Evening star., 1937-03-05
Political Experts Speculate
On Byrd as Governor Prospect
Point to University Pres
ident's Winning Way
With Assembly.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, March State
House political observers have just
about come to the conclusion that DR..
H. c. "Curley" Byrd. president of the
University of Maryland. already has q
fine background before which he could
pose 1912 gubernatorial aspirations.
There has been no doubt for years
that DR.. Byrd-he became doctor in
recent months only and is former
foot ball coach-was q power in legis-
lative circles. He never has been .
member Of the General Assembly. but
was regarded during the administra-
ton of the late Gov. Albert c. Richie
as one of the Ritchie lieutenants who
could bring recalcitrant legislators
back into line.
His power in legislative halls was
demonstrated easily and fully again
this week. The House Ways and
Means Committee-with only II mem
bers present-voted 8 to 8 to cut STA
900 yearly from the university's budget.
Dr. Byrd evidenced not bit Of
worry. The committee met again yes
terday. It restored the slashes. And,
sources close to the committee indi-
Gated the university would receive
$273 900 yearly which Gov. Harry w.
Nice included In his budget which was
marked contingent" upon the Legis-
lature providing revenue for those
items. The budget alone, without the
contingent item, gives the university
$4,000 more yearly than it now re-
ceives
Told of University's Power.
DR.. Byrd himself told the Finance
Committee exactly what political
power there is behind the University
Of Maryland. He did that while ex-
planning his budget.
He outlined the ramifications of the
university, which include work among
miners, oystermen, fishermen, farmers
farm wives, poultry dealers, live stock
dealers and others through the various
farm agents, home demonstration
agents. poultry specialists, live stock
specialists, etc.
In effect, he told the committee
that:
The university itself is not asking
the Legislature for this appropriation.
The miners. oystermen. fishermen,
farmers, farm wives, poultry dealers,
live stock dealers and others are ask
ing the university for that money.
Could Prove Point.
He told the committee that, II nee
essary. he could bring large numbers
Of those people to the State House -
prove his point.
A good example Of the manner in
which the University-and DR.. Byrd
knows how to go about securing the
votes of legislators came during the
Byrd campaign for restoration Of the
Ways and Means Committee cut. DR..
Byrd approached one member Of the
committee who was not present at the
meeting when the cut was made.
That particular legislator deals in
horses. DR.. Byrd reminded him Of the
fine work university live stock special
lists had done in curbing horse dis
ease which was prevalent at one time
in recent years In that particular leg
islator's county.
Whether DR.. Byrd actually would
consider leaving the academic ONCE
Of president of a university-he be-
came president during the past year
for the more political atmosphere Of
the Governors mansion is not publicly
known.
Named Acting President.
However, this story has been told IN
the State house this week:
When the University Of Maryland
Board Of Regents decided to ask for
the resignation Of DR.. Raymond A.
Pearson a president 1t was generally
conceded that the then university
vice president would take over.
However, the board named Byrd -