Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-17
Fight Certain for Control of
Maryland Legislature.
LEE AND MARBURY IN RACE
Former for Presidency of Senate,
Latter for Speakership.
PROGRESSIVES VS.. MACHINE
Senator Price and Delegate Osborn
Other Two Posi-
man Keeping Hands Off.
pecial Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
BALTIMORE, Md, December Is. 1911.
There is every indication that the state
senate and house of delegates will be
organized by the democrats only after a
bitter fight Senator Price of Wicomico
county and Senator Lee Of Montgomery
county are candidates for the presidency
OF the upper house and will remain until
one or the other is declared elected The
same situation applies to the house,
where Henry A Osborn of Hartford and
OSle Marbury of Prince Georges are
both after the Speakership. Marbury is
the organization candidate while Osborn
is backed by the progressive element
that is booming Lee for the presidency
Of the senate. 1t is known that efforts
have been made to induce Withdrawals
in order that the democrats may or
ganize both branches OF the legislature
without a bruising fight, which seems
certain under existing conditions.
The organization democrats realize that
a fight may ultimately result in a coall-
ton between the progressive democrats
and the republicans, which would result
in the enactment of certain reform legs-
lation to which the democratic machine
is unalterably opposed. The ring lead
SIS WOuiQ IKE 10 redO Blair Lee out OF
the party, but they know that he has
become a figure in state politics to be
reckoned with and they are not hunting
for trouble In that direction. They are
mindful Of the fact that in the state
primary the Lee forces won out handily
in the counties, despite the fact that
Senator John Walter Smith and his lieu
tenants put forth every effort to give
German majority in the state.
German Looking to Future.
The attitude Of former Senator German,
the defeated candidate for governor. is
causing the leaders much concern. 1t is
stated upon the best of authority that
Mr.. German will not mix In the present
squabble. and that he will remain a
''Iooker-on in Venice" during the coming
session. German is looking to the future,
and he is not going to line up with
either faction In the fight ahead. he
hopes some day to become the Governor
of Maryland. and to eventually occupy
the seat held by his father IN the Senate
of the United States German has been
importuned to use his influence in effect
ing an amicabe settlement OF the fight
which the party is facing, but he has
turned a deaf ear to all urging, and re-
fused to take any active part in the at
fairs of the party at the present time
The delegation from Howard county will
be free to act without any suggestion
German is going to put 1t up to the men
who forced him into the primary fight.
and subsequent defeat to work out the
salvation of the party in it's present Con-
dition.
The plan of the machine to deprive the
incoming governor of some of his powers
has been practically abandoned and no
reactionary move Is anticipated between
induction into office of Gov.-ele Colds
borough The proposed plan has been
vigorously assailed by the better class of
democrats and leaders have become some
what chary of the scheme, which in effect
had for Its purpose the thwarting of the
will of the people as expressed at the
polls last November. The price demanded
by Gov. Crothers-the absolute control Of
the good roads commission by Crothers,
even after he left office-was too much
even for the old stagers In the Maryland
game They have, therefore, decided to
bow to the Inevitable and take their
chances with the republican governor.
For Big Sewage Plant.
Early In the session the general assem-
bly, will be asked for an appropriation to
survey a large tract of land in Montgom-
cry and Prince Georges counties for
sewage disposal plant and this action
will mark one OF the greatest construc-
ton projects ever launched in Maryland.
he pldn Is DelLS IoSteTcu US the STATE
board of health. The cost will mount into
the millions and will probably involve
complications that will consume many
years and much legislation to overcome.
At present nearly all the sewage from the
territory outside the District of Columbia,
taking in numerous small towns. suburbs
and villages, is flowing through Washing
ton polluting Rock creek, which trav-
erses the capitals most beautiful suburb
and runs through its prettiest park.
There will probably arise many difficult
ties from legal standpoint because there
are the several jurisdictions to consider.
The federal government will have to pass
an act, the various townships will have to
accede. the general assembly will have to
legislate and county commissioners will
have a say. The subject was discussed at
the meeting of the state board of health
this week which attended by Asa r.
Phillips. superintendent of the Washing
ton sewerage department. Mr.. Phil
lips advised that the state board of health
map out a policy Of procedure and then go
before the legislature. The plan that will
probably be adopted will be TO ask an APP
preparation Of $1,000 for surveys and In
vestigation and to report to the general
assembly Of 1914.