Evening star., 1942-07-12
Maryland COP
Drafts MckeIdin
For Governor
Refusal Possible;
Jackson Won't
Oppose O'Conor
b the Associated Press.


BALTIMORE. July 11.-Theodere
Roosevelt McKeldin, Baltimore at
torney, was drafted today as the
Republican candidate for Governor
by an authorized committee, as
Mayor Howard w. Jackson an
nounced he would not be candi-
date for the Democratic nomina-
tion. 49,. .....-.
The q. o. P. committee, appointed
BY State wide group to select
candidates for State Offices, drafted
a whole ticket for the first time
in Maryland's history. The COM
rnittee members chose Mr.. Nc
Keldin unanimously less than "a
hours after he had announced he
would not be candidate for the
nomination.
William A. Gunter, Cumberland
attorney, was chosen to be candl-
date for attorney general and Fred
A. Waddell of Hurlock, Dorchester
County, as nominee for State con-
troller.
The Baltimore Sun said Mr.. Nc
Keldin's closest political friends
were counseling him not to run and
added that it was considered likely
he would heed their advice and re-
fuse to be drafted into the race.
TAFT Also Declines.
Mr.. McKeldin and Galen L. TAFT,
former candidate for the party's
senatorial nomination, both in
formed the committee last night
they did not wish to be considered
for any office.
Mayor Jackson's announcement
precluded a repetition OF the bitter
Democ. attic primary fight of 1888
and, political leaders believed, left
the field clear for Gov. O'Conor.
No major candidate has yet come
forward to oppose Gov. OConor, VINO
has announce ed for reelection.
Mr.. Jeckson's role in the present
political picture has changed several
times in the past few months. At
first, observers said he was little in
clined to try for the gubernatorial
nomination. Then several weeks
ego he was reported to have said he
was leaning toward another try
for 1t.
Urged to Make Race.
During the past week, however,
insiders were betting he wouldn't be
a candidate. His announcement
today confirms those predictions.
In a brief statement Mr.. jackson
said friends had urged him to enter
the primaries, but complex prob
lens created by the war had led him
to decide mot to become candi-
date" He added that he felt he
could not engage in . Statewide
campaign without impairing the
effort needed TO perform my duties
for the people Of Baltimore as their
Mayor and. as director OF civilian
defense and co-ordinator for the
metropolitan area.
"1n these times the paramount
obligation of all good citizens is to
employ their best efforts and their
resources to win the war. Nothing
else matters"
The Baltimore city head was
asked to comment on the statement
made this week by William Curran,
opposed political leader, that Mr..
jackson should be reelected Mayor
In l943. The Mayor said he wasn't
thinking about 1943.
Beaten Only Once.
: "Well, what about Mr.. Curran's
statement suggesting your political
forces and his unite in selection OF
the best candidates for State and
National offices this year?" he was
asked.
.If were to answer that" he
replied, IT would say / always sup
ported the best candidates. But to-
day what 1 want to say Is in my
statement"
Until Mr.. Jackson tangled with
Gov. O'Conor in the 1888 primaries,
the Mayor had never been beaten at
the polls. The primary battle was
fought all down the line. At first
the contest was a four-way strug-
gle. Then it resolved into two
way fight between Mr.. Jackson and
Gov. OConor. They fought it out,
with Gov. O'Conor winning the
Democratic nomination by slim
margin.
Since then Gov. O'Conor's in
cumbency and his support of
Roosevelt in 1910 added to the Gov
ernors political strength, chiefly at
Mr.. Jackson's expense, experts be-
lieved.