Evening star., 1953-06-05
{. Brooke Lee
Seen Favored
oHead Party
Democrats Boom
Montgomery Chief
AS State Chuirmun
By ChorIes [. Hoffmon

BY ChorIes L. Hoffmon
Maryland's floundering Demo-
cratic Party is in urgent need
OF a leader. The odds at the
moment are on E. Brooke Lee for
the top post.
The longtime former Mont
gomery County party chief is a
veteran of many a hard-fought
campaign.
And the Democrats know they
have a bitter fight ahead to re.
verse a string of defeats that be-
gan in 1850 when Republican
Gov. McKeldin ousted William
Preston Lane, jr.. from the exec
utive mansion.
The party Craftsmanship has
been vacant since the death Of
Robert B. Ennis last winter.
During this leaderless period
party machinery became rusty
and almost imperative. Head
quarters in the Emerson Hotel
in Baltimore were closed about
six weeks ago.
Battle in State Senate.
It isn't particularly that the
Democrats have been avoiding
selection of state chairman.
They simply have had their
hands full with an intra party
battle for leadership in the State
Senate followed by a three
month General Assembly session
and organization of the Legisla-
tive Council.
Last week, however, at din
ner in Baltimore honoring Con-
troller j. Millard Tawes, a mo-
ment of silence was observed
honoring the late Mr.. Ennis.
Shortly afterwards, tongues be-
gan wagging and maneuvering
began in the choice of his sue
ceSSor.
Party chieftains are not agreed
as to when the chairman should
be named.
Fear New Party Row.
Some believe the party should
wait until after the gubernatorial
primaries next June. They think
the head of the ticket should be
allowed to name the chairman.
Others, however, see a need for
the humping of party drums
before that date.
This same group also is fear
full of the ruinous effect Of
another knockdown. drag-out
primary such as the party ex-
perienced in 1850 when former
Gov. Lane lost the popular vote
to Baltimorean George p. Ma
honey but when the nomination
on Maryland's unit vote system.
In any case no chairman is
likely to be named before Sep
tember. Under an informal
agreement the decision will
await the return from Europe Of
Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro Of
Baltimore, titular head of the Or
ganization.
That will give the party stall
warts time in August for some
boardwalk politicking in Ocean
City where many of them spend
their vacations.
Younger Element Revolts.
Mr.. Lee is no "shoo-in".
He long has been referred to
as one of those Too long in
power"
Some of the younger members
of the party have been kicking
up the traces. as was evident
when the so-called young
Turks" tried to wrest the Senate
leadership earlier this year from
the established heads.
These self-styled insurgents
feel there is need for some new
blood in the leadership.
The effect of this youngsters
movement" is seen in the names
of others mentioned for the
party Craftsmanship. They in
clude c. William Hetzer, CHAIR
man of the Washington County
State Central Committee, and
James C. Morton, jr., former
Anne Arundel County States at
torney and head of the States
Young Democrats.
"Old Guard" to Decide.
But the "old guard" county
committee chairmen will name
the State chief. They like the
younger politicians to inherit"
the leadership through work
rather than to seek it by ousting
the old-timers.
Mr.. Lee set an enviable record
against tremendous odds as the
States campaign manager in last
years general election. The per-
centage increase in the State in
the vote for Stevenson over the
vote Truman polled in 1948 was
two-and-a-half times that of
the national increase.
Furthermore, although he is
anything but "a tired old man."
Mr.. Lee is now so and other
party leaders do not see him as
a potential opponent in any fu-
ture campaign.
The Lee boom is on and it ap-
pears likely, at the moment, he
will be named chairman. If he
is named, however, chances are
good that he may be surrounded
by a group of younger men and
women to beat the party drums
throughout the State.
Garden Hoses Fiqht Fire