Evening star., 1938-07-09
TYD|NCS CHARGES
POLITICAL TERROR
Says Maryland F. H. A. Head
Forced to Resign to Aid
Opponent.
BULLETIN,

chairman sheppard SAID today
the Senate Campaign Investigating
Committee would consider any
complaint fled with it in connec-
ton with the dismissal of Henry
w. Webb as Federal housing ad-
ministrator for Maryland. The
matter has not been called offici-
ally to the attention of the COM
mittee, Senator Sheppard added.
The bitter political fight in Mary.
land between Senator Millard E. Tyd-
ings and Representative David J.
Lewis, who seeks to succeed him, was
further intensified today following the
resignation" yesterday of Henry w
Webb, Maryland director for the Fed
eral Housing Administration. Mr.
Webb was Tydings-sponsored ap-
pointee, and the Senator charged the
resignation was forced by the admin
istration as an aid to the Lewis candi-
dacy.
Mr.. Webb said his. resignation was
demanded, although he had been as
sured his work was above criticism
AS a face-saving proposition, he added,
w. D. Flanders, deputy administrator,
suggested that he stsp out Of office
with the explanation that he was
planning to enter the private real
estate field.
F. H. A. Defends Move.
The F. H. A., through Robert B
Smith, in charge of press relations
defended the resignation in the inter-
est of efficiency" and denied that
Mr. Flanders had praised the work OF
the Maryland administrator.
Mr.. Webb is very nice old fellow
and no one wanted to hurt his feel
ings," Mr.. Smith said. 'Mr. Flanders
spoke kindly to him and told him
there was no reflection on his integrity
As a matter of fact, though, his eff
cheney was below par"
Mr.. Webb had been State director
for about two years. The change has
been under contemplation for some
time, 1t was said.
E. Lester Muller. the Maryland as
sistant director, now is acting director
Branded Political Terrorism.
The affair was Immediately brand
ed as political terrorism" by Sen
ator Tydings, who gave cognizance
to reports that other Office holder!
owing their places to him and his
campaign manager, Senator George
L. Radcliffe, would be swept from
their jobs.
In a statement issued from his
headquarters in Baltimore, Senator
Tydings said he first learned about
10 days ago of the plot to remove
Mr.. Webb "for political reasons"
He said he Immediately wired F
H. A. Administrator Stewart McDon
aid explaining he understood this wa!
contemplated and asking for a denial
The telegram said it was reported tina
a temporary appointment would b.
made to the Webb post and that aftel
the election "a supporter of Congress
man Lewis is to be given his place."
The statement amplified that tn.
Webb post was held out as an induce.
ment for this support.
The telegram went unanswered, &C.
cording to Senator Tydings, as did {
second. The last, however, wa!
printed in Washington morninl
paper yesterday, he continued, with 6
forecast that Mr. Webb's remova
would take place during the day.
During the morning, he added, ht
received telegram from Administra.
tor Mcdonald saying Mr.. Webbs resig.
nation had been asked.
Assailing this as "as cold-blooded 8
political deal as have ever heard Of
Senator Tydings said:
"Other Federal employees, too, have
heard the whispered threat of re.
moval unless they vote right. MANY
of them have come to me in this diff.
Guilty. have told each and every
(See TYDINGS, Page A-6)