Evening star., 1952-05-25
McKeldin Retains Grip
On Parry, Claims 1S
OF "a State Delegates
By Alex R. Preston
Sior StaH Correspondent

LlOIlst 14C 4OIsSNC1s GlcCAuIOWS1,
But Senator Butler. one Of this
pro- Taft delegates who will go te
the national convention was
claiming 13 Of the "a.
The 'l52 delegates who gathered
here instructed their national con-
vention delegation to vote fol
Gov. McKeldin as the favorite-Sou
candidate for President on. the
first ballot and thereafter "as long
as in their conscientious judgment
there is any possibility Of his be-
ing nominated" ;"
The Governor also was elected
q. O. p. national committeeman
to succeed Jacob France: retired
after eight years. Miss Bertha
Adkins of Salisbury was re-elected
committeewomaIl.
Majority Favors McKeldin.
It was impossible to make a def
mite determination OF how the
national convention delegates
were divided between Senator
Taft and Gen. Eisenhower. Most
would say only, I'm for Nc
Keldin.'
But the Governor was inclined
to pooh-pooh Senator Buffers
claims to 13 for the Ohio Senator.
why Butler himself would not
be q, delegate" Governor Nickel
din said, except that I insisted
that he be included"
Eisenhower supporters had said
they would not make an active
effort at the convention, believing
that the Governor already had
placed himself on their side after
he visited the NATO commander
in Paris early last month.
Taft supporters made good
showing. They packed the gall
leries on both sides of the conven-
tion floor in the Lord Baltimore
Hotel. They made no effort to
dispute the Governors favorite-
son role.
Taft Manager Confident.
William C. Purnell. Senator
Taft,s. State campaign manager
who also was elected to go to the
Chicago convention, said, II am
confident that when the time
comes to vote. a majority Of the
delegates win vote for Senator
Taft"
The closest thing to q demon
stration came when Mr.. France
at odds with the Governor II
recent years, announced II an
not standing for reelection" a!
national committeeman. It hac
been agreed beforehand that Gov
McKeldin would succeed him
Then Mr.. France touched off &
noisy demonstration which lastet
about one minute when he said
I'm going to the convention
this year and I'm going to work
hard for the nomination. OF Sena.
tor Robert A. Taft. and when
come back I'm going to worl
with you for his election"
About q dozen newspapermer
watched the tunult that follewec
and agreed that nearly all Of i
came from spectators wearing
Taft hatbands in the galleries. A
smattering Of boos was almost
completely drowned out.
Resolution Pushed Through.
Gov. McKeldin commented: e.
noticed that he didn't say hi
would work for the election Of tht
Republican nominee after the con-
vention. have no other com.
ment."
The resolution binding the Chi
cago votes to Gov. McKeldia on
the first ballot was literally rail.
roaded through in a block with
five other resolutions by Con-
vention Chairman Deeley K. Nice
Just before the five-hour session
ended.
r. Duncan Clark, Montgomery
County delegate, shouted unsuc.
cessfully for recognition. Amid &C
companying shouts and confusion
that followed. Chairman Nice
hurriedly put the question and al
quickly declared all resolutions
adopted.
Mr.. Clark raced to the platform
elbowing his way through mill.
ing delegates. He protested thai
he wanted the resolution dealing
with instructions separated from
the rest. He told reporters, how,
ever, he was not opposed to thu
resolution. Mr.. Clark wore a Taf
button.
Delegation Actually Is Free. Il
The form Of the resolution ac.
tually leaves the delegation fret
to Jump on any bandwagon il
pleases at Chicago. This is in ac'
cord with the Governors wishes
In his keynote address, he. said:
LET us have a delegation il
Chicago that will be keen enough
and free enough to keep Marylan,
in strategic position to promot
q maximum of party harmony ant
to move effectively. at the righ
moment, to help In the selection
Of that candidate who shall be
come the next President Of tn
United States"
Governor Is AlI-Inclusive.
Believed to be ambitious for tn
vice presidential nomination or {
cabinet post, the Governor did no
fail to include the four mos
prominently mentioned hopeful
and include other possibilitie
as well--in his remarks. He de
clared:
"We, of Maryland. could sup
port with pride and enthusiasm
of Gen. Eisenhower; of Gov. War
rem or Of former Gov. Stassen: o.
indeed, Of any Of several other
within our ranks who have bee
less prominently mentioned, br
have proved their ability in publ
service and their devotion to tn
national welfare" "
III 4 possible refrence to Tat
si1uuorterS' DISBURSEMENT of Gel