Evening star., 1938-02-26
N|CE'SPATRONACE
SEEN AS ISSUE
0'Conor and Phoebus At.
tack Administration
for "Bossism."
BY JACK ALLEN,
Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

Stau correspondent OF The Star.
POTOMAC, Md, Feb. 26.-The ad-
ministration Of Gov. Harry w. Nice,
particularly the use he has made Of
patronage, appeared today to be one
OF the principal issues upon which
Democratic and Republican candi-
dates alike will make their bid for
the governorship in 1898.
Criticism Of the manner in which
the Executive has managed State af-
fairs and promises of sharp reforms
unhampered by political "bossism"
were heard from both sides even as
the opening guns of the gubernatorial
campaign doomed in Montgomery
County.
The attacks were leveled at Gov.
Nice. who has not yet indicated
whether he will run for reelection,
by Attorney General Herbert r.
O'Conor and State Senator Harry
T. Phoebus before the Montgomery
County League Of Women Voters here
yesterday.
Political Tie-up Denounced.
Both speakers roundly flayed the
Governor for placing a number Of
the State departments-including the
roads, conservation and public service
commissions and the magistrates sys-
TENN politics and pledged them
selves to sever those agencies from
political connections If they are
elected.
Mr.. O'Conor, who will seek the
Democratic nomination in the Sep
tember primary, said the voters Of
Maryland, relaxing their vigilance and
allowing animosities and prejudices to
get the better Of their Judgment,
made an experiment tn State Gov-
ernment three years ago which has
not turned out so we'll"
He said a number of changes are
necessary to proper government in
cluding the abolition of politics from
the State Roads Commission and the
magistrates system, remodeling of the
tax structure, breathing spelr' for
the taxpayer, a well-considered con-
servation program, Tightening Of the
budget law by constitutional amend
ment, shore erosion program, extern
sion OF unemployment compensation
coverage and a broad policy for care
OF the insane and tubercular.
Would Earmark Gas Tax.
The attorney general stated his can
oldacy is based on platform embody-
Ing those features and added that
among the road changes he favors Is
the expenditure Of all gasoline tax
funds for highway purposes "a large
share now Is diverted for general uses)
and return Of the secondary roads to
the counties. He said the State roads
system Is now among the worst"
He declared he also proposes to
modernize the system of inferior
courts and to do away with the pres
ent justice Of the peace system"
Il am convinced" Mr.. O'Conor as
serted, that budget worthy of the
name can be submitted and, having
been adopted, can control the finances
OF the State for the next biennium
so as to eliminate past practices of
juggling appropriation items to create
new jobs.
Concerning the magistrates sys-
tenn, I would urge the substitution for
the present obsolete and antiouated
system modern, up-to-date county and
municipal courts, presided over by
judges selected for their integrity,
judicial temperament and experience" !"
Appointments Attacked.
Senator Phoebus, a Somerset Coun-
ty Republican, said Mr.. OConor took
away my speech when he told you
about the State Roads Commission" !"
but he lashed Gov. Nice for his ap-
pointments in the Conservation, Pub
lie Service and Roads Commissions.
He declared that If the public utili-
ties had picked their own man they
couldn't have made q better appoint
ment" than did Gov. Nice by placing
o. E. Weller at the head Of the Public
Service Commission.
"The utilities don't like me-" Sena-
tor Phoebus said. "They would pay
. quarter Of a million dollars to ret
rid Of me, believe. I've caused them
. lot Of trouble and I'll cause them
more when I become Governor of
this State"
Mr.. Phoebts said also that Gov.
Nice instead Of naming oystermen
or people familiar with the Chesapeake
Bays industries appointed to the
State Conservative Commission Q man
who had served As Judge for II years
and two doctors-one from Washing
ton County and the other from Gar
rett County, both in the western Sec
ton Of Maryland.
He added that one step he would
take II elected would be to turn back
to Baltimore City its police commits
sioner." He said the city, which pay
the salary. should have the commits
sioners appointment rather than the
Governor, who uses the 1900 police
men there to build up = political
machine"
Would Consult Wsmen.
In his talk Senator Phoebus said
he intends giving women . definite
place IN politics u be becomes Gov