Evening star., 1942-07-13
Party Leaders
Of State Rally
Behind 0'Conor
Lane of Hogerstown
Joins Buckers as
Jackson Withdrows
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
From Western Maryland to the
Eastern Shore, Democratic forces
today were rallying around Gov,
O'Conor, supporting him for re-
election, while leaders in the Repub-
lican political camp were still
attempting to recruit candidates for
the fall campaign.
Taking his place beside former
Gov. Emerson C. Harrington, pow
erful Dorchester County Democratic
leader; State Controller j. Millard
Tawes, and other avowed O'Conor-
ties, Democratic National Commit
teeman William Preston Lane, jr., of
Hagerstown was included in the
strong group that will attempt to
re-elect the Governor.
Jackson Declines to Run.
Announcements yesterday from
Mr.. Tawes and Mr.. Lane that they
would back O'Conor for reelection
came as natural aftermaths of
Howard w. Jackson's refusal to run
for the executives chair.
Though it is uncertain whether
they would have supported the Bal
timore Mayor had he sought the
gubernatorial candidacy, both the
controller and the Democratic Ma
tioaal committeeman were on Mr..
Jacksons side in the 1888 primary
battle.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Will
liam C. Walsh was expected momen-
tarily to enter the race-also at Gov.
O'Conor's side.
Like Mr.. TaWes and Mr.. Lane,
Mr.. Walsh was entrenched with the
Jackson forces in 1888. But he and
Mr.. Tawes were more fortunate than
Mayor Jackson, who wasn't nomi-
mated.
In announcing his candidacy for
controller, Mr.. Tawes said he was
acceding to the urging of so many
of our citizens to become d candi-
date for reelection" Further, ne
lauded the splendid work" of tbs
O'Conor administration.
COP Wants McKeldin.
On the Republican side the COP
Canvass Committee, pondering over
the apparently not-so-easy task OF
mobilizing a platoon of candidates
was awaiting definite word from
Theodore r. McKeldin, expected
today to render decision about
whether or not he would be avail
able as a gubernatorial candidate.
Mr.. McKeldin, Baltimore attor-
ney who only last Friday announced
he was not a candidate for any
office, was scheduled to confer this
morning with his political advisers
From that confab q final decision
was anticipated.
Despite his Friday statement, Mr.
McKeldin told the Associated Press
last night that any predictions he
would decline to run were pure
speculation. Since he had not ac-
cepted, he said he did not consider
himself a candidate. But he gave
no hint of whether or not he woulo
retain that status.
Others Delay Word.
Definite word likewise was await
ed from William A. Gunter, the
Canvass Committees choice for At,
torney General, and Fred r. Wad.
del of Hurlock, Dorchester County
it's selections for controller.
Coincident with Mr.. Tawes' an.
nouncement yesterday came Mr.
Lanes statement to the Associated
Press that he would support Gov
O'Conor.
The former attorney general. witt
succeeded in leading strong West.
ern Maryland faction to the Jack
son banner in the 1888 primary, sait
there was no question in his mine
that Gov. O'Conor's service to th'
State should be continued, and
shall support him for reelection
as Governor"
To date, about the only other def
mite campaign facts are that Ste
phen B. Peddicord of Baltimore ant
Thomas E. Cook of Frederick ar
also on the Democratic slate, pre-
pared to vie with Gov. O'Conor fo
the Democratic primary nod.