Evening star., 1952-01-20
Maryland Democrats
Unite in Support Of
|Sasscer for Senate
By J. B. Zotmon

IJo9StCI IVl JcII0lc
By J. B. Zotmon
Democratic factions in Mary
land. which often differ over local
questions, are uniting on 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.
Observers believe a major factor
in persuading party leaders to
bury the hatchet as far as Mr..
Sasscer's race for the Senate is
concerned Is the hope that by
doing so. they can avoid a bitterly
fought primary.
Such a 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
tional Democratic committeeman,
has made no public statement
concerning whether he plans to
enter the Senate race. But some
of his hackers have advanced the
possibility of his becoming a can
didate.
Two of the latest developments
showing the swing among Demo-
cratic leaders to Mr.. SasScer were:
l. 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.
Charles County Support.
In addition. the Charles County
Democratic Committee yesterday
ANNOUNCED its support of Mr.. Sass
Ger and the Democratic State Cen
|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
Us headed by James w. Wills of
La Plata. It's move brings q 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:
Representative Sasscer's record
in Congress, to which the people
OF his district have elected him
seven times, guarantees that as
Ia United States Senator he will
represent all the people of Mary
land with honor, vigor, dignity
and great ability.
I'm these troubled times, it is
imperative that the destiny OF
our country be in the hands of
experienced men. tried and true.
Mr.. Sasscer is just such a man"
Others Announce Backing.
Others who have announced
their support of Mr.. Sasscer in
clude 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
att, 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 / as the deadline for
filing in the May S primary, only
Stephen Peddicord of Baltimore,
perennial candidate for high Of
flee, has entered his name in the
race against Mr.. Sasscer.
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
the Prince Georges County Demo-
cratic Citizens Committee for
George P. Mahoney.
The eight persons present