Evening star., 1952-03-16
Tuck Indorses
Stanley for s.
Governor Race
Amends Statement
Afterwurd to Make
Date Indefinite
BY the Assoeioted Press

3M1Axt A4NO N4AACi, td., MAI. Id.
Former Gov. William M. Tuck
said here today he hopes that
circumstances will be such in
1853" that Representative Stanley
will be nominated and elected
Governor of Virginia.
The statement. made at a lunch
con given by Representative STAN
ley for Fifth District Democrats,
sounded like the first Endorsement
of possible gubernatorial candi-
date by major political figure in
the State.
But Mr.. Tuck, from his home in
South Bostan, declared later that
he had not meant to be so specific.
He said his intended meaning was
that he hoped Representative
Stanley might be nominated and
elected by the Democrats "at a
later time"
Stanley Is Grateful
Representative Stanley said
only, II am grateful to MIR. Tuck
for what he said"
Mr.. Tuck is at present Fifth
District Democratic chairman and
since Representative Stanley is
Congressman from the district,
the statement was not a complete
surprise.
But it had the effect of project
ing the upcoming governorship
race of 1858 into the open. Rep
reSentative Stanley has not an
nounced for the governorship but
is known to be considering max
ing the race. He has announced
that he will seek reelection to
Congress.
Today's luncheon at which Mr..
Tuck spoke followed a meeting
OF the 5th District Democratic
Committee. The committee de-
cided to wait until the State Cen
tral Committee acts before max
ing up its mind whether to nomi-
nate its congressional candidate
by primary or convention.
Questioned Later.
Reporters attending the lunch
con didn't catch Mr.. Tuck's ex-
act words. But the former Gov
ernor telephoned the Martinsville
Daily Bulletin later and quoted
himself as follows on the subject
Of Representative Stanley:
First things come first. I hope
to see him renominated and re-
elect to the Congress of the
United States.
"And while it is some distance
away. I would not be fortnight
unless. candidly stated, as a
citizen and one interested in con-
of good government and
longtime friend of Representa-
tive Stanley, it is my hope that
circumstances will be such in 1853
that he will be nominated and
elected Governor of the Common
wealth of Virginia"
Reached later by the Danville
Mr.. Tuck said his state
ment should have been that "it
is my hope circumstances may
be such that he will be nomi-
mated at a later time for Gov
ernor of the Commonwealth of
Virginia"
May Become Chairman.
The latter version would not put
the finger squarely on 1853, when
a battle Of Democratic Iorganiza-
ton men may be in prospect for
the nomination by the party.
Other Organization" men men
toned as possible candidates, be-
sides Representative Stanley, are
Attorney General J. Lindsay Al
mond, jr., 1t. Gov. L. Preston
Collins and State Senator Charles
r. Fenwick of Arlington.
Delegate Robert Whitehead is
a probable candidate for the NOM
ination, too. He is the chief
spokesman for the "anti-organiza-
ton" Democratic forces in the
State.
Mr.. Tuck's statement today
might take on even more sig
nif1cance should he become the
next Democratic State chairman.
succeeding G. Alvin MasSenburg
OF Hampton. Some Democratic
leaders have said privately they
expect Mr.. Massenburg to step
down March "a when the State