Evening star., 1952-04-25
.ary|andG.0
May Have Fight
Over Chairman
Scherr, Rinehort
And Reeves Seen
As Top Candidates
BY Whitney Shoemaker
Associoted Press SfoFf Writer

ANNAPOLIS. April 25.-Repub-
lican lines are forming for what
could turn into lively argument
over new State chairman.
Names of three possible stew
ards have emerged from behind
the wrangling over candidates for
Senate and Congress.
They are Stanley Scherr, chief
magistrate of Baltimore's Traffic
Court; D. Eldred Rinehart of
Washington County, the acting
party chairman, and John R.
Reeves of Bethesda, Maryland's
Secretary of State.
They don't have the field to
themselves, but have been men,
toned most often among party
workers.
They're not scrapping among
themselves for the job. They're
preoccupied now with primary
campaigning. And they're keep
ing company behind Gov. Nickel
din's ambition to put over Repre-
sentative Beall as the Senate NOM
inee.
City County Feud Possible.
Before the choice is made, they
could get tangled in one of the
old city-county feuds that have
animated Maryland politics.
The craftsmanship opened up
when Gov. NIcKeldin named Jo-
seph L. Carter to the Baltimore
Supreme Court last February Mr..
Carter, a close ally of the Cover
nor, had been chairman since
1850.
AS senior vice chairman, Mr..
Rinehart stepped into the top
berth and will remain there until
a permanent successor is elected.
Members of central committees
of Baltimore and the % counties.
plus State officers, will make the
decision. They probably will
caucus for the purpose at the
G. o. P. State convention on
May "a.
Gov. McKeldin, acknowledged
as the party's strong man, has SO
far avoided a public nod toward
any of the potential chairmen.
Some Prefer County Man.
With the Governor himself a
Baltimorean, some county COM
mitteemen have let it be known
they prefer a county man to head
the State organization. Senator
Stanford Hoff, Republican, of Car.
roll, former chairman who is
close to Mr.. Scherr, said he had
encountered that disposition.
"It's entirely up to the commit
tee," Mr.. Scherr commented.
Mr.. Rinehart said his member
ship on the State Racing Commis-
sion would make it difficult" to
accept the permanent chairman
ship. But. he added. it likewise
would be difficult" to turn down
the post if it were offered.
Mr.. Reeves said he was Every
much interested" but also eager
to avert party ruckus.
"The Governor ought to have
the prerogative of choosing his
own State chairman" Mr.. Reeves
added.
Another Change Rumored.
Still another change is possible
in the party's high echelon. Jacob
France, Baltimore attorney and
Maryland's veteran national COM
mitteeman, has been at odds with
Gov. McKeldin off and on for
years.
A G. o. P. stalwart close to the
Governor said today word is going
around that Mr.. France doesn't
want" the job any longer. Mr..
France himself was out of town.
"If the Governor wants it, he
can have it," the same party
leader said. He added a number
of the Governors friends have
been encouraging him to accept it.
Miss Bertha S. Adkins of Sails
bury, ranking woman officer in
national Republican headquarters,
also is Maryland's committee
woman. State leaders report no
sign of opposition to her.