Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02
RESULT UNCERTAIN
INFRINGE GEORGES
Republicans Make Strong
Challenge in Ceunty-Pro-
greSsives a Factor.
BY GEORGE PORTER,
stan Correspondent OF The Star.
UPPER MARLBORO. Md. Novemt

III 1EON0k TON1Ehs
stan Correspondent OF The Star.
UPPER MARLBORO. Md. November
Its still anybody's election in Prince
Georges County and, barring unexpected
last-day developments, will remain so
until the votes are counted.
RASH indeed would be the prophet
who ventured to predict which party
will win, or which candidates win cap
ture specific Offices.
There are, perhaps, four exceptions,
which prove this rule. Leaders of the
Republican party will tell you in mo-
ments of confidence, that they do not
expect to defeat Stephen w. Gambrill,
who is running for reelection to Con-
gress, nor Summerfield d. Hall, who Is
seeking to serve another term as clerk
of the Circuit Court. And Democratic
cfieftains confess in unguarded mo-
ments, that, of course, William 7.
Davis, Republican, will be reelected
register of wills.
Election q Tradition.
It is a comforting and reassuring
fact, outstanding IN the too-sordid
pages of the county's political history,
that Mr.. Hall and Mr.. Davis have,
through more than decade OF consci-
ertious service, won the esteem OF the
voters. Under such circumstances It
Is not strange that voting for them has
become a tradition. Although both,
with becoming modesty, continue to
profess some doubt as to their re-
election, the defeat of either would be
one Of the biggest political upsets in
the country's annals.
Both are opposed by men of high
reputation. John H. Fetty. mayor OF
Laurel, is the Republican candidate for
clerk of the Circuit Court, and Harry
E. Lusby the Democratic candidate
for register of wills.
Prediction dope" would also seem
to concede the reelection of State Sen
ator Sasscer, Democrat. although Re-
publican leaders would die before adj
hitting it, Senator Sasscer is another
man who has got the people in the
habit of voting for him, having already
served two terms i'll the Upper House.
AS head Of the county's legislative dele
CATION. he, of course, is held responsible
for all the unpopular laws that have
beer. passed and all the presumably
popular bills that failed to pass. To
offset this he is given credit for much
beneficial legislation, and as attorney
for several incorporated towns has won
various important suits that boosted
his popularity.
HIS opponent, William r. Smallwood,
was originally candidate for the
House Of Delegates, but filed for the
Senate TO fill q vacancy on the Repuo-
lican ticket. Smallwood insists that
from the moment he filed he had no
intention of withdrawing, but 1t is COM
mon knowledge that Republican leaders
made overtureS to at least three per-
sons TO head the ticket after Smallwood
filed.
Others Evenly Matched.
The rest of the candidates are so
evenly matched only those who are
willing TO accept conventional express
sions of confidence as accurate tndica-
tons of public sentiment can satisfy
themselves as to which will win.
In the county treasurer race, for ex-
ample, Brice Bowie Democratic secre-
tary 70 the county commissioners, who
is committed to appoint r. Ernest
Smith, present treasurer, as his deputy,
is by no means assured OF victory over
william A. Duvall, whose personal
popularity gained him the only Repub-
iican seat on the Board Of County
Commissioners In the Democratic land
slide of 1926.
Likewise Albert r. Hassall, Repub-
lican. and Alan Bowie, Democrat are
staging q neck and-neck race for State
Term as county prosecutor, and was de-
feated by a mere handful OF votes when
he ran for reelection.
100 Republicans are seeking TO re-
lD.o political history by running w.
Curtis Hopkins for sheriff against James
w. Rogers, Democrat. Hopkins Is from
Queen Anne district. one Of the rural
sections of the county, and some years
ago the G.. o. p. succeeded in winning
wrrfkI 10 GARffnF
Both parties. Of course, are making
strenuous efforts to elect their candi-
dates to the House Of Delegates.
Charles c. Marbury appears to be the
most popular Democratic candidate
with Oliver Metzerott the outstanding
Republican nominee for the six seats
the county now has in the Lower House
1t is difficult, on the strength OF pre-
election indications, TO count these men
out of the winners.
Other Democratic candidates for the
House are William F. Keys, j. Guy Bel
and Kent r. Mullikin. who are run
ming for reelection, and william H
Anglin and william +. Clifton.
Metzerott's running mates are Rober
@. MacCartee. George p. MeCeney
Richard C. Zantzinger, Bird H. Dolb!
and w. w. James.
Commissioner Fight Hot.
Perhaps the hottest fight of the cleo
ton Is being waged for the i've seats or
the Board of County Commissioners
and this battle Is also producing ont
of the most interesting sidelights Of thu
election because of the candidacy O.
Mrs. Mary w. Browning, Democrat.
A woman candidate is a novelty II
the county. although there are two II
the campaign this year. the other beini
1 Mrs. Lulu A. Bickford, Republican can
didate for the Orphans Court.
Mrs. Browning's success as home
maker and as the head of a live Stocl
business convinced Democratic leader
that they could count heavily on he
in the coming election. She alread!
has had experience as county com
missioner, having been appointed 70 tn
board about year ago. Her success O
failure may in large measure deter
mine which party gains control OF tn
board At all events, her showing a
the polls will be watched with unusua
interest.
Walter NJ Grimes is another Demo
crat recently appointed to the boar
who is seeking election. Through co
incidence both parties have an aut
dealer on their county commissions
slate. They are o. w. Phstr, Democrat
of Laurel, and Frank Small, il, Re
publican, of Meadows.
The Democrats are also making 81
fU