Evening star., 1938-08-05
HINT Of DR.. BYRD'S
CANDIDACY SEEN
Governorship Ambition Read
in Statewide Parley on
Getting U. S. Funds.

Maryland political leaders today
We're debating the question Of whether
the Statewide meeting called by DR..
H. c. Byrd, president Of the Univer-
sity of Maryland, had any political
significance and whether it might not
be a prelude to his announcement as
a candidate for the Democratic guber-
material nomination.
The meeting. to be held at College
Park at 2 pm. Wednesday has for its
purpose the discussion Of ways. and
means of getting more P. w. A. funds
for Maryland
Motives behind the move by DR..
Byrd were questioned by Senate Presi-
dent Lansdale G. Sasscer. candidate
for the Democratic gubernatorial NOM
ination.
II don't see what connection the
Universit yof Maryland has with the
distribution Of P. W. A. funds in the
State" Senator Sasscer said Il
think the university should be built up
as an education institution and not
as a political institution"
Senator SaSScer expressed conf
dence that DR.. Byrd would not enter
the race for Governor unless every
body quits and leaves him q clear
field"
Long reported as being an imminent
candidate for the Democratic guber-
material nomination in the September
IL primaries. DR.. Byrd was seen as
having chosen the largest bone of con-
tention in the State campaign as =
vehicle on which to ride into the race
In almost every race in the State
the question Of who can and who cam
not secure public works and Works
Progress Administration funds has
played . prominent part DR.. Byrd
has proved on several occasions that
he can get funds for his projects. He
recently was the recipient of $1,135,-
900 for an expansion program at the
three branches Of the university at
College Park, Baltimore and Princess
Anne and before that he induced the
Federal Government to rehabilitate
the university dairy barns.
Among those who have been in
vited to the meeting at the univer-
sity at 2 pm. Wednesday are Federal
and State w. P. A. and P. w. A. offi-
Gals. Gov. Nice, members of the
House and Senate Of the Maryland
Legislature, the congressional delega-
ton, members of all county boards Of
commissioners and city and town OH
cials, More than 600 invita- tions were
sent out.
DR.. Byrd yesterday reiterated his
statement that he is not a candidate
for anything" but confidantes were
the filing date headlines and
the advisability of making a declara-
ton now or waiting until near the
deadline, 1t was understood.
DR.. Byrd has refused on numerous
occasions to answer directly the ques-
ton of whether he intended to enter
the race for the gubernatorial nomi-
nation. His invariable answer to re-
peated reports that he would announce
has been Il am not q candidate for
which later was qualified
by certain circumstances which might
develop may force me to enter the
race" He never has decided that he
will run.
DR.. Byrd, in explaining the called
meeting, said the P. w. A. bill which
recently passed Congress has In 1t a
provision through which MARYLAND
and other units of
local government may benefit, which
the previous bill did not have.
There is one provision which en-
ables the Federal Government to fur
nish all the funds for project without
the sponsor Immediately providing
anything" DR.. Byrd pointed out. He
further explained that in the event of
any local unit making use of this
'eature the Government will require
payment on 2 per cent annual
'ental basis on only 55 per cent Of
he amount extended, which in effect
s a grant of As per cent? with the
Government lending the IS per cent
hat the sponsor ordinarily would,
'rovide. This IS per cent would be
epaid over q period OF SO years. 4
This is an unusual opportunity |
or Maryland people to get funds for |
leeded projects" DR.. Byrd declared,
but If they are to avail themselves |
4 the opportunity action must Be |
AIKEN at once"