Evening star., 1922-08-13
Maryland Democrats Facing
'Three-Cornered Contest in
; September Primaries.
G. O. P. SEEKING UNITY
Withdrawal of Garrett Suggested
at Conference of Leaders-France
Confident of denomination.

democrats will have a three-cornered
primary fight next month was made
certain this week with the fling Of
papers of his candidacy for the
democratic nomination for United
States senator by William CabeIl
Bruce. Mr.. Bruce is regarded gen.
orally as the candidate of the or
ganization and it is expected he will
receive the support of both the state
and city leaders, who have been with
holding support from William l. Nor
ris and David j. Lewis, the other two
candidates already in the field.
II. as row seems certain all three
candidates remain in the field there
will be a practical application of the
second choice provision of the Mary
land senatorial primary law, which.
although on the statute books since
1914, never has been employed.
A situation which may seriously
affect the future effectiveness of the
local political machine was reported
today in connection with the en-
trance into the primary fight of Mr.
Bruce. According to the rumor, John
j. Mahon is backing the candidacy
of Mr.. Bruce. while Frank Kelly.
Mahons chief understudy, also is
agreeable. but some Of the lesser
lights in the city organization are
against him and favorable to William
/. Norris. A numbef of the most IN
flufntial lieutenants of the city ma
chine when approached refused 10
support Bruce as against Norris.
Norris sDefes the "Machine.-
Norris has repeatedly declared that
he knew the machine was against
him, that they had never been for
him, but that he considered this an
asset. and in some quarters the feel
ing is growing among city politicians
that Norris will carry the city dl-
rectly against the will of the bosses
In a primary fight. however. 1T is
the organization votes that count as
the independent vote cannot be
brought out in sufficient numbers to
Offset the rank and file of the Or
feel certain that they will be able
to carry the city for Mr.. Bruce.
While it is understood that MIR
Bruce will. no doubt. be more accept
able to the state wing of the democ-
racy than either Norris or Lewis
ter Smith, the acknowledged leader
of the state organization. declared
they do not believe the former sena-
tor will take ANY active part in the
campaign.
Gov. Ritchie Neutral.
Gov Richie is understood to have
decided to maintain strictly neutral
lttitude on the candidacy of all three
.dndidates, but it is a we'll known
slct that the governor is very favor
bly, impressed with the candidacy of
Mr.. Norris. Gov. Ritchie also set to
rest finally the hope that he would
change his decision not to run for
the United states Senate. In re-
affirming his decision not to be a
candidate the governor said:
Il have never been a candidate for
the Senate. AS time goes on, l am
more and more convinced that l was
right when 1 said 1 had a job On
and do what the people elected me
for. With these coal and railroad
crises on hand, in addition to the
regular routine of the state govern
ment l have a mans sized job, and
it would be impossible for me to
make campaign for the senatorial
nomination, even if 1 wished to do
So
Just how Mr.. Bruce will line up
on the wet and dry Question is prob
lematical. That the drys are look
ing for a candidate in the senatorial
neither of the two candidates in
either the democratic or republican
ranks is satisfactory from i ury
standpoint.
Suggests Garrett Quit Race.
On the republican side the week
was featured by the conference in
Philadelphia on Thursday between
and Roland Marchant with the ma
tional committeeman. William P.
jackson. Marion A. Humphreys and
Amos w. w. Woodcock, Mr.. Jack
sons chief lieutenant on the eastern
shore. Mr.. Jackson, who has been
for some time. is understood to have
taken the position that Mr. Garrett
should withdraw from the primary
IN the interest of party harmony
in order to avoid split that may en-
danger party success in the general
election.
Mr.. Lowndes, it is reported, was
brought into the conference in order
that he may use his good Offices to
try to persuade Mr.. Garrett to with
draw. Senator France, who spent
several days this week at his head
quarters in this city. is quoted as be-
ing very well pleased with the prog
ress being made and feels that al
ready he has the nomination as good
as won.
Gossip in Congress Districts.
The congressional situation re-
mains practically the same as last
week, withsthe exception that Judge
bEtSCOcp WHO was OHeTeQ the demo-
cratic nomination in the fifth dis
trict to oppose Representative Mudd,
declined. and the democrats are now
casting about for another candidate.
Clarence NJ. Roberts, member of the
house of delegates from Prince
Georges county, is reported as being
the latest candidate centered upon.
1t also is reported on good au
thcrity that the Anti-Saloon League
has finally decided to enter the fight
In the fifth district and has centered
upon a bone-dry candidate whose
identity as yet has not been disclosed
to make the fight, claiming that the
sentiment in the fifth district is dry.
The republicans are having a hard
time to get candidate to oppose
Representative ]. Charles Lnthicum
in the fourth ddistrict, none of the
republicans so far approached being
anxious to enter the fight, and it be.
gins to look like the G. o. P. COM
miftee will have to resort to the draft
In order to keep Mr.. Linthicum from
being reelected unopposed.