Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
MARYLAND SPLIT
ST|RS DEMOCRATS
fractional Fight May Prove
Serious Blow to Smiths
Chances.
,ecial Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
BALTIMORE, July I4.-Definite In
dications disclosed during the past week
clearly show that the factional fight
which has split the Democratic party
IN Baltimore remains Just as intense
and bitter as 1t was In the Spring OF
1927. then enabling the Republicans to
capture the mayoralty election.
1t is entirely too early to ascertain the
exact effect this factionalism will have
on the result Of the presidential and
congressional races In Baltimore but at
this time the situation contains sum-
Gent danger to cause Democratic lead
ers anxiety
II Gov. Smith Is to receive Mary
lands electoral vote Of eight, he must
obtain his majority In the State In
Baltimore City. That much already
seems certain. To defeat Herbert Hoo
ver political observers have pointed out.
II will be necessary for the New York
Governor to carry solid the South and
the border States. OF which Maryland
Is one, In addition to New York. New
Jersey several New England States and
State or two In the Middle West.
Takes On Significance.
Viewed from that angle. the fac
tional fight In Baltimore takes on an
important significance. II the Demo-
cratic gain must be made In the East.
then IL Is entirely possible that the
whole election may turn on the result
In Baltimore. Such an occurrence.
viewed four months before the election
and before issues have become clear
cut, is only problematical, but neverthe-
less possible.
Perhaps Senator George H. Moses,
member of the Hoover Eastern advisory
board, when he asserted In New York
early In the week that Maryland was
to be the Flanders OF the campaign,
based his prediction on a knowledge OF
conditions existing In Baltimore's DEM
ocratic party.
The Baltimore situation presents
curious aspect II will be recalled that
some months before the death Of Frank
Kelly, the head Of the Democratic ma
chine. two factions developed In the
party--one headed by william Curran
and Robert B. Ennis. and the other by
former Mayor Howard W. jackson, Will
liam / Norris and others.
In the Fall of 1925 In a purely first
legislative district fight, the Curran-
Ennis group gave the Jackson Norris
Democrats severe beating over places
on the party ticket for the State Legis-
lature and for the clerkships Of several
OF the city courts.
The following Spring the expiration
OF Mayor Jackson's term presented an
other battlefield. Several months previ-
Gus TO the primary election. the ma
neuvering for positions OF vantage
started for the nayoralty nominations.
Curran-E Ennis wing again was VIC
torious. Curran became the party's un-
contested nominee for mayor after
forcing Jackson to withdraw as cam
didate. In the general election, how
ever, the Jackson wing. by that time
including Charles e. Bichy. chairman
Of the Democratic city committee,
aided the Republicans In electing the
Republican candidate mayor.
Becomes Open Warfare.
On the death OF Kelly last Winter
what had been undercover skirmish-
ing became open warfare. But so far
there has been nothing TO fight about.
Earlier In the year 1t was believed that
the factional differences would remain
dormant until the State election OF
1880. since neither side would gain
ground by making issue OF the national
elections primary and general, THIS
year. The primary election was passed
with safety.
But the harmony has not continued.
| The Curran- Ennis faction succeeded In
appointing their adherents TO seven OF
| the ten places allotted to Baltimore on
the States delegation TO Houston. This
angered the jackson side OF the party
because they believed Gov Ritchie had
| favored the other faction and their
anger was increased ON their return
| from the convention city.
| After the nomination OF Gov, Smith
Curran and Ennis wired their lieu
| tenants at home To arrange q meeting
| In their stronghold. the flrst or east
| Baltimore district. for the following
Monday night. The delegation arrived
| In Baltimore Sunday night ana found
plans for the meeting had been per-
| fected. Thus the Curran-Ennis faction
got credit for firing the first gun OF
the campaign.
are not opposed TO Gov. Smith, put
they are opposed TO anything done by
the other group The enthusiasm OF
C,lrrar,s faction for Smith has had the
effect of making the mayors group
cold In addition they seem To be
ARMY convinced that Gov. Richie
favors the C,nran following and they
have developed an antagonism toward
the governor on that score. Further
more Bichy believes he should run the
Campaign which should not open until
September. 80 ~.
ernora career In national politics de-
Ponds on the support Maryland gives
To smith. 1t Is doubtful whether the
Jackson Bichy wing Of the party Ia
ready, or will he ready In November,
10 ieopardige the New Workers. chances
In an effort to injure Gov, Ritchie.
THAT remains 10 he seen, but OF TINS
time the bitterness Is nverhowing.
FRANKLYk r. WALTHAM. ~,