Evening star., 1941-04-19
Byron'sWidow
Offers toQu
Congress Race
Democrats to Name
Candidate Tonight;
Election Is May II
By BEN III. PEARSE.

Democratic leaders of the five
Western Maryland counties will
caucus at Hagerstown tonight to
choose a candidate to succeed the
late Representative Byron in an
atmosphere clouded by the condi-
tional withdrawal Of his widow from
the race.
The surprise announcement last
night by Mrs. Katherine Byron, who
had been actively campaigning for
the nomination, that she would
withdraw if w. Preston Lane, Mary
land Democratic national commit
teeman and former attorney gen.
eral, would reconsider his refusal
to run, added a second condition to
an already complicated situation.
With the special election set for
May 27 in the formal proclamation
signed yesterday by Gov. O'Conor,
and A. Charles Stewart of Frostburg
already designated as the Repub-
lican nominee, the Democratic CEN
trail committeeman from the 9Th
Maryland district are faced with the
problem of working out an har-
monious solution from an unhar-
monious situation.
Lane Seen Definitely Out.
However, the offer of Mrs. Byron
to withdraw in favor of Mr.. Lane
is not expected to change his po-
sition, although meeting of the
Washington County Democratic
State Central Committee has been
called for this afternoon and some
announcement is expected to be
Forthcoming before the caucus to-
night.
Observers believe Mr.. Lane is def
nitely out of the race and would
not bow to the draft" movement
launched by the Central Committee
of his home county Wednesday and
given support by Mrs. Byron in her
statement last night.
What Mrs. Byron's attitude Will
be should Mr.. Lane stay out OF the
race was a matter of speculation,
but her chances for the nomination
appeared TO be dim in view Of the
attitude of committeeman from
other counties.
Cobey Is Endorsed.
The Allegany County committee
already has Endorsed w. Earle Cobey.
FroStburg attorney, associate OF At
torney General William c. Walsh.
unless Mrs. Byron secures the in
dorsement of her home county COM
mittee, which she SO far has failed
to do Leaders in Frederick and
Montgomery Counties are definitely
against Mrs. Byron's candidacy on
the ground she would be unable to
defeat Mr.. Stewart, recognized as
a strong opponent.
The Montgomery County COM
mittee is responsible for pushing the
candidacy of David j. Lewis, former
Representative from the district, but
would be agreeable to Mr.. Cobey if
he should be chosen tonight. Fred
erick County leaders are expected to
suggest State Senator John B. Funk,
but also are believed willing to sup
port Mr.. Cobey if he appears to be
the choice of the other groups.
Party members reasoned that Mr..
Cobey would be more likely to cut
into the Republican vote in Gar
rett' and Allegany Counties than
would Mrs. Byron. They also fig
ured that a woman candidate would
not draw the whole-hearted support
of the Democrats.
Widow Explains Position.
Mrs. Byron's move came in the
form of a virtual plea to Mr.. Lane
to accept the nomination, which
observers conceded was his for the
asking. She sent kilograms to men,
bers of the various central COM
mittees setting forth her position.
She said that "if the interests OF
my party cannot best be served by
my nomination, then l wish to urge
that the person next closest to my
late husband be nominated" The
person she named was Mr.. Lane.
Il am aware" she said, that Mr..
Lane has eliminated himself from
any consideration for the nomina-
ton because of my availability"
Mrs. Byron added that if she, a
mother of five children, were will
ing TO make sacrifices to run for the
nomination, Mr.. Lane should be
ready to heed public demand to
be drafted" She promised him
her "wholehearted support" If ha