The Washington times., 1922-07-02
FRANCE LOOKS
To COALITION
.T|CKET.IN ND.
Rejected by G. O.. P. He Is
Urged to Independent
Race for Senate.
BY FRANCIS p. DAILY.

#. OHlIeu oIdIcS OCHdIoh oooSP"
Irwin France of Maryland, read
out of the Republican party by
other G. o. P, State leaders at
the unofficial conference held at
Braddock Heights last Wednes-
day, will make the race as a
coalition or independent candi-
date. It is also predicted, al
though Gov. Albert C. Ritchie
has stated he will seek a second
term, that the Maryland chief
executive, will be the Demo
cratic nominee for the Senate
when the smoke of the primaries
clears away.
There are two outstanding
developments of the last few
days which have resulted from
the worst muddle Maryland poll
tics has known in twenty years.
One is the reputation of France
by the other G. o. P. leaders
who met at Braddock Heights,
and the consequent probability
that he will make a bid for
coalition nomination. The other
is the split between Governor
Richie and DR.. J. Hubert Wade,
chairman of the Democratic
State Central Committee. This
split became a chasm last week
when Governor Ritchie removed
DR.. Wade as a member of the
State Board of Prisons. Sup
porters of the governor declare
he has strengthened himself by
his break with DR.. Wade and
herald it as presaging his an
nouncement as a candidate for
the Senatorship.
Both Parties DemOralized.
In the meantime, those who as
sumo to speak as leaders in both
parties admit their organizations are
demoralized-vi ly shot to
pieces" by these factional fights. but
contend they will be able to restore
order during July and August and
face the September primaries with
party lines again sharply drawn and
intact.
BUIh party organizations however
are facing the primaries with empty
war chests. Senator France holds
O trump card in this phase of the
game. He is wealthy man and has
been the financial mainstay Of the
Republican party in Maryland in
past battles and would be keenly
missed in the financing of the
campaign that will precede the No
vember election. 1t also is assumed
that his support would not be un.
acceptable TO Democrats who might
make the race with him on a coali-
ton ticket.
1t is common gossip in Maryland
political circles that so far the
wealthy men of both parties who
have come through" in past cam.
paigns have thrown up their hands.
in view of the present facticnal,
fights, with the admonition that they
will not contribute "a red cent" un.
less harmony is restored.
Opposed Four.pOwer Treaty.
It also is pointed out that Senator
France would not be an unacceptable
candidate to the rank and file OF the
Democratic party, in view OF his vote
In opposition to the four-poYGr treaty
and his sensational denunciation of
the Harding Administration for -fos-
tering it and forcing its passage. lie
concluded an impassioned speech
against it on the floor of the Senate
with the significant and startling re.
mark to the Democratic members
that he hoped to God you reap your
reward at the next election If the Re
publican party ratifies this treaty"
Since this momentous remark
many Maryland Democratic leaders
have been hoping confidently. If not
publicly, that Senator France might
expdct their support and that he
would contribute literally to the
Democratic war chest.
The Braddock Heights conference
having appointed a committee to
obtain a candidate to oppose France
for the Senatorial nomination and
rant the support Of one wing Of the
organization, ended it's labors with
nothing else apparently accom-.
plished.
There are three receptive candi.
dates in the field for the Republican
nomination as opposed to France,
none of whom, however. is regarded
as strong with the voters.
E. G.. Darlington. former Bull
Moose leader of the State, was prom.
inently mentioned some time aSo,
but since his name was first brought
out his political stock has waned
considerably.
Brainerd H. Warner, Montgomery
county Republican, Washington law
yer and Senator Frances campaign
manager in western Maryland five
and half years ago, also Is flirting