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Fairmont Times
April 16, 1960

Aide Believes Humphrey Is More Relaxed

Former Fairmonter Says Tempo in State Slows Down Campaign Pace

Despite the rigors of his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota is "more relaxed" since he began meeting the people of West Virginia, a close associate said here yesterday.

Forrest Talbott, a Fairmont native who is now assistant secretary of Minnesota, arrived here yesterday as another advance man for Humphrey's trips through Northern West Virginia. He will work out of Fairmont for a week while visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Fred Talbott of 833 Emerson Street.

"Humphrey is a fast worker, a fast thinker and a fast talker," his associate for the past 12 years explained, "but in West Virginia he has found that people pace themselves more slowly and he has been able to cut down his pace somewhat to conform."

Talbott spent the past week in Charleston and vicinity and said he found "no anti-Humphrey feeling" anywhere he went. He said that the relationship between the Humphrey campaigners and those working in the interests of Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts had been of a friendly nature. Humphrey and Kennedy are the only entries in the non-binding presidential preferential primary in West Virginia May 10.

Humphrey wants to be President and is not a "shadowman" for any other candidate, Talbott asserted. He expressed confidence that the Minnesota liberal Democrat will carry West Virginia next month.

Details of Humphrey's visit here Monday, May 25, to address a fund-raising dinner arranged by the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee before the senator entered the presidential race, were revealed by Talbott.

A chartered bus carrying the candidate and his traveling aides, along with a contingent of press, radio and television representatives, will leave Charleston at 6 a.m. that day with the first stop scheduled two hours later in Summersville, where breakfast will be served in the Stonewall Jackson Grill. An open air speech will be given.

At Webster Springs, a 10 a.m. open air meeting is planned, with luncheon booked in Buckhannon and appearances in Philippi and Grafton during the afternoon. Arrival here is planned some time after 5 p.m. The $10 a plate dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Fairmont Hotel.

Humphrey will remain here overnight and then take off for Grafton, Kingwood, Keyser, Romney, Martinsburg, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry before rolling into Washington late Tuesday night, May 26.

Talbott also will arrange the itinerary for Humphrey's visit to the Northern Panhandle on May 5. He also will be in Clarksburg for a Jackson-Jefferson Day diner May 7 and will wind up his tour of the state in the northern section.

The Minnesota official, born here in 1916, left Fairmont in 1938 after his graduation from Fairmont State College. He taught at Weirton until 1942 and moved to Austin, Minn., where where [sic] he taught and engaged in business until he became assistant secretary of state 14 months ago.


Wife Coming

Muriel Humphrey, wife of Sen. Hubert Humphrey, will be in Fairmont from noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the interest of her husband's campaign for the presidency. Traveling in a trailer, she will hold a series of "coffees" and greet voters of the county. Her detailed schedule will be announced later.


Kennedy Hdq. Opened Here

Virginia Theater Lobby Selected for Drive

Headquarters of the Marion County Kennedy-for-President Club were opened yesterday in the lobby of the old Virginia Theater on Adams Street.

They will be formally inaugurated Monday when Sen. John F. Kennedy comes here to campaign in the state presidential preference primary. Plans were being discussed last night which may lead to a brief speaking appearance by the Massachusetts senator in the theater auditorium.

Furniture was moved into the old theater lobby yesterday and the marquee was re-lettered to designate the headquarters. A telephone, No. 3037, was installed.

Committee members said the headquarters will have someone on duty most of the time between now and the primary on May 10 when Kennedy faces Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota in a non-binding preferential election.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at which Kennedy will officiate has been tentatively planned during his visit here Monday.

Further plans for Kennedy's appearance in Fairmont were discussed at a meeting of the local steering committee last night. His schedule calls for his arrival in Fairmont about 11:15 a.m. He will remain here until 2:30 p.m. when he moves on to Morgantown.

Present plans call for him to speak from the courthouse plaza, eat lunch at the Palace Restaurant and visit the Owens-Illinois plant during his stay in Fairmont.


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