Evening star., 1942-07-13
Party Leaders
Of State Rally
Behind 0'Conor
Lone Of Hoeerstown
Joins Buckers as
Jackson Withdrows
Dy the Associated Press.

0y 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 1t Is uncertain whether
they would have supported the Bal
timore Mayor had he sought the
gubernatorial candidacy, both the
controller and the Democratic Ma
tionaI committeeman were on Mr..
Jackson's side in the 1888 primary
battle.
Meanwhile, Attorney General VIII
liam G. Walsh was expected momef1-
tarily 10 enter the race-also ut Gov.
O'Conor's side.
Z Like Mr.. Tawes and Mr.. Lane,
Mr.. walsh was entrenched with the
Jackson forces in 1888. But he and
Mr.1TAwes 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 70 many
Of our citizens to become & candi-
date for. reelection" Further, he
lauded the splendid work" Of the
O'Conor administration.
GOP Wants MeKsIdin.
On the Republican side the COP
Canvass Committee, pondermg over
the apparently not-so-easy task Of
mobilizing . 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 . gubernatorial candidate.
Mr.. McKeldin. Baltimore attor-
ney who only last Friday announced
he was not ! candidate f6f any
ONCE, was scheduled to confer this
morning With his political advisers.
From that oon1ab . fnal decision
was Antteipoted
Ds1iis hk ri 4t1Dppt M.
NcKeldin told tha A sErsss
Last nl9ht that Any - (lD1Hs he
would decline 10 ftlm weE pure
speculation. since he had HI ae-
ceptsd, he said hs dId not condder
himseh . candidate. But he gave
no hint Of whether or not 4woald
retain that status.
Others Delay Werd.
Definite word likewise was await
ed from william A. 0unter, 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
nolmcement yesterday came Mr..
Lanes statement to the Associated
Press that he would support Gov.
O'Conor.
The former attorney general, who
succeeded In leading . strong West
ern Maryland faction to the Jack
son banner In the 1898 primary, said
there was no question in his mind
that Gov. O'Conor's service to the
Stats should be continued. and I
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 and
Thomas Z. Cook Of Frederick are
| also on the Democratic slate, pre-
pared to vie with Gov. O'Conor for
the Democrats primary nod.