Evening star., 1953-04-30
Almond Ruling
Arlington
G.O.P.P|ans
Action Prevents
Primary Because
OF Technically
BY Alex R. Preston

Oy Alex \. PRESTON
A Republican primary this
year in Arlington has been ruled
out by Virginia Attorney General
j. Lindsay Almond, jr.
He held that Bennie l..
Fletcher. jr., had been improp-
erly certified to the Arlington
Electoral Board as one Of two
candidates for the G. o. P. NOM
ination to the County Board.
Mr.. Almond gave his opinion
to Levin Mock Davis. secretary
Of the State Board Of Elections.
Mr.. Davis told the Attorney Gen.
eral that Mr.. Fletcher had paid
his $36 filing fee April 16, or one
day after the deadline, but had
filed his declaration of candidacy
with the party chairman on the
previous day.
Mr.. Almond said that Robert
L. Groom, who resigned as party
chairman Tuesday, had improp-
erly certified Mr.. Fletcher to the
county Electoral Board when .
receipt for the filing fee did not
accompany the declaration Of
candidacy.
No G. o. p. Contests.
Removal of Mr.. Fletcher from
the race leaves the Republicans
with no contests. The other
County Board candidate is
Richard L. Parli. In addition,
only two candidates. Raymond
F. Belew and Robert A. McGin-
mis-. have filed for the G. o. P.
nomination to the House Of
Delegates. Three seats are open.
Republicans may nominate can
didates for Governor and other
Statewide Offices at a convention
in June.
Democrats, meanwhile, will
hold a primary for State Offices
and in Arlington, six have fled
for the House of Delegates seats.
One Of them, George p. Grove,
came out today for establish
ment of junior college for the
Northern Virginia area.
He said that if Arlington is
not able to afford a Junior COL
lege, he would seek funds to
establish the institution there In
cooperation with other commu-
mites and the University Of Vir-
ginia.
According to a progress re-
port issued by the University
Extension Division" Mr.. Grove
said, there is an increasing
desire and need for educational
opportunities in this community
and. in my opinion. Arlington
should lead the way"
Mr.. Grove also said, '"Thou-
sands of children in this area,
who otherwise would not be able
to pursue their education fur
ther, could obtain two years of
higher education at only q
nominal COST"
Fenwick Reception Planned.
In other developments in
Arlington, a steering committee
for State Senator Charles r.
Fenwick, Democratic candidate
for Governor, was planning a
reception for him June 18 at
the home Of Mrs. Harry K.
Green, widow of the longtime
political leader and county
commissioner Of revenue.
Until Mr.. Green's death, SINH
lar receptions were held atNthe
home for nearly every Governor
beginning with Harry F. Byrd,
now a Senator. The last recep-
ton of this nature was for Gov.
Battle four years ago.
Members name dto the Steer
ing Committee besides Mrs.
Green are Mrs. Laura r. Boldin,
chairman; Mrs. Beulah Goss.
Mrs. Winona Payne. Mrs. Fred
Bach, Mrs. Natalie Strand, Mrs.
George Leder. Mrs. Ellen De-
marest, Mrs. Dorcas Mitman,
Mrs. Lyle Prince. Mrs. Homer
Bauserman and Mrs. Viola
Cooke.
Arlington campaign workers for
former Representative Thomas
B. Stanley. Mr.. Fenwick's OPP
ponent, meanwhile. were plan
ming 70 open headquarters at
ITO North Glebe road.
This is at the old Republican
headquarters from which Rep
resentative Broyhill successfully
campaigned last year. The
headquarters is opposite the
Hecht Co. and large letters were
being painted on the front to-
day, in easy view of thousands
of store customers. Although
telephones have been installed
and Office furniture is being
moved in, the headquarters may
not be formally opened until
May 10 when Mr.. Stanley is
planning to appear in Arling-
to speak before the Women's
Democratic Club.