Evening star., 1946-06-22
lnsurgent Democrats
Facing Strength Test
In Prince Georges
By Alex R. Preston


the party organization now in
power, headed by Representative
Sasscer, constitutes the main in
terest Of local primary contests in
Prince Georges County which are
to be decided Monday.
In a county where Democrats
outnumber Republicans to / on
the registered voters list and where
the COP has not one elected Office
holder in the county administra-
ton, results Of the minority party's
primary hold only nominal interest
to the average citizen.
Representative Sasscer heads one
of the most efficient political or
ganizations in the State and every
well-informed quarter at campaign
headquarters in Baltimore as well
as in other sections Of Southern
Maryland Is confident that Prince
Georges seven Democratic conven-
ton votes will be cast for the nomi-
nation of Representative Baldwin
for Governor and for Gov. O'Conor
who seeks the United States Senate
seat. They are favored by the
SaSscer organization.
Veterans Committee"
Rebellion within the party is ex-
pected to be felt In one or two of
the local contests, however. The
insurgents have constituted them
selves as the Democratic Veterans
Committee, although there are some
nonveterans on their ticket.
Conversely, the Democratic Or
ganization's ticket has a total of Is
veterans listed, including their Sc
lections for State and national Of
fees. They also point out that
while Representative Baldwin is not
himself a veteran, he lost two sons
in World War II.
Even organization Democrats con-
cede the popularity and probable
denomination of a man who heads
the veterans local ticket. He is
Samuel H. Harvey, who is seeking
to retain his seat in the House Of
Delegates. Only two others are
being pushed by the Veterans Com
mittee for the six House seats. They
are Charles F. Luebner, Riverdale.
and Robert B. Matthias, son Of the
present Mayor Of Riverdale.
Organization Lineup. g..
Against them the Democratic or
ganization has aligned r. Raymond
Burch, Berwyn; William H. Nc
Grath, Seat Pleasant; George G..
McLeish, Bladensburg; Leroy Pum-
phrey, Mellwood; Napoleon b.
Steward, Laurel, and Perry O.
wilkinson, Hyattsville.' The latter
three are incumbents. -
Although Ernest M. Greer,
Spauldings. is a veteran. and is not
a choice of the Democratic organi-
zation, the Veterans Committee did
not add his name to their slate for
county commissioner despite the
fact theyshave listed but four candi-
dates when five are to be elected.
The Organization candidates for
commissioner are John H. Beall,
Mount Rainer: William A. Carson,
Riverdale and D. Leonard Dyer,
Accokeek, incumbents; Norman H.
Collins, Spauldings, and Harry w.
McNamee, Berwyn. The four Vet.
erans' Committee candidates are
Frederick M. Coxen, Chillum:
Thomas r. Freeman. Greenbelt;
Ramon Granados. Riverdale, and
Roland L. Nichols, Laurel. .
State Central Committee. g
The committee has offered only
three candidates for the six-member
State Central Committee: Ernest H.
Mulligan, Colmar Manor; Chris
Sondberg, Riverdale, and Walter e.
Squires, Bowie. The organizat tion
candidates, all incumbents. are Mrs.
Mary w. Browning, Riverdale; Hen.
ry w. Cord. Lanham, chairman;
Charles S. Early, Brandywine: Ed.
ward Al. Fuller, Hyattsville: Irwin I.
Main, Seat Pleasant, and Frank 3.
Smith, Mount Rainier.
Organization circles are making
political capital out of the Veterans
Committee selections for registrar
of wills. While only one can be
elected, their ticket carries the
names both of Russell Travers. Col
lege Park insurance man and former
county policeman who is non.
veteran, and Leland G. Worthington
ST., Berwyn, former University Of
Maryland and Hyattsville High
School faculty member and vet.
eran of World War I. The Demo-
cratic organization is pushing the
nomination of Griffith S. Oursler
The winner of this race will be
assured of election in November
since Republicans did not nominats
a candidate for the Office. :.
Deputy Sheriff T. Ward Martin
Brandywine, bears organization sup
port for sheriff while Eugene B
Plumer, Mount Rainier, is sponsored
by the veterans. A third candidate
is John G. Duvall, Naylor. i.
COP Downfall Dated.
| Prince Georges Republicanism' 4
downfall dates back to the death
of Gardiner Coale, Marlboro leader
several years ago, Representative
Sasscer has stated. The fact that
Chairman William A. Duvall of the
Republican State Central Commit
tee is not seeking reelection is an
indication in the minds of some
Democrats that the party is fast
deteriorating in the county. They
also say the reported change of party
afiliation by G. Bowie McCeney,
Laurel attorney and newspaper puh-
Usher and a COP leader for many
years, and of Sherman H. Hollings-
worth, University Park contractor
another figurehead in the past, are
added indications Of the state o.
affairs.
The last Republican oficeholdel
was William T. Davis, registrar pl
wills for many years, who was de;
feated by william E. Clifton, thj
incumbent.
A Democratic organization break.
away occurred in the case of Mr.
Clifton, who sought organization
support for sheriff in Monday
primary, but when the support wen,
to Mr.. Martin, Mr.. Clifton filed a;
an independent. -. -.
Endorsements Limited H,