Evening star., 1938-08-26
TYD|NGS DEFENDS
VOTE ON SECURITY
Senator Urges Pay-as-You-
Go PoIicy-Charges Lewis
With Vote Absences.
BY J. A. O'LEARY.
Star Staff Correspondent.

Star Stan Correspondent.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 26-Before
moving into Western Maryland today
in his fight for denomination, Senator
Tydings last night urged pay-as-you-
go social security program, telling a
Democratic rally here that under the
present law the Government is using
the pay roll taxes to meet routine
expenses and putting I o Us in the
social security fund.
Hurrying across town in his auto
mobile, the Senator addressed two
large gatherings within an hour, and
at the second he narrowly missed
meeting his New Deal opponent,
Representative Lewis. who had spoken
there a few minutes earlier. Mr..
Tydings has expressed the hope that
before the campaign closes on Sep
tember II he and Mr.. Lewis may have
an opportunity to discuss the issues
from the same platform.
Again Hits Interference.
Starting the evening in the sixth
district OF South Baltimore, where
Mr.. Lewis is expected to have con-
siderable support, Senator Tydings
again flayed outside interference in
Maryland's primary, declaring
Il am in this fight standing on my
own two feet, and if cannot win
that way I do not deserve to win
At the same time, he declared that
Mr. Lewis, by accepting outside help,
Is in the position Of admitting "he
can't stand up and take it,
you are enutled to make your
choice at the ballot box, whether it
be for me or my opponent, without
influence from any outside source,
the Senator added, presumably refer
ring to the administration support OF
Mr. Lewis, and to the constantly re-
curing reports that President Roose-
welt may speak in the State before
the primary battle ends.
With approximately 1000 persons
jamming Holy Cross Hall. in South
Baltimore, a few 'boos" were heard
above the applause as he began his
speech. As he defended his record
in the Senate. however, he was inter-
rupted several times by further ap-
plause.
Black Vote Recalled.
The Senator emphasized his vote
against former Senator Black for con-
irmation as an associate justice OF
the Supreme Court, and declared Mr.
Lewis had indicated he was satisfied
with Mr. Black.
why doesn't Mr.. Lewis 60 on the
air and tell the people of Maryland
I voted against Mr.. Black and how
he would have voted and for whal
reasons" Mr.. Tydings declared.
The Senator's criticism of the ex-
isting Social Security Act came later
in the evening. before the Trenton
Democratic Club, when he defended
his action in voting present when
that measure was passing.
The Senator insisted he favors 8
pay-as-yougo plan Of social security
not be used for any other purpose. Il
he had voted against 1t. he said, ht
would have been regarded as opposing
the principle. He contended the plar
was so poorly drawn that his vote oi
present" was the only one he coulo
logically register. Referring to the
feature of the law that directs the
Treasury to invest the social security
taxes in Government bonds, Mr.. Tyd.
ings asserted:
The idea of taxing the people or
all salaries up to $3.50 month anc
then tell the workers there will be 4e
billion of l o US to take care of 20,
in your old age"
At the outset Of his second speech
Senator Tydings was comparing the
primary race to boxing match. He
pictured Mr. Lewis as climbing into
the ring at the start to knock him out
unaided.
But after we had been sparring fol
awhile he began to look around tt
see If there was Joe Louis in the
audience" the Senator added.
Interrupted by Listener.
Talk about the issues" one Of the
audience interrupted.
Il am talking about the issue, my
friend" the Senator replied. There
is no greater issue than the question
Of selecting your representatives with
out fear, coercion or outside interfer-
ence."
At both meetings Mr.. Tydings de-
Tended his opposition to the A. A. A
farm program which. he said, meant
blowing crops under "and killing every
tenth cow"
At the earlier gathering, after an.
swering criticisms of his votes in the
Senate, Mr.. Tydings made a counter
attack on Mr.. Lewis record Of at.
tendance at House roll calls. The
Senator said Mr.. Lewis has many fine
qualities and has done many gooo
things" Mr.. Tydings charged, how.
ever, that, according to the Congress
sional Record on roll calls, Mr.. Lewis
was not recorded al per cent, or near
ly half OF the time. over an eight-yeal
period, and in three of the years he
was absent over half the time"
Let's get this hard-working-mar
picture Strengthened out" the Senator
added.
Manager Sees Steady Gains.
While Senator Tydings was contin-
uing his speaking program in the city
his campaign manager, Senator Rad
cliffe, expressed the belief yesterday
afternoon that Mr.. Tydings is 'wel
ahead and gaining steadily"
Asked if he had any comment te
make on the telegram of DR.. H. c
Byrd, president of the University o1
Maryland, sent to President Roosevelt
inviting him to speak in Maryland or
his philosophy of government, Senator
Radcliffe said he believed the people
of Maryland would always welcome 9
visit by the President of the United
States. The junior Maryland Sena.
tor. who campaigned for the Presi.
dents election and has supported him
in Congress, reiterated, however, that
he has regretted the Presidents stanc
~, fba y,rnSept sono torjo1 r,riyna rv