Two High-Tone Contests of Issues and Ideology

How Times Have Changed

He is the quintessential Southern gentleman: scion of a moneyed North Carolina family, graduate of Princeton University ('41) and Harvard Law School ('49), and recipient of a Bronze Star for bravery as a lieutenant aboard a destroyer at Okinawa during World War II. Now 61, Richardson Preyer entered Congress in 1969 and quickly earned a reputation on both sides of the aisle as a soft-spoken legislator of uncompromising integrity, high talent and moderate views. Democratic Congressman Morris Udall of Arizona described him as "one of the most decent and intelligent gentlemen in this or any other legislative body." Two years ago, Preyer spent only $18,274 to win reelection against token opposition.

But, as Preyer acknowledges, "these are not normal times." This year he is locked in a fierce battle with a harddriving, conservative Republican: Eugene Johnston, 44, a graduate of Wake Forest Law School ('61) and self-made millionaire. Johnston is chief stockholder and president of Fisher-Harrison Corp., a graphics company in Greensboro with annual sales of $10 million, and of Johnston Properties Inc., a real estate firm with holdings worth more than $5 million. Says Johnston: "Richardson Preyer is a nice, honest man who votes his convictions. But he does not represent our interests at all."

Preyer supports increased military spending, but also increased aid to the elderly, farm price supports, and the development of alternative energy sources. When asked why, as a Presbyterian elder who has been married for 34 years and has five children, he does not make an issue of Johnston's three divorces, Preyer replies, "It would be mudslinging."

Johnston has focused his campaign on economic issues. At High Point's Civitan Club last week, he dramatically unrolled a 15-ft. chart showing the growth of the federal debt since 1941. Says Johnston: "Big Labor doesn't cause inflation. Big Business doesn't cause inflation. Big Oil doesn't cause inflation. Big Brother causes inflation." Johnston promises to re-evaluate the windfall-profits tax on oil companies and to slash federal income taxes by 30%. Says he: "The issue this fall is not between Republicans and Democrats. It is between those who want to vote themselves a living and those who want to work for a living."

Faced with such rhetoric, Preyer has lately loosened the gloves. Calling Johnston a "member of the radical right," Preyer says, "He wants to repeal the 20th century. What I'm concerned about is the 21st. "Johnston has quickly turned the phrase to his own advantage. Sure he is a radical, says Johnston, "the right radical."

Try, Try Again

The oldest Crane brother, Philip, 49, won election to Congress from Illinois on his first try, in 1969. Brother Daniel, 44, who also lives in Illinois, won on his second try, in 1978. Now Brother David, 43, a psychiatrist from Martinsville, Ind., is trying to win--on his third try. David Crane, a conservative Republican like his brothers, lost in 1976 by 19,000 votes to Democratic Congressman David Evans, 34, a former social studies teacher, and by 5,800 votes to Evans in 1978. Says the incumbent: "I don't know why he is running again. Maybe his family regards him as an underachieves Hasn't he got the message yet?"

This year's message seems aimed more at Evans, and it is not good. His district, which includes part of Indianapolis, is expected to vote heavily for Ronald Reagan, which could give Crane a powerful boost. To prevent that from happening, Evans is ringing doorbells as doggedly as a Fuller Brush salesman. Says he: "Knocking on doors, touching hands with people and listening to them is the only way I can win." The Indianapolis Star has described his congressional voting record as "almost indistinguishable from a moderately conservative Republican." He voted for the Republican-proposed 30% tax cut, deregulation of natural gas, and a $19 billion increase in defense spending in fiscal 1981. But he also voted against the B-l bomber. Says Evans: "I'm an independent voice."

The genial, curly-haired Crane's strategy is to turn the campaign into a crusade to restore the traditional, small-town American values. Says he: "The direction that the national Government has taken is far different from the America in which I was brought up. We have to make a strong commitment to the concept of limited Government and individual responsibility."

He attacks Evans for failing to vote to expel Michigan Democrat Charles Diggs from Congress last year, after Diggs was convicted of falsifying congressional payrolls, and then voting two weeks ago to expel Philadelphia Congressman Michael Myers, who was convicted of taking bribes in the FBI's Abscam investigation. Charges Crane: "Evans applied a double standard. Honesty in Government is perhaps the most important issue in this election."

Crane has enough money left in his $300,000 budget for a last-minute TV blitz. But Evans, who has a $225,000 budget, is running short of funds and has to rely on a makeshift approach to reach large numbers of voters. Taking a tip from the old Burma Shave advertisements, he is setting up a series of signs on a busy highway in the district. They read: I'M NOT A LAWYER/ OR A DOCTOR/ DON'T CHARGE HIGH FEES/ I'M HERE WHEN YOU NEED ME/ AND THERE WHEN IT COUNTS/ RE-ELECT DAVE EVANS. Starting this week, Evans will stand by the final sign, waving to motorists during rush hours.

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