Evening star., 1952-09-20
Battle Has Key Role
In Gov. Sfeyenson' 5
Invasion Of Virginia
By John v. Homer
siar Sfaff carra.nandsnt

Ssof Sfoff SofTespondent
/ RICHMOND. Va. Sept. 2o.-1n
his southern invasion today AdIai
Stevenson has nothing to fear
with respect to the warmth Of his
reception. He will be greeted
with genuine Virginia hospitality.
AS a presidential candidate,
however, he faces this practical
question:. Will prevailing political
winds in the Old Dominion push
him toward his White House goal
or buffet him OF the course?
That question is so hard to
answer right now that it's being
lodged by even the most seasoned
politicians and observers here.
| Almost to a man, the experts
are saying it's a toss-up between
Gov. Stevenson and Gen. Eisen-
hover in Virginia.
Assuming this to be true, the
Governors visit today is of ut
most Importance If he is to cap
ture the States IL electoral votes
in November.
Key Role for Gov. Battle.
Stevenson supporters in Rich
mond are confident their candi-
dates persuasive personality and
abilities as a speaker will help
convince Virginia that this is not
the time to desert the Democratic
Party. They are relying. too. on
the tremendously popular appeal
of Gov. Battle to help swing the
tide.
Fortunately for the Democrats,
Gov. Battle has agreed to intro
duce Gov. Stevenson for his ma
jor address tonight at the Mosque.
What the Governor of Virginia
says then about the Governor of
Illinois may well spell the differ
ence between a Stevenson victory
and a Stevenson defeat in the Old
Dominion.
Gov. Battle is in a difficult posi-
ton. He is genuinely fond Of the
Democratic nominee and has in
dorsed him for the presidency.
But he also is a member of SEN
ator Byrd's organization in Vir-
lginia and owes his election as
chief executive to the organiza-
ton. He is a close friend and ad-
mirer Of the Senator.
Tuck Also Antagonistic.
And every one knows Senator
Byrd's silence in the presidential
campaign means Senator Byrd
would not be at all disturbed to
see Virginia turn against the ma
tional Democratic Party this fall.
Many people believe he wants Vir-
ginia to vote for Gen. Eisenhower.
Even more antagonistic than
Senator Byrd is former Gov. Will
liam M. Tuck, third member of
the State Democratic high COM
mand.
Mr.. Tuck is so outraged by the
national Democratic organization
that he quit as party chairman in
Virginia rather than work for Gov.
Stevensen's election. And Bill
Tuck exerts much influence with
voters. =a4f
The Byrd silence and the Tuck
resignation are deplored by many
Democrats. But others are ap-
Iplauding these leaders in various
communities and their example
is being followed at the local level.
This adds up to trouble for the
Stevenson campaign-trouble so
serious that reliable public opinion
polls indicate an almost even
division Of support between Gov.
Stevenson and Gen. Eisenhower.
Aim at Good Showing.
Nelson Parker. the former Rich
mond Mayor who took over as
State Democratic chairman when
Mr.. Tuck quit. is working enthusi-
astically for the Stevenson ticket.
He and a large staff are deter
mined to make such showing
today during the candidates visit
that there will be no JOY left for
the hundry Republicans.
They count heavily on the re-
ceptions at Alexandria. Quantico,
Fredericksburg and Richmond to
turn the trick. Carefully they
avoided appearances in such places
as Ashland. where open hostility
to the Democratic cause could
hurt. They bank most on Gov.
Battles role as host to the NOM
inee at the mansion for dinner,
his introduction of Gov. Steven
son tonight and the candidate s
own winning personality.
The Democrats have to act this
week end.
Gen. Eisenhower himself will
invade the State next Friday. in
the windup Of his current whistle
StoD caYf1nai0n trim