Evening star., 1952-04-11
6. 0. P. Leader SCOTS
AT Gerrymander Tag
On New PrecinctLines
By Crosby S. Noyes

raghy of the Republican State
Committee today laughed of
charges of Eisenhower supporters
that political skullduggery was in
VOWED in the preparation of a
new map of G. o. P. voting dis
trlcts.
Robert E. Mclaughlin, presi-
dent Of the District Eisenhower
for President Club, accused the
State committee of gerrymander-
ing tactics in changing the old
voting districts in accordance
with 1850 census figures. The new
map appeared in yesterdays edi-
tions Of The Star.
"A survey indicates that some
of the new precinct boundaries
could hardly have been arrived at
by any general formula Mr.. Nc
Laughlin said. There seem to be
too many variations.
OF special concern to Mr.. Nc
Laughlin was his own precinct,
No. 38. 1t is bounded by Massa-
chusetts avenue, Rock Greek Park,
Columbia road, Sixteenth street,
Lamont street, Klingle road,
Woodley road and Wisconsin ave-
nue.. Mr.. Mclaughlin is running
for election in that district. So
is Mr.. McGarraghy.
Precinct vitality Changed.
This precinct" says Mr.. Nc
Laughlin," has been vitally
changed and a very large part of
the old 38th, in which our Or
ganiZation was farthest advanced
has been Topped off. Our precinct
captain now finds himself in an
entirely different precinct.
"Our organization is studying
the precinct charges generally to
determine the extent to which
such gerrymandering tactics have
been used elsewhere in the city"
Mr.. McGarraghy explained to
the committee Wednesday night
that the new map had been re-
vlsed to include about 1880 resi-
dents in each district. This led
to considerable changes in some
OF the boundaries, he said, espe-
cially in the Southeast section
Of the city.
He denied fatty today that any
political considerations were in
volved in the changes. The new
map was drawn, he said. by an
expert surveyor who had mo con-
nection whatever" with the G. o.
P. Committee. He was assisted
in the job by George L. Hart,
committee secretary.
Calls Charges Absurd.
Mr.. Hart said the charges were
absurd. He denied having 1.-The
foggiest notion who the Eisen-
hover captain in the 38th precinct
might be-" He said his consulta-
tionS with the mapmaker con-
cerned such questions as how to
enumerate the population Of st.
Elizabeths Hospital (the figure
determined: Zero)-how to include
people living on boats along Water
street (the line was extended to
mid-channeD and the permanent
population of Roosevelt Island Cat
latest reports. one dog.
Mr.. McGarraghy did not appear
overly concerned about the an
nouncement of Mr.. Mclaughlin s
candidacy for election as delegate
from the 38th district. He has
represented the district for years,
rising to head the G. o. P. ma
chine here.
The basic issue between the
committee and the Eisenhower
hackers centers on the question OF
who will be the six District dele
gates to the Republican National
Convention in Chicago. and how
they will vote there. Traditional l.
ly, the delegation goes unin-
Structed and swings it's weight be-
hind the most popular candidate.
The Eisenhower people want a
delegation committed to their can
didate. They fear that a majority
of the Old Guard committee favor
Senator Taft, privately, if not Of
fically.
Protest private" Registration.
Mr.. McGarraghy refused today
to divulge the name of the chair
man of the 38th precinct. The
chairman. according to a COM
mittee rule. is permitted to accept
registrations from voters in his
district between April "a and 30.
So is Mr.. McGarraghy in his role
Of committee chairman. The
Eisenhower people have objected
Strenuously to this so-called
private" registration Of voters.
The fight was renewed today by
former Municipal Court Judge
James A. Cobb, prominent Negro
member of the G. o. P. commit
tee who has lined up with the
Eisenhower faction.
Are we to be forced by the
Republican committee" he de-
manced, Ito assume that each and
all of its precinct chairmen are
the embodiment of everything
wise and good and, therefore, that
they will never do anything un-
wise or improper under that rule?
THAT would seem to me to be
strai,ling our imaginations too
far"
Judge Cobb asked the commit
tee to reconsider the rule land
wipe out private registrations ex-
cept where a registrant can pro-
duce a doctors certificate that he
is not able to register publicly"
The central registration place will
be located at 1903 H street NV
Meanwhile. The Eisenhower Club
has announced the appointment
of Paul A. Madden, Washington
attorney. to head up its youth
for-Eisenhower" movement here
Mr.. Madden, associated with the
flrm of Hamilton & Hamilton
lives at 1914 Massachusetts, ave-
nue. NV.