Evening star., 1953-01-13
Della and Six Backers
Bolt Party Caucus;
Deadlock Persists
By Gene Goodwin
Sfor Stoff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 13.-The
Maryland General Assembly was
still waiting today for Senate
Democrats to settle their bitter
quarrel so that it can get down
to the business of making laws.
When the two stubborn blocs
Of Senators fighting for control
of the Senate recessed at 1885
am. today until 4 o'clock this
afternoon the deadlock still
stood. It had looked hopeful
earlier yesterday
Senator George w. Della Of
Baltimore City, one of the NOM
inees for Senate president, had
said he felt confident the stale
mate would be broken last night.
Optimistic reports also came
from supporters of c. Ferdinand
Sybert Of Howard County.
Della and Six Others Bolt.
The 18 Democratic Senators
went into caucus about 8 pm.
An hour and As minutes later,
Senator Della and six of his
supporters stalked from the cau-
Gus room. Senator Francis <.
Dippel of Baltimore City, and
Senator w. Mason Shehan Of
Talbot County. who was chair
man of the caucus, stayed be-
hind.
MY friends have left and I
have left with them." Senator
Della said.
The friends" were Senators
Go1dstein (Calvert), Mason
(Worcester), Crothers (CeciD.
Jewell (Kent), Hofferbert (Bal-
timore), and Redden (Caroline).
They voted for Senator Della
throughout the night.
Senator Shehan, who formerly
had lined up with Senator Della,
stayed in the meeting room. He
thus provided Senator Sybert's
18th vote.
There has been no deal
made" Senator Shehan said. Il
will get nothing from this. I
changed strictly because I
thought it was time for the DEM
ocrats to organize and do some
thing. I did not want the Re-
publicans to settle it,"
Says Compromise Failed.
Senator Shehan said in earlier
meetings he had tried to "un-
bind" the tight factions by agree
ing on a compromise candidate,
but there was no response"
The seven Senators bolted
when Senator Shehan, as caucus
chairman, proposed the Demo-
Gratis vote as the majority die
tated.
Senator Della charged his al
lies had been angered by deal
ings with the Republicans" on
the part of Senator Turner of
Queen Annes County. Mr.. Tur-
ner retorted later, II haven't
talked with a Republican"
Senator Jewell said he had
ditched the caucus because the
coalition behind Senator Sybert
had been inspired by James H.
(Jack) Pollack, a Baltimore po-
litical leader. IF not that, at
least closely aligned with him."
Senator Jewell added.
DippeI Drops Out of Race. !.
When the Senate reassembled
Senator Dippel, who had been
the Della groups nominee
for president pro tenn. dropped
out of the race. On the roll call
vote, all 18 Democrats voted for
Senator Leroy w. Preston of Bal
timore City, the Sybert factions
choice for temporary president,
and he was elected. The II Re-
publican Senators voted down
the line for Senator Robert B.
Kimble of Allegany County.
Many observers believed the
Della bloc had thrown in the
towel. But when nominations
for Senate president were asked,
Senator Della's name was Of
fered along with those OF Sen
ator Sybert, and Senator Kim
BILE, Republican. ,......
Seven roll call votes were
taken. The results were the same
10 votes for Senator Sybert, 10
for Senator Kimble and 6 for
Senator Della. The candidates
did not vote. A majority Of Is
is needed to name the Senate
President.
Decide Not to Intervene.
After the recess early today.
Senator Kimble, who had con-
ferred frequently during the eve
ming with Republican Gov. Nc
Keldin, said the Republicans had
decided not to intervene last
night because there has been no
public demand for it."
He said the Republican Sen
ators have not received a single
telegram from the public de-
manding that they break the
Democratic stalemate.
The House of Delegates. mean
while, met briefly and recessed
until this afternoon. The House,
which organized smoothly last
Wednesday, has accomplished
all the business it can without
the Senate.