Evening star., 1953-01-10
Maryland Democrats
Call Weekend Halt
In Legislature Feud
Stor Staff Correspondent

Sr0I SIorf SONeSponoenI
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 1O.-Mary-
land Democrats were under
weekend armistice today, still
attempting to settle a marathon
battle for control of the Senate
and get the General Assembly
down to business.
The situation looked more
hopeful than it has since Tues
day night, when the 18 Demo-
cratic Senators caucused and
found they were evenly split in
their choice for Senate President.
Their failure to break that dead
lock in 16 roll call votes and
numerous caucuses and sessions
has stalled the General Assem-
bly,, which convened Wednesday.
The Democratic Senators have
agreed to reassemble in caucus
at 6 pm. Monday, two hours be-
fore the General Assembly is
scheduled to begin the second
week of it's 90-day session.
Principals in the Senate strug-
gle are Senator George w. Della
of Baltimore City. who has been
Senate President since 1851, and
Senator c. Ferdinand Sybert Of
Howard County. who is the cam
didate Of eight insurgent Sena-
tors defying party leadership.
Party Leaders Worried.
Meanwhile, spokesrnen for the
two warning factions are nego-
tiating informally in the hope Of
bringing about peace pact be-
fore then.
One of those leaders, James
H. (Jack) Pollack, who reigns
over the Democrats of Balti-
more City's 4th district, yes
terday described his party as
being ION the edge of a precipice
overlooking an abyss"
Mr.. Pollack also had some
nasty things to say about DR..
H. c. Byrd, president of the
University Of Maryland, and a
Democratic Party figure in his
own right. Mr.. Pollack accused
DR.. Byrd of perpetrating the
biggest double cross in the an
mails of Maryland political his
tory"
He was referring to the selec-
ton of Democratic leaders in
the House of Delegates, which
organized in smooth fashion on
Wednesday and then, after much
twiddling of thumbs, recessed
Thursday night until 8 pm.
Monday, unable to transact any
business without the Senate.
House Democrats chose John
c. Luber to be Speaker again
and gave the majority leaders
job to an Eastern Shore man,
John Wood Logan Of Caroline
County.
Charges Against Byrd.
Mr.. Pollack charged that DR..
Byrd had agreed, at secret meet
ing here on Tuesday night, to
back a Pollack man, Delegate
Chester w. Tawney of Baltimore
City, for majority leader. In re-
turn he was to throw his Balti-
more City votes behind an East
ern Shore man for Speaker, Mr..
Pollack said.
But when the House Demo-
cratic caucus was held later
Tuesday night, the 19 Pollack
votes were all that Mr.. Tawney
received.
DR.. Byrd issued a fiat denial.
There is no reason for me to
defend myself against a charge
which probably is a result of keen
disappointment" he said.
"The charge is obviously un-
true because I do not have con-
troll of a single vote in Annapolis
to deliver to anybody.
However, at the proper time,
and, if necessary, a complete
statement will be made on this
subject which will give the peo-
pie of Baltimore knowledge Of
matters in their political life
which they ought to know and
general knowledge which may
shake some political founda-
tions."
Delegate Riggin, Democrat, Of
Somerset County. said Mr.. Pol
lack offered the proposition to
him in the presence of DR.. Byrd
and others last Monday night in
q YnanfinQ