Evening star., 1928-03-25
MARYLAND HALLS
R|TCH|E STRENGTH
But Sponsors Sidestep Any
Attempt TO Cut Sup
port of Smith.
Special Dispatch to The star.


BALTIMORE, March 24.-Friends of
Gov Ritchie in Maryland believe that
he will receive this year in the Demo-
cratic national convention. more votes
for the presidential nomination than
the Is of his own State.
The Ritchie adherents are cautious
in making predictions for their candi-
date. not because they have anything
to hide, but because they do not wish
to do. or seem to be doing, anything
that is antagonistic TO the candidacy
Of Gov. Smith.
Maryland Democracy Is as strong for
Smith as 1t is for Ritchie. OF course
the Maryland Governor Is preferred by
the people of his own State to Gov.
Smith, but the feeling here is that II
Ritchie cannot be nominated. then
every effort should be made to make
the New Yorker the standard bearer.
Relations Are Good.
The relations between Albany and
Annapolis are of the best. This was
demonstrated several weeks ago when
Mayor Walker of New York. spoke in
Baltimore on his trip South. The mayor
was extravagant in his praise of Mary
lands Governor But it was what
G.
When the Democratic convention
meets" Ritchie said. ''I do not believe
there will be any discord when the
bands simultaneously play the Side
walks of New York and Maryland. Ny
Maryland. :"
Although to maintain this harmony,
Maryland Democratic leaders are re-
luctant to boast about the Ritchie
candidacy, nevertheless they privately
admit that the Marylander this year
stands in a much better position than
he did in 1924.
In 1924 Gov. Ritchie virtually was
unknown to the majority of the Amefi-
can public. Today few persons who
regularly read the newspapers and
periodicals lack an understanding of
the principles for which the Maryland
executive stands. Many have heard
him enunciate what might be called
his platform over the radio.
Without a board Of political strate-
gistS without any paid publicity agents.
Gov. Ritchie probably has been the
most vigorous and aggressive presiden-
tial candidate In the country. His ap-
peal has gone chiefly to the people
But. his Maryland supporters believe.
this appeal has had an effect on politi-
cal leaders. the men who will throw
the votes" when the convention at
Houston finally gets ready to select a
nominee.
The Ritchie people in Maryland for
some time have been considering a
plan to give their vote TO Gov Smith
for about eight or ten ballots. after
the first three or four. The plan then
contemplates. IL Gov Smith Is unable
to get the nomination by the twelfth or
fifteenth ballot, TO SO TO work in earnest
for Gov. Ritchie.
Approved by Democrats.
whether this plan viii be followed
will not be decided for some months.
probably not until the Maryland dele
cation arrives at Houston. But IL meets
the approval of the majority of Mary
land Democrats.
1t Is feasible because Gov. Ritehie,
as In 1924, will again have absolute
control OF the delegation from his
State. The ward leaders Of Baltimore
have made their selections Of delegates
TO the State convention. which In turn
will elect the delegation to the national
convention.
The leaders OF Baltimore have ex-
pressed willingness 10 allow the
governor 10 control the delegation and
the county leaders are OF the same
mind
With the exception Of selection of
delegates Ia the Democratic State con-
venticn Maryland politics moved slowly
this week. Charles MeC, Matthias.
Republican leader OF Frederick. at
tackled the BroeninG -Aiarchant group.
but the latter remained silent.
The congressional lines OF battle are
fairly we'll fixed. except In the sixth
or western Maryland district. where no
candidates have announced themselves
so far, Representative zihlnfan. how
ever. is expected TO be the Republican
standard bearer and David J. Lewis.
former tariff commissioner and Repre-
sentative. his Democratic opponent
FRANKLIN WALTMAN, Jr.