Evening star., 1954-11-04
Democrats
Weigh Jobs in
Prince Georges
Plan PorIey Soon
On Filling Posts
After County Sweep
By Ben FronkIin

Democrats in Prince Georges
County worried so hard about
winning the election that it may
be q week or longer before they
can focus on the patronage
plums Of victory.
The Democrats swept the
county by a 3-to-2 margin In
the record off-year voting. Tired
party leaders said today Of this
much they are certain:
The commissioners-elect viii
take over December Z. The Of.
fees of sheriff, register Of wills
Judge and the orphans court
and county surveyor will change
hands during the next 80 days
as commissions for these posts
arrive from Annapolis.
Democratic States Attorney
Blair H. Smith relieves Carlyle
j. Lancaster on January 8. The
county's new legislative delega-
tion moves up January 5. Repub-
ican Treasurer Julian B. Mckay
will be the last to go-on April /,
Consider Appointments.
Meanwhile, party heads will
be huddled over the non-elective
jobs that go with victory at the
polls. Democrats are making nc
secret Of their plans to put a lot
Of smiling Democratic faces be-
hind a, lot Of county desks.
L. Harold Sothoron, chairman
Of the Democratic State Central
Committee, said the. group will
not meet until next week te
consider the openings available
as a result Of the election.
Gov. McKeldin's victory
means the committee will not
have to concern itself with such
gubernatorial appointments az
the members Of the county Ii
quor board and school board
the Washington Suburban SAM
tary Commission. trial magis-
trates and Justices of the peace
Democratic spokesmen said
they will be concerned, however
with appointments of a new
county attorney, deputy and as
sistant States attorneys and as
sistants in the department Of
finance. Some officials said IL
is "nlore than probable" that
the shakeup win reach to Act
ing Police Chief Vincent s. Free
Mai. Free accepted the sap-
pointment last year with the
understanding that he retain
his permanent status as captain
In the police department.
Building Inspector Out?
Building Inspector John B
Lauer, swamped by more thar
$4,000 votes in a bid to ur1seat
w. Waverly Webb, veteran Dem.
ocratic clerk Of the Circuit
Court, also is 'more than likely
tagged for replacement, Officials
said.
Democratic leaders said it Il
still too early to make predic'
tions. They conceded, however
that there will be some fanc!
footwork in picking a full-tim'
commissioner from the crop o
five Democratic victors. Lans'
dale G.. Claggett, outgoing judg'
of the Orphans Court, topped tn
field of Democratic candidate
and thus might be a logical choic'
for the full time job.
But three of the commits
sioners-elect are mayors-Her
bert w. Reichelt of Mt. Rain
Ter, Jesse S. Baggett Of Hyatts
vile and Frank J. Lastner O
Greenbelt-and each could ge
the nod on the basis Of Eek
perience with governmental af
fairs" party heads said.
Thomas E. Latimer, outgoinI
full-time commissioner, won tn
most votes in the Republican
sweep Of 1850 and was electe'
chairman by his colleagues a
their first meeting.
Possible Appointments.
Attorney Robert M. Mathia
and william L. Kahler, an at
torney and the Democrats cam
paign manager in this election
are being mentioned as being L
line for appointment as count
attorney. Arthur Mielke. forme
newspaper reporter in Primo
Georges County and now
Washington public relation
man, who was q contributor t
the Democrats printed campaign
material, is mentioned as favor
able" and available for clerk t
the county commissioners.
Charles E. Callow, Democrat
victor over Mr.. Mckay, said h
plans to accept MIR. Mckay
offer to become deputy treasure
for q "learn-the-ropes" perio
before taking Office.
The treasurer-elect said M
Mckay came to Democrat
headquarters in Hyattsville o
election night to congratulate
him on his victory and to rene
the offer, originally made Las
month when Mr.. Mckay ordere
his opponent from his office an
charged him with "heckling
finance department employees.
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