Evening star., 1952-05-21
Mcke|din Wants
No Strings Tied
To Delegates
Stote 6. O. P. to Pick
National Convention
Slate Saturday
BY the Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, May 81. - Gov.
McKeldin, a "favorite son" candi-
date himself, asserted today he
wants no other strings tied to
"a Republican nomi-
mating convention votes.
AS his party's top man in the
State, Gov. McKeldin is likely to
have more say than any one else
about choosing delegates to the
Chicago convention.
The "a delegates and alternates
will be elected at a State meet
ing in Baltimore on Saturday.
Gov. McKeldin expects them to
elect him national committeeman.
He also noted that many party
leaders "have very kindly said
they would like to vote for me as
a favorite SON."
Beyond that, he hopes the dele
cation will be "uninstructed and
uncommitted."
Gov. McKeldin. once widely
labeled a supporter of Gen. Eisen-
hover for the G. o. P. nomination.
lately has been cagey about his
preference.
Follows Dewey's Lead.
He said after chatting with the
general in Paris last month he
ordinarily followed the lead of
Gov. Dewey of New York, one Of
Gen. Eisenhower's main advocates.
Since returning from a trip abroad
he also has been complimentary
Of Senator Taft of Ohio.
Senator Taft's hackers in Mary
land had limited they would ask
the State convention to go on rec
ord for their man. Gov. McKeldin
said today he anticipated no such
move and would fight any that
developed.
"I would oppose a resolution for
Senator Taft. Gen. Eisenhower or
any one else" he said.
IntimateS insist he still leans
personally toward Gen. Eisen-
hover.
Neither the Taft nor Eisenhow-
er camp makes a claim on the
number of delegates it expects to
win. Each has approved the "fa-
vorite-son" Endorsement of Gov.
McKeldin.
Majority Seen for Taft.
William c. Purnell, State chair
man for Senator Taft, said he be-
lieves a majority of State conven-
ton delegates favor Senator Taft.
In an Associated Press survey Q
majority of those answering fa-
vored Taft. But most of them
won't say one way or the other.
OF those who will. 81 favor Sena-
tor Taft, 81 Gen. Eisenhower.
4 There are 152 altogether.
More responsive central COM
mitteemen had given plurality
to Senator Taft in earlier surveys
These party professionals also
boosted Gov. McKeldin for Vice
President. The Governor said he'd
like that.
While Gov. McKeldin maintains
a public attitude of neutrality
Senator Butler Republican, o1
Maryland) has expressed a pref
erence for Senator Taft. Senator
Butler, who unseated the veteran
Democrat Millard E. Tydings ir
1850, has been making moves re-
Gently toward a more controlling
position in the State organization
Beall Praises Taft.
Representative Beall, whom
Gov. McKeldin supported for the
G. o. P. senatorial nomination
this month, has praised Senator
Taft. But Mr.. Beall, who won
also is pro-McKeldin.
In regard to the post of ma
tional committeeman, the Gov.
ernor last night said, II am avail
able"
< With the influence he already
e exerts in the party, his announce
ment amounted to a long step
v toward election.
Jacob France, Baltimore attor-
:. ney and for years a political foe
!, of Gov. McKeldin. is now national
;: committeeman. He has not taken
prominent role in G. o. P
affairs lately, and was inactive in
the campaign leading up to the
May 3 primaries.