Evening star., 1950-10-20
McKe|din Turns
Campaign Tour
To Dorchester
Republican Hoping
To Capitalize on Rift
Among Democrats
BY Alex R. Preston
Sfor Stoff Correspondent

CAMBRIDGE, Md, Oct. 90
Republicans came to Dorchester
County today hoping to capitalize
on factionalism which has split
the local Democratic organization.
Theodore r. McKeldin, Repub-
lican candidate for Governor, and
his running mates were in this
county only two days after their
Democratic opponents had stump
ed the precincts.
Gov. Lane had conducted a
'McKeldin- like" campaign of the
area on Wednesday. In contrast
with many of his visits elsewhere,
the Governor, and his running
mates went into the crossroads
stores, seafood packing houses and
filling stations. This has been
routine procedure for Mr.. Nickel
din throughout the drive.
Democrats here are divided into
two camps, one led by Grayson
Winterbottom, head of the big
Phillips Packing Co., and the other
by Emerson C. Harrington, jr., son
of the late Governor of Maryland.
Feelings Injured.
Mr.. Harrington supported George
P. Mahoney. Gov. Lanes opponent
in the August primary. Mr.. Win
terbottom was Lane man.
But both have had their feel
ings hurt. Now. there's no telling
what will happen in Dorchester
County where more than 5000
Democrats and $500 Republicans
are registered.
Mr.. Winterbottom contends
Gov Lane has not paid the re-
spect due his 80-odd years.
Mr.. Harrington says he has
not heard from Gov. Lane since
the primary, although Senator
Tydings has called him three
times.
County Carried by Lane.
-Four years ago in the Senate
race Dorchester gave D. John
Markey, Republican, 4.487 votes
against '3,137 for former Gov.
Herbert r. O'Conor, the Demo-
cratic nominee, who won. But
among Democrats Gov. Lane
carried the county against Mr..
Mahoney in the recent primary
by 1882 to 2,799. Mr.. Markey
polled more votes in the recent
Republican primary than. his op-
ponent, John Marshall Butler
for the Senate nomination Mr.
Butler, like Gov. Lane, won the
nomination by virtue of unit votes
from the most populous counties,
rather than by popular vote.
Mr.. McKeldin charged last
night at Wicomico County rally
in Salisbury that Gov. Lane has
completely surrendered to the
city bosses"
-Four years ago, when Mr. Nc
Keldin opposed Gov Lane, the
vote in that county was Lane,
3,798. and McKeldin, 4,327. Re-
publicanS predict Mr.. McKeldin
will carry the county this year
by a 500-vote majority.
Biggest Contest in Baltimore.
Mr.. McKeldin's biggest fight ap-
pears to be in Baltimore. He is
regarded as safe" in most of
the counties by reporters who have
been travelling with the COP cara
van continuously.
THE people are angry now, Mr.
Lane" the Republican said. They
want to know where all the money
has gone, and why you have COL
lected-and are continuing to COL
lect-millions and millions of dol
lars more than is needed to run
the States business"
The McKeldin caravan earlier
had covered Wicomico from head
to tail"
In typical manner, Mr.. McKeldin
alighted from his car at Delmar,
Md, and walked into a store on
the Delaware side of the town.
1T doesn't matter" he said.
"They live and vote in Maryland.
Makes 80 Stops in County.
He was right. Mrs Sherman
Oliphant, who operates the store
with her husband, said she lives
in Maryland but does business in
Delaware.
In all. about 80 crossroads stops
were made by the Republicans in
Wicomico County. Included were
five shirt factories where scores of
women are employed.
At the Powerville shirt factory,
Mr.. McKeldin spoke over a public
address system ordinarily used to
give orders to the 10 women work.
ing at electric sewing machines.
During his 2-minute greeting they
continued with their work.
Edgar T. Bennett, chairman of
the Republican State Central
Committee, led the party through
Wicomico. The caravan was pre-
cede6 by a miniature automobile
with sound equipment. It played
a little hillbilly music and a bit
of Tommy Dorsey. The technique
was for the car to go to selected
point. play its music and wait
until the caravan arrived. A pro-
fessional auctioneer at the wheel
and microphone would herald the
arrival of the McKeldin party.
When it had arrived, he would
speed off to the next stopping
place.
In Wicomico the Republican
party has two of four members of
the House of Delegates, three of
five county commissioners and the
county treasurer. Charles w.
Bennett has been treasurer for
20 years.
Four years ago Wicomico gave
Gov. Lane 3,798 votes to 4,327 for
Mr.. McKeldin, but Senator