Evening star., 1952-04-19
Sasscer Blasts
Tactics Used
By Mahoney
Senate Candidate
Replies to Charges
On Putuxent Housing
By. Alex R. Preston

By Alex R. Preston
Representative SaSscer-fight-
ng mad-last night accused his
for the Democratic Sem
ltorial nomination, George P.
Mahoney. of conducting a scam
oaign of vilification. half-truths.
and unvarnished lies"
n the Maryland campaign.
It was the 5th District legisla-
tors answer to a statement and
elevision program by the Mahoney
forces connecting Mr.. Sasscer's
name with an alleged shortage of
housing at the Patuxent Naval
Air Station in Southern Maryland.
"He asked me some questions on
his television program" Mr., Sass
GER said. "Now I'll ask him one:
Is it true that he is being advised
as to how to conduct his campaign
in Maryland by Mr.. Jonkel who
was recently fined in the Criminal
Court of Baltimore City for vio-
lating the Corrupt Practices Act?"
The reference was to Jon Jonkel.
one of the directors of the 1850
campaign of Senator Butler, Re-
publican, Of Maryland. Several
months ago Mr.. Mahoney told re-
porters here that Mr.. Jonkel was
not connected with his campaign.
Mr.. Sasscer, along with three
candidates for the Ho'Ise from the
9Th District, spoke at a meeting
of the Western Suburban Dem
ocratic Club in the Bethesda Ele-
mentary School.
Charged Project Blocked
The Mahoney broadcast and
statement to the press called for
q congressional investigation into
circumstances surrounding the
critical housing shortage" at
Patuxent. Mr.. Mahoney said a
low cost housing project had been
blocked there by a group Of men
who controlled the only available
water supply" /
The company wanted to charge
a $3.50 monthly water rate and
the Navy turned this down. Mr..
had declared. He said
the Public Service Commission
records show four men own stock
in the company. These men, Mr..
said, were friends or as
sociates of Mr.. Sasscer.
Mr.. Sasscer last night said, II
do not own any stock In this COM
pany but Mrs. Sasscer owns IS
shares-but I don't try to separate
myself from that-and. inciden-
tally, she never has received a
dividend during the entire period
of ownership. She is not on the
board nor is she an officer Of the
corporation.
'Vilification Pattern
GAS a candidate for the Senate,
Mr.. Mahoney should know that
rates for public utilities are fixed
by the Public Service Commission.
and. I know that he does know
this fact. However, this does not
fit in with his Wliflcation pattern
because it prevents him from per-
suing his campaign of character
assassination, distortion. half
truths and untruths ..
II have never approached the
Navy Department on behalf Of
this company and his insinuation
to the contrary is a downright
lie."
Mr.. Mahoney had been invited
to the meeting but did not attend.
Aliens Loyalty Praised.
w. Prescott Allen. Bethesda
publisher seeking the House nomi-
nation, had been introduced by
Joseph Matthias as a candidate
who carried three of the five
counties in the District in 1850
but, failing to win the nomina-
ton, turned to and worked hard
for his former opponent in the
election"
Mr.. Allen asked the audience,
(Which Of the three candidates
has been the best Democrat? Have
any of these candidates done any,
thing to tear down the Democratic
Party here?"
It was a thinly-veiled reference
to one of his opponents, Mrs.
Stella Werner, member of the
Montgomery County Council. Her
have charged her with
creating party dissension when
she was one of the proponents of
q charter form of government in
Montgomery several years ago.
Mr.. Allen also called for a con-
gressional investigation of the
operations of the Capital Transit
Co. after criticizing its service to
the suburban area; urged a "GI
Bill" for men fighting in Korea;
called for more defense industries
in the 9Th District, and asked for
Federal park or game preserve
in the District.
Roy M. Coffman of Silver
Spring, the third candidate. called
for more economy and efficiency
IN government. Apparently re-
plying to Mr.. Aliens questions,
Mr.. Coffman said, II have always
been q Democrat. The time has
come for true Democrats to re-
capture control Of the party"
Favors Area Transit Study.
Mrs. Werner said that as a
member of the County Council
she already had done something
about transportation problems in
the suburban area. She said she
was in favor Of a metropolitan
area transportation study pro-
posed by legislation now before
Congress.
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