Evening star., 1960-05-21
Fight Launched
At Convention
OF Democrats
By ALEX PRESTON
Star Stan Writer

State Convention today in a
struggle to re-establish Vir-
ginia's party loyalty at the ma
tional convention in July.
There were growing signs
from Gov. Almond and other
key party figures that this year
may see the Virginia party or
ganization making an all-out
effort for the national presi-
dental ticket. This would be
in contrast to the somewhat
lethargic effort it made for Ad-
lai Stevenson against President
Eisenhower in 1852 and 1856.
Virginia went Republican in
both elections.
AS the State Convention
prepared to elect delegates with
80 votes to the presidential
nominating convention in Los
Angeles, a group of loyal Dem
ocratS held a private meeting
and named a seven-member
Strategy Committee empow-
cred to go into action if today's
conclave shows any signs Of
bolting the party.
Three From Fairfax
Three of the seven members
are from Fairfax. They are
County Democratic Chairman
Augusta C. johnson; John c.
Webb, member of the House of
Delegates, and Graham Morri-
son, a former assistant attorney
general in the Truman Ad-
ministration.
They were appointed at a
closed-door meeting of the
Straight Ticket Democratic
Committee which came in to
being several weeks ago at
Charlottesville.
-Four delegates and two alter
mates to the national conven-
ton were selected at a 10th dis
trict caucus this morning. They
are:
Mrs. Ellen Oshins and Walter
T. Skallerup, jr., of Fairfax;
Mayor Leroy Bendheim of Alex
andria and David B. Kinney,
Arlington, as delegates; and
Henry H. Fowler, Alexandria,
and Lawrence D. Langley, Ar
lington, as alternates.
The closed-door meeting last
night agreed on several points
announced by Gov. Almond at
a press conference earlier in
the day. Gov. Almond told re-
porters that IF I 60 as a
delegate Ito the national con-
vention) I shall be bound to
support the nominee"
1t is almost a foregone con-
cluSion that the Governor,
following tradition, will be
elected chairman of the dele
CATION to Los Angeles.
Gov. Almond is expected to
be named chairman of the
Resolutions Committee at to-
days session.
He said that it was his per-
sonal opinion that no resolu-
tions should be adopted either
favoring a candidate or pre-
venting the Virginia delegation
from supporting the nominee
Of the national party.
Speaking as a delegate" he
said, "it is my personal feeling
the State convention should
not instruct its delegation Ito
the national convention) for
any particular candidate.
II have expressed a personal
opinion as favoring Senator
johnson (of Texas but I feel
the delegation should go to the
convention uninstructed.
II feel there is no doubt
that the Virginia delegation
will support Senator johnson
as long as his name is before
the convention"
Senator Byrd, head of the
States most powerful politi-
cal organization. also has ex-
pressed preference for Sena-
tor johnson.
Favors Unit Rule
The Governor said he fa-
vors following the custom of
having Virginia cast its 33
votes under the unit rule, vot-
ing as a bloc for the candidate
favored by a majority of the
delegation.
The Governors views were
close to the views adopted by a
steering committee of the
Straight Ticket Democratic
group. This group. with Dele
gate Robert Whitehead as its
chairman, said it would appear
before the Resolution Commit
tee to urge that delegates be
sent uninstructed to the ma
tional convention: that today's
convention adjourn for keeps
rather than recess: and that
any resolutions suggesting dis
loyalty to the national conven-
ton be vigorously opposed.
Gov. Almond said that while
he was for Senator johnson,
any of the three others promi-
nently mentioned would get his
whole-hearted support if nomi-
mated.
These are Adlai Stevenson,
Senator Kennedy of MaSsachu-
sets and Senator Symington
Of Missouri.
And I would express the
hope that the Democratic Party
as constituted in Virginia will
and energetically sup
port the nominee of the Ma
tional convention" he said.
II will be glad to speak for
the ticket If I feel that would
be a service"
At a meeting of the State
Central Committee last night,
Committeeman Fred