Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-02
Robson, Henderson Vie
In Stote's Hottest Race
BY ALEX r. PRESTON
Star stan Correspondent


Congress-eight Democrats and
two ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
tive E. j. Robson. jr., appears
to be the one facing the most
serious challenge for reelection.
The man to watch in Tues
days congressional returns is
Horace E. Henderson, 39-year-
old former national president of
the United States Junior Cham
Der of Commerce.
He is waging a hitting
grass-roots fight to dislodge the
66-year-old Democrat who has
represented this area for six
years. Mr.. Robson is a retired
vice president of the Newport
News Shipbuilding g. Dry Dock
Co.
In common with many people
In this southeastern section of
Virginia, both are natives of
North Carolina. But there the
resemblance ends.
A Study in Contrasts
Their methods of campaigning
is a study in contrasts.
Mr.. Henderson has shaken
hands, visited countless homes
and spoken at meetings at every
opportunity in every corner of
this geographically freakish dis
trict which spans Chesapeake
Bay and Hampton Roads to
take in the Lower Peninsula,
the Eastern Shore and a part
of Eastern Virginia.
Until about two weeks ago no
one had seen Mr.. Robson at
public meetings in the present
campaign. Until that time he
seemed content to let the usually
powerful organization re-elect
him.
Resigns Position
Last April Is Mr.. Henderson
resigned his job in Washington
as consultant to the International
Cooperation Administration to
run for Congress. He immedi-
ately launched his campaign
based on the charge that Mr..
Robeson's record is that of a
"do-nothing Congressman
II knew the Democrats were
unhappy with him." Mr.. Hender-
son said. land l knew two or
three other Democrats were
about to get into the primary
against him, l had to decide
whether to wait and let them
fight it out among themselves
and then take on the winner. or
whether to come out with my
announcement early.
"I'm glad I announced early.
I kept the others out of the race
and now ] am running against a
man who has lot of his own
people unhappy"
The Democratic organization
of the LIST district is suffering
from internal dissension. An
argument being advanced by
some Democrats runs something
like this:
"Stick with us and re-elect
Robson this time. Well knock
him of with another Democrat
in the next primary. But don't
let Republican get in now"
Recognized Reports
Mr.. Robson himself, politically
recognized these reports shortly
after he began making campaign
appearances last week. He told
a Princess Anne County rally that
a general election was no place
for Democrats to defeat Demo-
cratic candidate. The time, he
said, should be in the primary
when another Democrat could
take his place.
Sidney Kellam, head of a.
powerful Democratic machine in
Princess Anne County, appears to-
be showing considerable concern
over the current race. For the
first time within memory of some
observers. Mr.. Kellam is person.
ally stumping for a candidate.
Usually he prefers to work quietly
behind the scenes as manipu-
lator.
One possible reason for this
unusual activity is that Mr..
Henderson may have strong
support in the populous Lower
Peninsula area with its three
cities of Newport News, Hamp-
ton. and Warwick.
Merger Is Hot Issue
A record vote in these three
cities is expected Tuesday. The
overshadowing issue here is a
holly contested referendum
question on whether the three
shall merge into one city. The
question eclipses the presidential
and congressional elections in
the minds Of many voters.
Consequently. as Mr.. Hehder-
sons strength does lie in these
cities, a record turnout Of voters
may work to his advantage. The
three cities cast about so per
cent of the total vote of the
district.
Princess Anne County, which
includes Virginia Beach, is a
populous suburb Of the city of
Norfolk. Norfolk. itself. is in
the End congressional district
Mr.. Kellam is understood to be
the one who issued orders about
two weeks ago that If Mr..
Robson wanted to win this cleo
ton, he would have to get out
and work for it.
Paid No Attention
when ! got in this race" Mr..
Henderson said. Il went to see all
the big politicians-who hap
pened to be Democrats. I said,
I know you can't support me:
just don't do anything to hurt
me-
But they didn't pay any at
tention to young Republican
upstart like me and I'm glad