Evening star., 1942-07-09
0'Conor Announces
His Candidacy in
September Primary
Mayor Jackson Due
To Reveal Political
Intentions Sunday
By the Associated Press.


BALTIMORE, July 9.-With Gov.
O'Conor definitely September pri-
mary candidate, the Democratic gu
bernatorial horizon cleared percep-
tibly today, and political observers,
awaiting some commitment Sunday
from Mayor Howard w. Jackson of
Baltimore, expected much remain
ing haziness to be dispelled.
Gov. O'Conor announced his can
didacy yesterday while his political
foe of long standing, Mayor Jack
son, was in New York attending a
meeting of the United States Con-
ference of Mayors at the office OF
Mayor La Guardia. Before leav-
ing, Mr.. Jackson had told Balti-t
more newsmsn he expected ID dis
close his political Intentions Sun
day. 80 t's, tes y e.
Gov. O'Conor, at the executive Of
fees In Baltimore issued q statement
late yesterday formally setting forth
his position.
within the present month per-
sons aspiring to statewide offices
will be required to indicate their
1 intention of submitting their can
! didacies in the primary elections to
| be held in September.
War Paramount Consideration.
This fact has led to inquiries OF
me from various sources, including
| representatives of the press, as to
whether I shall be a candidate for
reelection to the governorship,' the
statement said.
1T has been suggested that with
the short intervening period re-
manning, my intentions might be
stated at this time, rather than to
wait until the expiration date few
weeks hence"
Announcing his candidacy. Gov.
OConor said the World War, with
it's unprecedented challenge to every
fundamental institution in America,
So completely overshadoWs every
thing of a State and local nature
that paramount consideration must
be given to the war effort, includ-
ing the part which Maryland can
continue to play in the all-impor-
tant struggle to overthrow the forces
of militarism and the enemies of
the American way of life.
While the controlling interests
of the world struggle and the active
part which our State has played
and will continue to play in this
supreme effort, outweigh detailed
consideration in this statement Of
all State achievements and State
policies, I expect to discuss straight
forwardly and completely. before
election, every major question which
should be or could be raised in such
contest"
Defense Preparations Cited.
He contended Maryland has had
continuously under way, plans and
activities designed to prepare us for
any emergency and added the
States defense setup was well
started more than year before
Pearl Harbor.
Gov. OConnor said also civilian
defense efforts had been successful,
that Maryland had played "a con-
SplcuOuS part IN wa. production ana
that we have experienced con-
centration of war industries in this
State ana cur administration has
eagerly taken part in negotiations
with Federal agencies for their as
sistance"
In financial matters, Gov. O'Con-
nor claimed this admins ration
literally rescued Maryland from
the most unfortunate plight into
which the State had slipped during
the years preceding 1859.
'As promised during the 1883
campaign, the budget was balanced
borrowing for current needs was
stopped and the approximately S4,-
100000 OF gasoline tax funds, that
annually was being diverted to other
purposes, was restored to road con-
structlon and maintenance"
He said he would not have time
for an extensive camDaion