Evening star., 1951-02-24
Prince Georges
Delegates Split
On Party Lines
Republicans Accuse
Democrats of Falling
To Consult Them
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor Sfoff correspordsnt

Sfur Sfoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 24.-The six
man Prince Georges County dele
cation today was split wide open.
with the two Democratic members
accusing the Republican majority
of introducing bills under the dele
cations name without consulting
them.
The charges were made by Leroy
Pumphrey and Perry o. Wilkinson,
both Of whom are serving third
terms in the General Assembly.
The statements brought strong
denials from the four Republican
delegates as well as from Senator
John r. Fletcher, also a Repub-
lican, all of whom were elected
for the first time last year.
Pumphrey Gives Warning.
Political differences between
the Democratic and Republican
delegates had been smouldering
since the General Assembly con-
vened last month. But yesterday
marked the first time they were
brought into the open.
Mr.. Pumphrey, in his bitterly
worded statement, threatened
bluntly to oppose on the House
floor any delegation bill about
which he has not been informed
and which appears "bad."
He recalled that during past
sessions of the Legislature, the
delegation acted as a unit on its
bills because we all represented
the same party"
cat the beginning of this term"
he said, II made it clear that the
situation was different and that
if there was not agreement in the
delegation, on a particular meas
ure, it should be introduced under
the name of the Delegate sponsor.
ing it.
Says They Didn't Inform Him.
Notwithstanding this, the Re-
publican members of the delega-
ton are introducing bills under
the name of the delegation when
nothing is said to me about them.
nor am I told when a meeting Of
the delegation will be held to dis
cuSS them.
II still think I represent a siz-
able portion of Prince Georges
County's population, despite the
Republican victory. But apparent
ly the Republicans are proceeding
on the theory that I was not
elected"
In agreeing with his colleague.
Mr.. Wilkinson claimed that even
when local bills are referred back
to the delegation, the Republican
majority takes favorable action on
them without either of us being
consulted"
When these reports go back to
the House. he said. they give the
impression that the entire dele
cation is in agreement when as a
matter of fact, we haven't even
been consulted"
Republican Replies.
Mr.. Wilkinson added, when any
matter pertaining to our county
is at stake, we should be notified
and should be in at all hearings for
the interest of good government in
the county"
In reply John F. Lillard, jr., one
of the Republican members, said
"if the gentlemen say they have
never been consulted. it is mis-
statement of fact"
He said that on many occasions
when the delegation met to dis
cuss local legislation, Mr.. Pum-
phrey could not be found.
He also criticized the two Demo-
cratic delegates for taking their
grievances to the press without
first talking them over with the
rest of the delegation.
Another Republican member,
William R. CHuck) Hughes, in
sisted that 1--WE have leaned over
backwards to arrange our meet
ings at their convenience"
Says He's Hard to Find.
However" Mr.. Hughes went
on, "it was virtually impossible
to find Mr.. Pumphrey the first
IS days of the session. During
that period, he was absent from
the House more than any one
else"
"As for Mr.. Wilkinson, he seems
to be far too busy with his COM
mittee work in his private Office
and apparently has little time to
attend the countless daily sessions
held in the delegation headquar.
ters."
From Senator Fletcher came
the statement that the two Demo-
cratic delegates 'have been noti-
fled of all delegation meetings
so far as I have been able to
ascertain" He added:
"They have been requested to
join with us in attendance at all
hearings on measures where
hearings have been asked"