Evening star., 1952-08-01
BY Alex r. Preston

These statements were released
20 the press simultaneously. They
;ame while the possibility still re-
mains that Virginia may recon-
1ene its State Democratic Conven-
ion and throw its support to 9TH
RS than last weeks national slate
headed by Gov. Stevenson Of Illi-
1ois and Senator Sparkman of
Alabama.
Senator Byrd. the man whose
word could do more than that of
my one else to turn things around
n Virginia, won a smashing VIC
;ory for denomination in the pri-
nary two weeks ago.
I'm my campaign for renom-
nation during the primary" he
said, Il stood squarely on my
record and this I will continue
20 do"
Tuck and Battle Silent.
His position was believed to be
pretty much the same as that of
the two other top leaders in the
State-Gov. Battle and former
Gov. William M. Tuck, State party
chairman, who remained silent
Or were unavailable for COM
ment.
Senator Robertson, like those
who previously came out for the
Stevenson-Sparkman ticket, is
identified closely with the Byrd
organization in the State. Earlier
announcements came from State
Senator Charles r. Fenwick of
Arlington. chairman Of the 10th
Congressional District Democratic
Committee; Sidney Kellam of
Princess Anne County, a 1st dis
trict leader, and from State SEN
ator M. M. Long of Wise, 9th dis
trict nominee for the House.
Senator Robertson listed this
as one OF the reasons for his
position:
Second place on the ticket was
offered to the favorite candidate
of the South. Senator Richard
Russell (of Georgia. and then
given to another Southern man,
Senator John Sparkman."
This was contrary to the i'm
preston held by newsmen in Chi
cago. Senator Russell was firm
in his statements that he would
not consider a vice-presidential
nomination and neither Senator
Robertson nor Senator Russell
could be reached later today for
tlarif1cation of the reported offer.
Leaves for Scamp in Woods"
Senator Robertson's Office re-
ported he had left for a camp
in the woods" after making the
statement. Leeman Anderson,
administrative assistant to Sena-
tor Russell. said Senator Robert
sons statement was correct and
that the Virginian was among
those present when the offer was
made during a convention recess
late Friday afternoon when the
vice-presidential nominee was
considered.
"An honest and able man was
nominated for President who re-
fused to be placed under obliga-
ton either to President Truman
or the CO." Senator Robertson
said. During my brief stay in
Chicago I made a point of asking
some prominent Republican law
yers of that city about Stevenson
and all Of them assured me that
in addition to being absolutely
honest and very able. he was the
Woodrow Wilson type Of liberal
who believed in the American
system Of private enterprise and
who had demonstrated as Cover
nor Of Illinois his firm allegiance
to efficiency and economy in gov.
.ernment."
Points to '48 Ticket Bolt.
Senator Robertson also declared
that Senator Sparkman "felt 81
strongly about the Southern posi-.
ton on civil rights legislation that
he bolted the national ticket ir
1948."
tSenator Sparkman, accord
ing to the Associated Press,
denied that he was really a
bolter. Senator Robertson ap-
parently referred to the fact
that Alabama was one Of four
Southern States that voted for
the States Rights ticket in 1948.
| Senator Sparkman said that as
candidate for the Senate he
had sworn to uphold the entire
Alabama Democratic ticket.)
'The civil rights plank in tn.
1852 platform is less threatening
to the Southern viewpoint thar
the 1948 plank" Senator Robert.
son said.
"Our Virginia viewpoint OF
FEPC also is strengthened by tn,
fact that Gov. Stevenson has IN
dicated his belief that further .op
portunity for progress as the Stat,
and local level should be givel
before Federal action is con
sidered," Senator Robertson de
lclared. "and neither the Republi
lean platform nor the candidate
for President is committed to |,
compulsory FEPC,"