Evening star., 1948-10-27
PrinceGeorges
Democrats Push
Truman Drive
County's Republicans
f, Equally Confident
Of Dewey Victory
This is one in a series on the
political situation in neurby
Maryland.)
By John Y. 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 a majority next Tuesday.
Most workers in both political
parties concede that Representative
Sasscer, head of the Democratic or
ganization, will ring up another
victory in the 5th District. They
agree, however, that his margin
over c. Maurice Weidemeyer, the
Republican House nominee, prob
ably will be reduced this year.
5000 Presidential Margin.
State Senator L. Harold Sothoron.
director of the Democratic cam.
paign, predicted President Truman
will lead Gov. Dewey by 5000 votes
IN Prince Georges. The estimate
was based on total vote of 10000.
Ihe 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
Ollt the rnayiyo,,,,, x,o&o l., L.L.,ss
Gov. Dewey and Gov. Warren.
I cannot help but believe" he
said, that we'll carry Prince
Georges. In 1914, the results
amounted practically to a stand-off.
Gov. Dewey led by about 200 votes
until the absentee service voters
ballots were counted, and the final
outcome showed President Roosevelt
ahead by 2o0."
Outside Chance for House.
Mr.. Fletcher said this Is "a Repub-
llcan year" and declared the fact
viii be reflected in the tabulations.
or the House contest, he added:
Mr.. Weidemeyer represents the
best candidate we have put into the
field In a 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 very strong
Democratic organization.
We are stressing everywhere ths
lack OF effectiveness that would re-
suit If we have Republican Presi.
dent but a Democratic congress-
man"
The Republicans are waging their
campaign through the permanent
Prince Georges County Republican
Club and the Dewey -Warren-Weide.
MEYER Club formed for campaian
purposes. Mr.. Fletcher said the
g. 0. 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 MIR. 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. CoSeoor