Evening star., 1951-09-30
Friends See Sasscer
As 0'Conor Opponent
In Maryland Primary
By John V. Horner

Lansdale G. SaSscer veteran
Representative of Maryland s.
Fifth Congressional District. was
represented last night by friends
as a possible Senate candidate to|
oppose Senator Herbert r. O'Con-
or in the Democratic Party pri-I
mary next spring.
Mr.. 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 a probable contender
for the Senate seat.
Replacement Desired.
Mr.. SaSscer is a member of a.
group of prominent Maryland
Democratic leaders who repeatedly
are interested in replacing Sem
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.
AAhV"A EAS AAAAhS AAonNAs
AS dean of the Maryland con-
g"cssional delegation. Mr.. Sasscer
is we'll known throughout the
Safe. He is undisputed leader of
the Democratic organization in
Southern Maryland and fire.
quently has demonstrated powers
as a 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 e
definite trend for removal of Sem
ator O'Conor.
Baldwin Commits Self.
Mr. Baldwin said he would be
inclined to do whatever he coulG
for Mr.. Sasscer, whom he de-
scribed as 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 4
landers have objected to Senator
O'Conors role as a member of
the Senate Crime Investigating
Committee
After Senator Kefauver retired
a. cI aiiman, Senator O'Cono.
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
The committee had some I'm
complimentary things to say about
parts uf Maryland. The unfavor-
able publicity displeased some poll
ticians as well as gambling inter-
ests. But beyond that, citizens
who favor a 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