Evening star., 1936-10-31
HOT FIGHT WAGED
IN MONTGOMERY
Democrats Appear to Have
Edge, but G. 0. P. Is
Confident.
BY WILL r. KENNEDY,
Staff Correspondent Of The Star

L ~toA SSAASSktShocht Va 4uC OtuAs
i ROCKVILLE. Md, October 81
Montgomery County, named after the
redoubtable Gen. Richard Montgom-
cry, is more of a political battle
ground this year. In a presidential
and congressional campaign, than
since it was founded. Both Repub-
licanS and Democrats claim they will
win-the Republicans say "by quite
substantial majority" and the Demo-
Gratis say ''by from 1000 to 2,500."
To disinterested outsider, who has
made q careful and unbiased canvass,
the Democrats seem to have the edge
for both President Roosevelt and Rep
resentative David j. Lewis.
Four years ago Montgomery County
gave the highest presidential elec-
toral vote-getter on the Democratic
ticket 9.882 and for the two at large
and one each from the six congress
sional districts, an average of 8,767;
while for presidential elector on the
Republican ticket the highest vote
was 5,753, and the average for the
eight was 5,604. From this the
Roosevelt majority can be computed
as 3,l59 to 4.129. In the 1928 elec-
ton Hoover carried the county by
about 2,700.
Four years ago Montgomery Coun-
ty gave Representative Lewis 1888,
to 1851 for the late former Repre-
sentative Fred N. Zihlman-in a
three-cornered contest. This year the
Democrats say they will do little
better for Lewis and the Republicans
say they hope to win with State Sem
ator Harry w. LIE Gore of Frederick
County by an old-time Zihlman ma
jority. The disinterested observer
sees the odds in favor of Lewis.
"NormaI" Majority Seen.
Stedman Prescott. chairman OF the
Democratic County Committee, in
charge of the very active Democratic
Roosevelt and Lewis headquarters in
this county seat. says after comforting
with active workers in all the districts.
'The county will have its regular nor
NAL majority, usually about 1900 to
$500. The situation looks better than
it did little while back. We should
do just bit better this time for both
Roosevelt and Lewis" This Is Pres
colts first national campaign as
county leader, as he succeeded E.
Brook Lee three years ago as head Of
the Democratic organization. Pres
colt, an able lawyer and independently
wealthy, served three terms as a
member Of the town council. then as
States attorney for the county, and is
now member of the State Senate.
The upper districts, rural. north
from Rockville. which have in the past
been giving rather small majorities
against the Democrats. are now ex-
pected to turn in substantial majori-
ties in support Of them. That seems
to be the sentiment along the line in
such places as Gaithersburg, Pooles-
vile. Barnesville. Clarksburg. Damas-
Gus and Laytonsville districts.
The Democratic county organiZa-
ton has been conducting the most
vigorous national campaign in many
years, with Prescott as chairman:
Lacy Shaw of Colesville, treasurer and
chairman of the Registration Com
mittee; j. Bond Smith, Takoma Park,
chairman of publicity and the Speak
ers Committee; j. Donald Clagett.
Silver Spring. chairman of finance;
John B. Diamond. Gaithersburg,
chairman of the Campaign Commit
tee. assisted by DR.. Benjamin c. Perry.
Bethesda: Curtis Walker. Chevy
Chase; Alvie A. Moxley, Damascus,
and Richard H. Lansdale, Sandy
Spring. Other leaders in the Demo-
cratic campaign include Mrs. Jane Y.
Latimer. Takoma Park, president of
the Montgomery County Womens
Shoemaker, Bethesda. J. Somerville
Dawson, jr., Rockville, is president of
the United Young Mems Democratic
Clubs of Montgomery County, and has
been Communicated for work at the
national headquarters in New York
Louis Thomas, Chevy Chase, and j. c.
Christopher, Bethesda. are in charge
of active campaign work by the Young
Democrats. The Veterans have a sep
arate group in charge of J. B. Fitz-
gerald. Chevy Chase, working under
State headquarters in Baltimore.
Many Meetings Held.
The Democrats have held more
meetings than is usual, with consider
able enthusiasm demonstrated by the
voters, climaxed at the biggest rally
ever held in the county, in the Ken
sington Armory. The Democrats claim
they have put on 400 more than the
Republicans in new registrations.
Probably the one most potential
asset of the Democrats is the fact
that all the factions within the party
are united, as they have not been in
many years, for President and Con-
gresham. There Is being developed
an amalgamation within the party
with all working now in complete
harmony. The Young Democrats, the
Women's Democrat Clubs and the
older Democratic groups are now
working comparatively, under the di-
rection of Chairman Prescott.
Curtis Walker Of Chevy Chase, q
Washington attorney and chairman
of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee for Montgomery County, fig
ures as does Campaign Director Pres
colt that the county will give a nor
NAL Democratic majority-which he
estimates at about 1,500. He finds
that there will be considerable shift
ing Of votes, and that the up-county
districts will do a little better than
usual. While he Is reluctant to ad-
nit it, Mr.. Walker and all other OBJ
servers realize that the down-county
district, the suburban area bordering
on the District of Columbia, will prob
ably reduce their Democratic vote.
Chevy Chase, which is a very well-to-
do section, last time gave Roosevelt
slight majority-while this time
1t Is expected to give the majority
vote to Landon. It is always Re-
publican area, except in an abnormal
year. While Walker still claims IAN
even break for Roosevelt" the i'm
partial observer would give the Chevy