Evening star., 1951-09-30
Friends Expect
Sasscer 10 Run
Against 0'Conor
Maryland Democrat
Foction Repeatedly
Wants Senator Out
By John v. Horner

oppose Senator Herbert r. O'Con-
or In the Democratic Party pri-
mary next spring.
MIR. Sasscer declined to COM
ment directly upon the report but
has told friends that he will be
available for the race if sentiment
against Senator O'Conor jells.
He said that officially he is a
candidate for reelection to the
House but he would not eliminate
himself as probable contende,
for the Senate seat.
Replacement Desired.
Mr.. Sasscer is a member of q
group of prominent Maryland
Democratic leaders who repeatedly
are interested in replacing Sen
ator O'Conor. They include Con-
troller j. Millard Tawes of Girls
field, former Representative H.
STREET. Baldwin of Baltimore
County and DR.. Harry c. Byrd,
University of Maryland president.
Mr.. Tawes and Mr.. Baldwin
definitely eliminated themselves
as possible Senate candidates in
reply to inquiries from The Star.
DR.. Byrd was out of town and
could not be reached for comment
but he is mentioned as a more
likely candidate for Governor in
1854, if he runs for any Office.
Another member of the dissi-
dent group is former Senator
George Radcliffe of Baltimore, de-
feated by Senator O'Conor in the
1916 primary. Friends said it is
improbable that he would be a
candidate but that he is prepared
to work against Senator O'Conor
in the 1852 primary.
known As King Maker.
AS dean of the Maryland con-
gressional delegation, Mr.. Sasscel
is well known throughout the
State. He is undisputed leader OF
the Democratic organization in
Southern Maryland and fire.
quently has demonstrated powers
as king-maker in political con-
teStS-some of which benefited
Senator O'Conor.
A primary fight between Repre-
sentative Sasscer and Senator
O'Conor would match two of the
States best campaigners.
Mr.. Tawes said he knew Repre-
sentative SaSscer had been ap-
preached about running for the
Senate but that a final decision
has not been made. He declined to
say "at this time whom he would
support, but declared there is a
definite trend for removal of Sem
ator O'Conor.
Baldwin Commits Self.
Mr.. Baldwin said he would be
inclined to do whatever he could
for Mr.. Sasscer, whom he de-
scribed as a loyal friend.
The O'Conor opposition is at
tributed in part to resentment over
Federal patronage. Some of the
dissidents have said the Senator
and Democratic National Com
mitteeman George P. Mahoney
have teamed up to decide job ap-
pointments without consulting
other party leaders.
There are other factors, not be-
ing discussed openly. Many Mary
landers have objected to Senator
O'Conor's role as a member OF
the Senate Crime Investigating
Committee
After Senator Kefauver retired
as chairman, Senator O'Conol
took the post. During his tenure
the committee held public hear
ings on organized crime in Mary
land. No other State represented
by the Senate probers was investi-
gated
Results Were Displeasing.
The committee had some un-
complimentary things to say about
parts Of Maryland. The unfavor-
able publicity displeased some poll
ticians as we'll as gambling inter-
ests. But beyond that. citizens
who favor house cleaning In
Maryland contended the investi.
gators did little more than scratch
the surface.
Mr.. Mahoney doomed Senator
O'Conor for denomination at a
party gathering in Salisbury yes
terday
Speaking from the same plat
form with the senator, Mr.. Ma
honey was quoted by the Associ-
ated Press as saying:
Members of the Democratic
Party who have been elected ir
Maryland have been men of abil-
ity and foresight. We have with
us tonight an example of this
leadership, our senior Senator
Herbert r. O'Conor, who, hav'
ing distinguished himself a!
States attorney of Baltimore City
attorney general and Governor o.
the State Of Maryland, has b!
his untiring efforts and great per
sonal courage achieved nationa
recognition as one of the out
Standing members of the United
States Senate"
Might Meet Beall.
If Representative Sasscer shoult
enter the Senate primary ant
then win, he would face the pros
pect of running against anothe
House member in the general cleo
tion.
j. Glenn Beall, 9th district Rep
resentative, has the backing O
much of the State Republican or
ganization for the G. o. P. nomi
nation to the Senate. Mr.. Beal
has not formally announced hi
candidacy, but he has made i
plain he will seek nomination TO
Senator O'Conor's seat. With or
ganization support, he has Ion
jump over other contenders, VIII
include H. Grady Gore, wealth.
Washington hotel man living il
Montpon1erV County. Anothe