Evening star., 1940-05-04
Observers See
Close Race
For Kennedy
Representative and
Two Primary Foes
Woeing Clean Fight
BY JAMES E. CHINN
Star Stan Correypondent

BALTIMORE. Nd, May Care
ful observers of the political scene
In Maryland's .4th congressional
district today predicted q photo
finish in the race between Repre-
sentative Kennedy and his two op-
ponents in the fast approaching
Democratic primary election.
Mr.. Kennedy had a similar strug-
gle two years ago In the primary
and barely succeeded in saving his
political life in the subsequent gen.
eral election in November. Only by
200 votes did he lead Daniel Ellison,
q Baltimore City councilman, who
again is seeking Mr.. Kennedy's
House seat.
In this campaign. however, Mr..
Kennedy is more concerned over the
potential strength of his opposi-
ton. He knows If he defeats his
opponents in the primary election
Monday he must continue to tight
harder than ever to retain his
membership in the House, especially
II Mr.. Ellison is nominated by the
Republicans.
Expresses Confidence
Despite this situation, Mr.. Ken
nedy is confident Of victory. not only
In the primary but in the general
election, too. II am perfectly salts
fed that will win," he said.
The two men Representative Ken
nedy is trying to fight OF in the
primary are prominent Baltimore
lawyers. One is Stewart Brown; the
other, John A. Meyer.
The campaign in the fourth dis
trict so far has been what politicians
describe as clean"
There is, however, whispering
campaign that threatens Mr.. Ken
nedy. His two rivals in primary
fight have not made the charge,
but the people who 60 to political
rallies in Baltimore say quietly to
strangers: Hes high hat"
Those members of Congress and
newspapermen in Washington who
know Mr.. Kennedy rather in
timately would never believe such q
charge. But in Baltimore the situ-
ation Is different, particularly dur
ing the heat of primary election
fight. Mr.. Kennedy has an unlisted
telephone at his home and his op-
ponents have circulated the story
he didn't want the phone listed
so his constituents would not be
in a position to disturb the peace
and tranquility Of his domestic life.
Some people really believe that story
and this means the possible loss
of some badly needed votes. These
critics overlook the fact he has an
ONCE at 26 South Calvert street,
and his telephone number there
appears in the latest edition Of the
Baltimore telephone directory.
Spending Votes Attacked
The issues in the battle between
Mr.. Kennedy and his two oppon-
ents are not of the type that make
newspaper headlines. His principal
rival-Mr. Brown, "a years old, who
has degrees from Harvard and Johns
Hopkins Universities-is attacking
him on the ground he supported
President Roosevelt In an extrava-
CANT spending program.
Mr.. Kennedy, on the other hand,
Is campaigning strictly on his long
record of political service. Occasion
ally he mentions the fact he is chair
man of the busiest committee of the
House-the Claims Committee, which
handles legislation to pay those
persons who have a just bill against
the Federal Government for dam
ages. Once in awhile he calls atten-
ton to his positioo on the House
District Committee, where he is the
ranking majority member, but he
never speaks of his efforts Of the last
two years to reorganize the District
government in the interest of efiici-
ency and economy. The people in
his own congressional district ap-
parently are not interested in what
he does for those who live in WASH
ington. but he is elated, privately,
over the fact that reorganization
plan that now slightly resembles the
one he originally proposed is finally
In the form Of legislation, and is to
be considered by the House May 13.