Evening star., 1952-07-19
Miller Charges
Add 10 Worries
0fvirginians
Anti-Byrd Leader
Demands Pledge to
Back Porty's Choice

BY the Assoeia,si Press

Virginia's Democratic political
problems multiplied rapidly today
as Francis Pickens Miller, anti
organization leader VINO was de-
feated by Senator Byrd in Tues
days senatorial primary, added
further complications to an all
ready confused delegation to the
Chicago convention.
Mr.. Miller last night called on
the National Democratic Party to
force the Virginia delegation to
sign a pledge that they will sup
port the party nominees in No
vember.
There was some doubt, however,
that Mr.. Miller's demand was
causing the State Democratic
leaders as much trouble as Sena-
tor Russell's swing closer to Presi-
dent Truman.
Mr.. Miller's latest attack was
in the form of a telegram to Cal
win w. Rawlings, National Con-
vention Credentials Committee
chairman, and National Demo-
cratic Chairman Frank E. McKin-
ney. He said:
Since Virginia's delegates have
not yet been certified. and since
they represent a political faction
which has given evidence of being
dlSloyal to the Democratic party
and Of having allied itself with
the Republican party. I respect
fully request that before certi-
Tying them, the Credentials Com
mittee require each delegate to
take a pledge to support the
nominees of the Democratic Ma
tional Convention in the forth
coming Presidential election"
Cites Convention Manual.
Mr.. Miller said the manual for
the Democratic National Conven-
tlon provides that "the names of
all delegates and alternates (be>
certified to the National Commit
tee not less than Is days prior to|
the opening of the convention.
Virginia'S 28-vote delegation was
chosen in Roanoke Thursday, just
four days ahead of Mondays
convention start at Chicago.
He also charged that more than
$4,000 Republicans voted in Tues
days primary in support of SEN
ator Byrd. He said "the top
men who run the party machinery
in the State of Virginia owe their
election to Republican votes, and
their organization has received
financial assistance from Pennsyl-
vania Republicans"
Delegation Uninstructed.
Meanwhile, Senator Russelps
Wednesday night statement that
he favored drastic revision of the
Taft-Hartley Labor Act was felt
Thursday when the Virginia dele
cation was left uninstructed in
stead Of committed to the Geor-
gian, as had been expected in ad-
vance Of the State convention.
Then Senator Russell said
Thursday night that he'd support
Mr., Truman in the event the Pres
tdent were Democratic nominee.
Senator Bydr said just before
he left last night for Chicago that
he would rather not say anything
now. Things are confused enough
as it is"
He said he guessed he'd see SEN
ator Russell in Chicago but that
no meeting had been arranged for
any special time. And he stressed
that he himself is mot in any
sense or in any respect a candi-
date"
Gov. Battle refused comment on
Senator Russell's statement about
Mr.. Truman, but said it would
not surprise me at all" if Senator
Byrd's name is placed in nomina-
ton. He said he considered the
Senator "eminently qualified" to
be President but added that he
knew of no such move.
Both men SHE'D away from any
anti-Russell sentiment just now.