Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-09-10
Smith Elected
To Shaw sPost
In Montgomery
Several Mentioned
As Possible Successors
To E. Brooke Lee

AS Possible Successors
To E. Brooke Lee
As speculation centered on a
successor to e. Brooke Lee, titu-
lar head of Montgomery County
Democrats who announced his
retirement last night, 1t was
learned today that J. Bond
Smith of Takoma Park has been
named as new chairman of the
State Central Committee for the
county.
Mr.. Lee, county leader for the last
"a years, who also ranks high in the
State organization of Gov. Lane,
made the surprise announcement
that he would step aside at a party
for Democratic, workers at the home
of Lacy Shaw, near Colesville.
Mr.. Shaw at the same time an
nounced he was quitting as head OF
the State Central Committee and
Mr.. Smiths election followed.
May Indorse Charter.
A significant development came
when indications were given a move
would be started whereby the Demo-
cratic organization may indorse a
charter form Of government to re-
gain its majority position in the
county. now governed by Repub-
ican-controlled Board of County
Commissioners.
Mr.. Lee did not hold his title
as party head by virtue of formal
election to the post and his present
ofiicial duty is as member Of the
Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission.
Speculation on q successor to Mr..
Lee as party leader today centered
on five men, all of whom have been
active in Democratic affairs for
many years.
Heading the list, by virtue of his
elevation to the Craftsmanship Of
the State Central Committee, is
Mr. Smith.
Ordinarily, as one prominent
county Democrat pointed out, the
State automatically assumes the
reins Of leadership.
Since that post is now held by
q Republican, it would be logical
for the State Central Committee
chairman to act also as head of the
Democratic organization, party
spokesman explained.
Others Mentioned.
Others mentioned IS possible
Democratic leaders are Alfred D.
Noyas, judge Of the Juvenile Court;
Joseph A. Cantrel, unsuccessful
Democratic candidate for State
Senator in the 1916 general election;
James w. Gill, Silver Spring attor-
ney and chairman of the Caucus
Committee of the State Central
Committee, and Albert E. Brault,
Bethesda attorney and a member
Of the State Central Committee.
According to some Democrats in
the county, it had been reported
that Circuit Court Judge 6tedmGn
Prescott, q former Democratic State
Senator, would resign to take over
the party leadership.
When questioned, however, Judge
Prescott said he had no such
thoughts"
Mr.. Smith was the elected head
Of the State Central Committee, a
political group. He is an attorney
of Washington and Montgomery
County and is counsel to the Park
and Planning Commission.
Reason for Quitting.
In announcing his resignation,
Mr.. Lee said he has neglected his
business and other personal affairs
to do the work of the Democratic
Party in the county and State.
1.-THE days of let Brooke do it. are
over" he asserted, adding that this
Is not swan song; far from it. It
is a statement of a man who in
tends to attend to his own business
and opportunities first and then par
ticipate on a generally and widely
shared basis In the activities OF the
Democratic organization"
He placed the responsibility Of
the party's future squarely in the
lap Of the young men and women
OF World War II service.
Mr.. Lee also announced that after
the principal work now being car
ried on by the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission is effectuated, he will be I'M
willing to continue the responsible
ity of the Offices Of vice chairman
and park commissioner.
Hits Charter Movement.
Turning to the charter movement,
Mr.. Lee characterized it as the
most unjustified development that
I have observed In local American
politics"
He stated, however, that in re-
building the Democratic organiza-
ton in the county he regarded 1t
rs essential ito include the hopes
and aspirations Of the new suburban
population and TO also meet the
phenomena Of the charter move
ment in the county"
He added that he also was con-
WINGED that it would be extremely
unwise for the thoughtful citizens
of this county to fail to adopt the
new or 1913 charter" and said he
was In favor of voting for this char
ter in 1913.
After a number of informal talks
which followed Mr.. Lees declara ton
of his stand on the charter, it was
voted to hold q meeting Of precinct
chairmen and workers in about six
weeks to vote on the rebuilding pro-
gram and on the charter. The chair
men were directed to contact Demo
cratic voters in their districts to
ascertain their desires regarding the
charter.