Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-11

SuLt0n.
do not compete for attention
with dominating national
problems.
This is a perfect example
of the half-truth technique
that the Senator would do
well to avoid.
The Senator claims that
the Virginia Constitution is
silent on the subject Of cleo
lions and ridicules my high
tribute" to that worthy docu-
ment. However, Section l22
does provide for municipal
elections on the second Tues
day in June, and ] repeat
that the statesmen who
framed this Constitution and
the wise men Of the General
Assembly who established
odd year elections to State
offices have done so to Sepa-
rate State and local elections
from national elections SO
that local issues are not
overshadowed by national
issues.
The Senator ignores the
fact that the Model City
Charter of the National Mu-
nicipal League states "mu-
nicipal elections should be
separated from State ana
national elections" They
are normally held in the
fan of odd numbered years
or in the spring OF the year.
The Senator says that
there has been no evidence
that Government employees
have refrained from particl-
patton in local elections held"
in even years. Since ! was
elected to Office in no small
measure as a result OF the
devoted work of Federal
employees who are unjustiy
denied the right to serve on
the governing body OF our
community, 1 can state cat
egorically that Federal EN-
ployes are particularly sensl-
tive to the penalties OF the
Hatch Act in years OF ma
tional elections. and many
would willingly participate
in campaigns for local oftice
discreetly sit at home. These
folks are my good friends
and supporters, and I know
them well. And I know
whereof 1 speak.
The Senator cites action
taken 20 years ago by the
Arlington Civic Federation
in support of his determine
ton to force even year cleo
lions on Arlington. / should
like to cite a motion adopted
this week by the Civic Fed
Grafton to the effect that the
best interests of the county
would be served" with mo"
vote on the Fenwick refer
endum. And the resolution
passed by the federation de-
clares its opposition on the
grounds that the referendum
does not allow the voters to
make a choice between even
and odd year elections.
The Senator argues that
County Board elections
should be held at the same
time as national elections
because more people vote at
these times and therefore
the democratic process will
function at its best. But the
Senator has skillfully chosen
July IS for his referendum,
and this will assure the
lightest possible vote. 1t is a
midsummer vacation date
with thousands Of voters
away from home. 1t is a
Democratic primary so that
Republicans will stay away
in droves and Federal en-
ployees now under a Repub-
lican administration will
shun the polls like the
plague. The word will go out,
ii is planned. and the rel
erendum will be approved by
the faithful organization few.
The Senator resorts to a
device employed by politi-
clans when the facts are
against them. He accuses
me of name calling" My
only personal reference to
him was the gentleman
who sped this legislation
through the General AS
sembly."
When the people know the
facts OF this situation they
will vote mo" on July Is.
David L. Krupsaw,
Vice. Chairman. County
Board of Arlington County.
Virginia.