Evening star., 1953-06-08
Apathy Marks
Virginia Race
For Governor
Republican Droft
Of Senator Dalton
Held Possibility
BY the Assoeieted Press

BY the Assoeioted Press
RICHMOND, Va, June g.
five weeks from
now. Virginia Democrats will go
to the polls to nominate man
who may be governor of the
State for the next four years.
The July IA primary election
will climax what many political
observers regard as the most list
less gubernatorial campaign in
recent times.
Unless some "big issue" flares
up in the homestretch, it's the
consensus of seasoned politicians
that the turnout of voters will be
extremely light. Their best guess
is a vote totaling but two-thirds
of the $4,000 ballots cast in the
torrid four-way gubernatorial
clash in 1949.
Dalton Draft Hinted.
Never in the history of the Old
Dominion have the Republicans
had man in the governors
mansion in Richmond. The
G. o. P. hasn't picked its candi-
date yet, but will do so June 20
at a convention in Roanoke.
The party's leaders are fairly
solidly lined up behind one of
their popular members, state
Senator Ted Dalton, who is also
G. o. P. national committeeman.
Mr.. Dalton has repeatedly said
he's not interested in running.
But there is a strong move afoot
to draft the 48-year -old Radford
attorney.
If Mr.. Dalton runs, his chan
ces will hinge upon support from
Democrats such as that enjoyed
by President Eisenhower and the
three Republican congressman
who were elected in Virginia
last fall.
High Court Ruling Awaited.
In the Democratic race, there
is feeling among observers that
what is needed to pep up the
race between state Senator
Charles r. Fenwick and former
Congressman Thomas B. STAN
ley is a big issue"
There is possibility a big
issue" may develop if the Su-
preme Court hands down its
long-expected ruling on segre-
cation in the public schools.
Should the court order an end
to segregation, Mr.. Fenwick and
Mr.. Stanley would be on the
spot to tell how they think the
suspension should be handled in
Virginia, which has always
maintained separate schools for
white and Negro.
Public education has already
been given top billing by the
candidates in their platforms.
Each has promised to push for
higher salaries for teachers and
to improve retirement programs.
Both recognize a need for more
claSSrooms and continued school
construction. They have called
for reappropriations of unused
balances of the so-called Battle
school fund.
Cites Specific Figures.
Mr.. Fenwick has been more
specific in citing figures for edu-
cation and has outlined his aims
clearly. Mr.. Stanley has said
he deems it "unwise" to set
dollar figures until more is known
about the States prospective
revenues.
Mr. FenWick advocated a new
$4,000 minimum for teaches paw
to replace the present $4,000.
Mr.. Stanley favors as much in
creases as sound government
will permit"
On school construction, MIR.
FenWick proposes to put SIS mil
lion in the State literary fund
for loans to localities, thus help
ing them utilized Battle fund
grants. He also urges quick pas
sage Of constitutional amend.
ments so that localities may bor-
row direct from the State re-
tirement funds.
Both candidates have indorsed
higher appropriations for men,
tai hospitals, tuberculosis hos
pitals, promotion of tourist trade.
agriculture and secondary roads.
Seeks Vote on Poll Tax.
Mr.. Stanley hasn't committed
himself on poll tax repeal, while
Mr.. Fenwick has called for sub
mission of simple set of repeal
amendments to popular vote.
The Arlington legislator also
believes it would be more eff
cient to hold annual budget
making sessions of the General
Assembly. He says the State
can't see far enough ahead to
prepare budgets to run for two
years.
Mr.. Stanley opposes annual
legislative sessions as unneces-
Sary and declares the method
would weaken the high caliber"
OF Virginia's legislature.