Evening star., 1948-10-27
PrinceGeorges
Democrats Push
Truman Drive
county's Republicans
Equally Confident
Of Dewey Victory
fThis is one in series ON the
political situation in nearby
Maryland.)
By John Y. Homer

By John v. Homer
Democratic leaders in Prince
Georges County are waging the
most vigorous campaign for Presi-
dent Truman in any Southern
Maryland area.
AS a consequence they expect
to deliver the county to the
Democratic column, notwithstand-
ing the Republican trend and wide-.,
spread apathy among the voters. ]
The Republicans, on the other
hand, are equally confident that
Prince Georges will give Gov.
Dewey majority next Tuesday. !
Most workers in both political8
parties concede that Representative
Sasscer, head of the Democratic or i
ganization, will ring up anothers
victory in the 5th District. They4
agree, however, that his margin
over c. Maurice Weidemeyer, the
Republican House nominee, prob
ably will be reduced this year. 4
5000 Presidential Margin. :
State Senator L. Harold Sothoron.
director of the Democratic CAM
palgn, predicted President Truman
Will lead Gov. Dewey by 5000 votes
IN Prince Georges. The estimate
was based on a total vote of 10000.
We're set to co." he said, "and
this organization can really roll
Well get out the plain, ordinary
organization vote"
The Democratic optimism is dis
counted. by top Republicans. John
Il. Fletcher of Cheverly, party chair
man, said the COP has an efficient
precinct organization which will get
OUT the maximum vote in behalf of
Gov. Dewey and Gov. Warren.
Il cannot help but believe" he
said, that we'll carry Prince
Georges. In 1914, the results
amounted practically to a stand-of.
Coy. Dewey led by about 200 votes
until the absentee service voters
ballots were counted, and the final
outcome showed President Roosevelt
ahead by 200."'
Outside Chance for House.
Mr.. Fletcher said this Is "a Repub.
lican year" and declared the fact
Will be reflected in the tabulations.
OF the House contest, he added:
"Mr. Weidemeyer represents the
best candidate we have put into the
field in long time. He has made
substantial inroadS. I feel he has
an outside chance to carry Prince
Georges. We recognize, of course,
that we are bucking a yerys strong
Democratic organization.
I. I'VE are stressing everywhere tina
lack of effecAReness thafMould rel
snH If We hk4e Repunl an Presi-a
dent but sDemocratiS Congress-
man" - .ssSs i
campaign thFough the rmanenE
Prince Georges County Republican
Club and the Dewey -WarreTl-Weide.
meyer Club. formed for campaign
purposes. Mr.. Fletcher said the
G. o. P. vote will be brought out by
the use of precinct block workers.
Thomas Elmo Jones, former mem
Der of the Maryland Public Service
Commission. and Delegate William
H. McGrath, Seat Pleasant attorney,
both Democratic leaders, expressed
confidence that the party ticket
would emerge on top in the county
and said Representative Sasscer
would run well ahead of the ticket.
Greene Predicts Dewey.
Daniel M. Greene Of Avondale, a.
retired attorney long affiliated with
the Republican Party, echoed Chair
man Fletcher's remarks. He pre-
dicted Gov. Dewey will take Prince
Georges because Truman is not as
strong as President Roosevelt" Mr..
Greene said Mr.. Weidemeyer is bet
ter known than he was in losing
to Representative Sasscer in 1914.
He made no prediction regarding
the outcome of this contest.
Walter F. Mulligan of Berwyn,
perennial president of the Prince
Georges County Civic Federation,
who describes himself as an inde-
pendent voter, said the winning
combination will be Gov. Dewey and
Mr. Sasscer.
Neutral observers are Of the opin-
ion that the stay -at-home vote will
be an important factor in the pres
idential and House contests. If the
Democratic organization functions
as it has in some previous elections.
the Sasscer margin will be sizeable
and President Truman will make q
better showing than the Republi-
cans predict.
Four Local Issues.
These observers doubt, however,
that the electorate will be aroused
sufficiently to give the candidates
the relative backing forthcoming in
normal years. Figures from the
Board Of Election Supervisors show
that the Democrats outnumber the
about 10000 to 1880.
In four election districts of this
county the voters will pass upon
a proposal to adopt a fire tax of 10
cents per s1o0 assessed valuation.
These are Oxon Hill, Spauldings.
Seat Pleasant and Lanham. The
referenda provide the only strictly
local issue.
A minimum of interest has beef
shown in the seven constitutional
and one Statewide
referendum on which Maryland will
pass.
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