Evening star., 1952-01-20
Sasscer Gains
Strong Backing
In Senate Race
Democratic Factions
Unite. Hope to Avoid
Bitter Primary Fight
By J.. B. Zotmon

Democratic factions In Mary
land. which often differ over local
questions, are uniting on q State
wide level behind the candidacy
of Representative Sasscer for, the
senatorial nomination. :
This trend became more pro-
nounced during the past week
after Democratic Senator O'Conor
last Sunday announced he would
not seek reelection. f -.
Observers believe major factor
in persuading party leaders TO
bury the hatchet as far as Mr..
lSasscer's race for the Senate Is
concerned Is the hope that by
doing so. they can avoid q bitterly
fought primary.
Such q fight two years ago be.
tween former Gov. william Pres
ton Lane and George P. Mahoney
left political wounds which still are
not yet completely healed.
Lost Nomination.
In the 1850. gubernatorial pri-
mary. Mr.. Mahoney received more
popular votes than his opponent
but lost the nomination under the
States unit vote system.
Mr.. Mahoney, Maryland's ma.
Itional Democratic committeeman.
has made no public statement
Econcerning whether he plans to
ENTER the Senate race. But some
lof his hackers have advanced the
possibility Of his becoming . can
Ididate.
Two Of the latest developments
showing the swing among Demo-
cratic leaders to Mr.. Sasscer were:
/. An Endorsement yesterday
from John c. Luber, speaker Of
the Maryland House Of Delegates
and one Of Mr.. Mahoney's strong
lest supporters two years ago.
2. A pledge of support. from the
party factions in Howard County
headed by State Senator c. Ferdi-
nand Sybert. DR.. Frank Shipley
and p. G. Stromberg.
Il Charles County Support.
] In addition, the Charles County
T Democratic Committee yesterday
announced It's support Of Mr.. Sass
Ger and the Democratic State Gen.
tral Committee for Montgomery
County. which also has indorsed
him, has pointed out that If Mr..
Sasscer is elected. he would be the
first Senator from the area around
Washington in nearly 40 years..
The Charles County committee
is headed by James w. Wills Of
!, La Plata. It's move brings O total
, of seven county committees into
the SaSScer camp.
Other areas Of announced Sass
Ger support include Dorchester.
Anne Arundel, Howard. Calvert
and Baltimore counties. "
Mr., Luber. one of six dele
gates. to the General Assembly
|. from Baltimore's 5th district, said
in his statement: 4.~
Representative Sasscer's record
in Congress, to which the people
of his district have elected him
seven times. guarantees that as
10 United States Senator he will
represent all the people Of Mary
land with honor, vigor, dignity
and great ability.
I'm these troubled times, 1t Is
imperative that the destiny Of
our country be in the hands. Of
Experienced men, tried and true.
Mr.. Sasscer is just such q man. :"
/ Others Announce Backing.
Others who have announced
their support of Mr.. Sasscer in
fclude Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro
of Baltimore and State Controller
j. Millard Tawes, a power on the
Eastern Shore.
Another strong political organi-
zation in Baltimore. headed by
State Senator George Della and
former State Senator Joseph Wy
latt, is expected to swing over to
Mr.. Sasscer.
In addition, leaders Of all DEM
ocratic factions in heavily popu-
lated Baltimore County have
united behind him. They include
Christian Kahl and H Street,
Baldwin. "
Mr.. Lane gave his political
blessing to Mr.. Sasscer when the
latter spoke before Washington
County Democrats Wednesday
night and Mr.. Sasscer's supporters
say Mr.. Lane has indicated he
would provide full support in the
9Th western Maryland) district.
With April l as the deadline for
filing in the May S primary, only
Stephen Peddicord Of Baltimore,
perennial candidate for high Of
| ifice. has entered his name In the
race against Mr.. Sasscer.
I Mahoney Backers Speak.
A handful Of Prince Georges
residents on Friday night called on
Mr.. Sasscer to withdraw In favor
|of Mr.. Mahoney.
The group organized itself as
1.-THE Prince Georges County Demo-
cratic Citizens Committee for
George p. Mahoney..
| The eight persons present
elected Victor Hermann. SOS For
ttieth avenue. University Park, As
chairman; Howard Grimm. 6S06
B street. Seat Pleasant, eo-chair-
man, and Robert Hirsch, s3t1
Navajo drive. New Hampshire Es-
tates, treasurer.
II Sofety Proeroms