Evening star., 1954-12-24
Arlington Democrat,
Hold Private parIey
On Reid Successor
BY Alex r. Preston

BysAlex R. Preston
A half dozen Arlington County
Democratic ofice holders, repre-
senting the inner core" Of the
party, held private caucus yes
terday to discuss-among other
things--a possible successor for
Judge Hugh Reid Of the County
Court, .4,...
This 9unheralded get-together
pointed up something that has
been rumored around Court
house Square for some time now
that Judge Reid plans to drop
his Civil and Police Court duties
and devote his full attention to
presiding over the Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court.
Judge Reid declined to pub
licly affirm or deny this. During
the session Of the General As
sembly earlier this year, how.
ever. he was a frequent visitor
in Richmond during the prepa-
ration and advancement through
the Legislature of a bill to create
a separate juvenile court judge
ship. The biz passed.
Not Harmonious.
Those at the conclaye yester-
day, repeatedly called by State
Senator Charles r. FenWick,
long a leader Of the party; indi-
Gated that the discussions were
other than completely harmon
ious. From piecing bits Of in
formation from various sources
together, it was indicated some
friction developed not only over
the judgeskip matter but also
over possible candidates to OPP
pose two incumbent Democrats
who were present at the meet
ing.
According to some sources,
those participating In the caucus
incluaed Harrison Mann and j.
Maylaed Magruder, two Of Ar
1inst3iiS three members of the
Hot1se of Delegates and, long
identtiied as party organization
stalwartS. The third delegate,
Mrs. athryn Stone, who came
under attack from some organ
ization quarters during her cam
paign two years ago, was said
to have been absent yesterday.
Others on Hand.
Also present were Common
wealth's Attorney William j.
Hassan and Commissioner of
Revenue George Fischer, both of
whom may have Democratic pri-
mary opposition: Sheriff Carl
Taylor, and Court Clerk H. Bruce
Green. Mr.. Green, unlike the
others. does not have to face
an election next year, having
been elected to an eight-year
term four years ago.
Although Circuit Judge Walter |
T. Mccarthy viii fill the County
Court vacancy when 1t occurs,
members Of the Democratic |
Legislature which elects Judge |
Mccarthy to the circuit court,
could logically be expected to
suggest candidates for appoint
ment to the lower court. This
Is a common procedure In Vir-
ginia politics.
Among names banded about
In the judgeship conversation
were Paul D. Brown, now q sub
stitute judge who, in fact, now
handles most of Judge Reds
traffic cases; Hugh Cregger,
another substitute, who handles |
nearly all of the criminal cases; |
Wesley Cooper. now a member
Of the County Board; william c. |
Nemeth, former president Of the |
Arlington Democratic Club; |
Leslie Hall. and Chester Brasse.
May Be Vacancies.
Actually, there might be two
vacancies In this court next
year. Harry Thomas, associate
Judge. retires from the bench
next Friday.
II new Judge is appointed.
he would serve through next
year until the Office is filled
by election next November for
q four-year term commencing
January /, 1856.
Under the new legislation
however, Judge Reid would not
have to face an election con-
test because the bill provided
for appointment of the judge of
the Juvenile and Domestic Re-
lations Court by the Circuit
Court judge. Technically, Judge
Reid already has been appointed
to this role, where he now de-
votes much Of his time. Under
the new bill he will receive the
same salary+$s.000 a year-as
he now gets in his dual role
over the fuQ ao,,,-fS