Evening star., 1953-11-22
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In Maryland
Dispute Is Whether
Della Will Retain
Power in Senate
By the Associated Press


BY the Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Nov. 2l.-Back-
stage moves have yet to mend a
split that tore apart Democratic
ranks in the State senate early
this year, authoritative sources
reported today.
Negotiations began several
weeks ago to avoid another
tussle for legislative leadership
which could sour party ambitions
in the 1854 elections. Insiders
say the talks have produced no
agreement but will continue.
The dispute is whether Sena-
| tor George w. Della of Balti-
more will keep his senate presi-
dency and, if so, who should be
floor leader and chairman of the
judiciary committee. Sources
next to both jockeying factions
say Senator Louis L. Goldstein Of
Calvert County, the present ma
jority. leader, is in the flimsiest
| spot.
78 RollcallS Needed.
1t took the vote of Republicans
to settle the same kind of quarrel
in the 1852 session. After IS
rollcallS in caucus and on the
floor, Della was named president
for another year.
Among the 18 Democrats. the
South Baltimore political figure
was minority choice. A brand
new formation of IL insurgents"
perSevered for Senator C. Fer
dinand Sybert of Howard Coun-
ty. The rebels called it a con-
test between old and new guards.
one aimed at perking up the
whole party after two drubbingS
at the polls.
The II Republicans took in the
feud with relish. But after the
legislature had foundered a week.
Gov. McKeldin told them to
break the stalemate and get
down to business.
With Senator Della back on the
rostrum, Senator Goldstein re-
tanned his job as chairman of the
finance committee and the late
Senator Omar d. CrotherS Of
Cecil County stayed at judiciary
chairman. The head of finance
/ is automatically floor leader. 3
Redden Seen as Della's Choice.
/ Had Senator Sybert won, the
next best positions for influence
and prestige likely would have
gone to Senators John Grason
Turnbull of Baltimore County
and Edward Turner of Queen
Anne's.
Senator Crothers died last
month. If the same divisions
prevail in 1854. Senator Layman
Redden of Caroline County pre-
Sumably would be Senator Del
las choice for judiciary chair
man
A talking point in negotiations
so far has been a 1-for-2 trade.
Neither group could claim more
than the presidency for itself.
The same proposal was made in
the last week of the 1853 session
but curled up in the heat of the
Wrangle.
Three Major Questions.
1nformants say three ques-
tions have stalled such an agree
ment this time:
Whether Senator Goldstein
could be sacrificed gracefully to
make peace, whether he would
assent and whether the inSur-
gents could unite behind the
plan.
To Senator Louis N. Phipps Of
Anne Arundel County, one Of
the new group, Senator Della is
the main target. Others report
edly also oppose Senator Della.
They were disgruntled because
Senator Della won this year with
the help of Republicans and
hoWled at such a later act as
adding an extra Republican to
the legislative council. They
want to strike again for all three
top positions.
The insurgents have met twice
recently at Ritchie highway
restaurant above Annapolis.
They plan another conference
soon. With a majority that
didn't work at the last session,
they have moved cautiously with
future plans.
Only One Agreement.
They repeatedly have reached
only one firm agreement. This
was to postpone individual in
dorSementS of any of the DEM
ocratic candidates for governor.
They took the stand belatedly
flor one member. Senator Fran
els x. Dippel of Baltimore City,
already had come out for George
P. Mahoney.
The insurgents held together
for the most part during the last
session. They met periodically
and sponsored some legislation
as unit. Senator Della's back
ers also were inseparable during
the organizational fight.
The previous battle snarled
the legislature for the first week
OF a three-month session. A re-
peat next year would tie up an
entire quarter of the one-month
session beginning February 3.