Evening star., 1939-03-09
Bruce Being Groomed
AsRadc|iffe Opponent
For Senatorial Seat
O'Conor Adviser Reported
Building Up Machine
For 1910 Campaign
BY JACK ALLEN,
Star Stan Correspondent.

Star Stan Correspondent.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. March "a
powerful political machine is being
lined up behind Howard w. Bruce
Democratic national committeeman
for Maryland and chief adviser to
Gov. Herbert r. O'Conor, it was
learned today.
Political observers said the move
indicates Mr.. Bruce is seriously con-
sidering entering the United States
senatorial race in 1910 as a candi-
date for the seat now held by George
L. Radcliffe.
Senator Radcliffe, personal friend
OF President Roosevelt, who man
aged both Roosevelt campaigns in
Maryland. but opposed "the purge"
and stood with Millard E. Tydings
IN the latter's successful bid for re-
tention OF his place in the Senate
last fall, has not yet made known
whether he will seek reelection.
Mr.. Bruce, wealthy Baltimore
County resident and principal finan-
clal backer of Gov. O'Conor in the
recent gubernatorial race, has been
linked with the impending senatorial
scrap for some time by gossip in
State legislative circles.
Until today, however, the discus
sion OF the possibility of Mr.. Bruce
becoming a candidate for Senator
Radcliffe's seat has not gone beyond
the point where it could be regarded
as anything more than gossip.
Support Reported Pledged.
Mr.. Bruce now is said to have at
tanned promises of support from
Democratic leaders in the Western
Maryland counties of Montgomery,
Frederick, Washington, Garrett and
Allegheny In exchange for certain
patronage awards from Gov.
O'Conor.
1t was in the western section of
the State that O'Conor forces were
weakest in the gubernatorial pri-
mary. Political machines formed
during the regime of the late Gov.
Albert c. Ritchie carried most of
those counties for Mayor Howard w.
Jackson of Baltimore.
Negotiations by Mr.. Bruce to
merge the Western Maryland fac
tions with O'Conor groups in other
portions OF the State. it is under
stood. were begun quietly following
Gov. O'Conor's nomination at the
Democratic convention at Baltimore
in September
Consummation of the deal finally
was effected this week, according to
Well-lnformed political observers.
Mr.. Bruce and the Governor are
said to have agreed to give control
OF Montgomery County's election
machinery to the United Democratic
organization in return for the latter's
support of the Baltimore countian
In Montgomery if he enters the fight. |
The faction IN Frederick County
headed by David C. Winebrenner,
III. former secretary of State under
the late Gov. Ritchie, also has been
promised control of the election
setup in that county, and in addition
has been promised another judgship,
1t was reported.
Patronage List Revisions Likely.
Since the Governor sent his list of
biennial executive appointments to
the Senate two weeks ago for con-
firmation, it would be necessary for
him to make revisions in his list to
carry out these pledges.
The patronage allegedly pledged to
the Western Maryland leaders in ex-
change for support of Mr.. Bruce
originally was consigned to men who |
were loyal O'Conorites in the guber-
material primary 1t is said their |
names will be removed from the list
before the Senate and they will be
given other State jobs instead.
Members of the Senate Commit
tee on Executive Nominations al |
ready have set the stage for this bv
refusing" to confirm a member of |
O'Conor's appointees. The COM
mlttee voted against confirmation at
a meeting on Tuesday night, it was
learned today.
among those whom the commit |
tee has voted to recommend for re-
lection by the Senate are:
Ralph B. Sadler, Chevy Chase,
nominated by the Governor for ap-
polntment to the Board of Election
Supervisors in Montgomery County.
Louis Keyser, Frederick, nomi-
mated for the Board of Election
supervisors in Frederick County.
Appointment of Mr.. Sadler and
MI. keyser would haev stood in the
way of the united Democratic or
ganlzation and the Winebrenner
faction exercising control over the
election machinery of MONTGOMERY
and Frederick.
Since control of the election,
boards carries with it large amount
OF county patronage in the Wav of
appointments of election Judges.
clerks and other poll employees, con-
troi OF the boards has been greatly
desired by the two powerful factions
Dulaney Brown of Montgomery
County is said to be in line for
Mr.. Sadlers place, while Robert
Routchan OF Middletown is slated
Tor the Frederick County Election
Board and Howard Marvin Jones
Tor the magistrates post at Bruns-
wick.
Mr.. Sadler. Mr.. Keyser and Mr..
Clagett, as well as other removed
from the Governors list, will be
given some other job in the State
setup.
Mr.. Sadler, a district leader of
Montgomery County O'Coner-for-
Governor Club was recommended
for appointment by the Governor
by former States Attorney James
H. Pugh, who managed the O'Coner
campaign for Governor in that
county. While neither Mr.. Pugh
nor Mr.. Sadler could be reached
today, 1t was learned here they are
IN complete agreement with the
Governor and Mr.. Bruce regarding
the change