Evening star., 1922-07-17
DEMOCRAT MOSES
HOPE IN MARYLAND
Party Leaders in Quandary
Over Selection of Sena-
toriaI Candidate.
WANT GOVERNOR TO ACT
W. c. Bruce, Robert E. Lee and
Van Lear Black Mentioned
for Consideration.
WANT GOVERNOR TO ACT
Dispatch To The Star

BALTIMORE, July 1.-THE anti
France republicans having selected
John w. Garrett as their candidate to
enter the primary contest against
Senator Joseph Irwin France. and MIR.
Garrett having accepted and filed his
papers, political interest is now CEN
tered on what candidate the demo-
Gratis will line up behind.
So far neither of the two aspirants
in the field, David j. Lewis of Alle-
gany and William I. Norris of Balti
more city. has developed sufficient
strength, to cause the party to con-
slider their candidacy seriously, and
party leaders are now looking around
for Moses to lead them out of the
wilderness.
Strong pressure, 1t is reported. is
being brought to bear upon Gov.
Ritchie to take the lead in calling a
leaders for the purpose of drafting"
a candidate who would receive the
united support of the various fac
tions of the party.
Situation In n Muddle.
The situation is in a muddle. Every
democrat admits this. The party is
drifting along like a ship without a
rudder. Senator Smith. many leaders
think. is no longer in position to call
didate. This is largely the result of
the Wade case, which hurt the Smith
faction and has caused something of
break in the counties.
On the other hand. the governors
position is stronger. and for that rea-
son leaders friendly to both factions
think it is now up to the governor to
call conference, attempt to bring
harmony in the party and pick can
didate.
But even on the question of calling
conference the leaders do not seem
opinion that the democratic state CEN
tral committee should be called to-
gether and select the candidate. This
plan has its origin in the Mahon-
Kelly camp in Baltimore. 1t is re-
garded as being just as friendly
gestion. but it would probably be op-
posed by party leaders who just now
are in powerful position.
Think Governor Should Lead.
The leaders who think the state
central committee should act take the
view that the governors relations
with State Senator William /. Norris.
of obligation. would make 1t embar-
RAISING for him to call the confer
ence.
On the other hand. the leaders who
think that the governor should take
such step feel that he could do
They point out that all that would
be necessary for him would be to
call the conference of leaders and
lay before them the situation with
out expressing any opinion. and then
withdraw from any active participa-
tion.
Some of the leaders feel that he Is
really justified. on account of the
position he occupies in the party, in
taking an active part in the select
ing of a candidate for the sake of
the party. 1t is further pointed out
in this camp that the central COM
mittee would probably do just about
as the bosses say, and that the re-
suit would be boss picked candi-
date"
Bruce Has Opposition.
With the withdrawal of Hugh A.
McMullen of Allegheny. and his posi-
tive announcement that under no cir
cumstances would he be a candidate,
other eiigibles have been brought for
ward this week. the latest one being
William Cabell Bruce, general counsel
to the public service commission.
While Mr.. Bruce undoubtedly has
ability. is of senatorial timber, and
mas money. he is not regarded as
sote-getter by the leaders. Further
more. they point to his defeat at
the hands of former Congressman
David ]. Lewis six years ago, and also
10 the fact that he Is connected with
that so-called political graveyard"
the public service commission.
The name of another state commits
sion man has been prominently men,
TONED in connection with the sena-
torial race this week. This is Robert
Ia oh a airr nf hN
cident commission. A new boom
comes for him, according to rumors,
from Allegheny county. the home Of
Lewis. 1t is reported that there is
a strong movement among the wet
and liberal element Of the party and
also among McMullen men for him
Lee, 1t is said, Is in a receptive mood
and would not hesitate to enter the
field il he was assured of sufficient
backing from the party leaders
Van Lear Black Named.
Van Lear Black, one of the owners
OF the Baltimore Sun, has also been
mentioned lately as a possible dark
horse" When the senatorial pot
first began to boil there were those
who spoke of Mr.. Black as the type
of man who might fittingly become
portant office. Impeccable financially.
with broad knowledge Of men and
affairs. he seemed in many Respects
almost the ideal candidate. But
friends of Mr.. Black said he did not
want the nomination.
More recently. however. other friends
OF his have intimated that he is not
immune to senatorial ambitions and
that the prospect of the nomination.
properly presented, might not prove a
wholly unattractive picture to him,
Considerable significance is also at
tached to the fact that Mr. Black had
as his guest on a yachting trip this
week Gov. Ritchie, and that the gov
ernor admitted upon his return that
politics had been discussed, but refused
to give any further particulars
In reply to request Of a committee
representing the anti-France element
OF the party as to the attitude of the
republican state committee in regard
to the candidacy Of John W. Garrett,
Chairman Galen L. TAFT has made it
plain that the organization intends to
maintain strict neutrality in the pri-
mary, but will line up solidly behind
the successful candidate.
Cameron Strong for France.
George w. Cameron. chairman of the
republican city committee. on the other
hand. Is outspoken in his advocacy of
Senator France and admits that he is
doing ~ best to line up the city in the
primary fight. He said the France
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