Evening star., 1954-10-31
Montgomery School
Election Bellies
Non bipartisan Label

NOn-Pd1ISdn LdDel
Thirteen of Montgomery Coun-
tvs leading citizens are engaged
In q knock-down, drag-out hSht
for seats on the first fully elected
county school board in Mary
land.
The candidates have subjected
themselves to a round of coffee
hours and tea parties, high pres
sure rallies and cross-examina-
lions.
Winners get no salaries, attend
hundreds of meetings during
their four-year terms and in
general are criticized for spend
ing too much or too little.
The elected school board sys-
tenn is on trial.
Some Dubious Of System.
Some residents who were
pleased in 1851 when q referen-
dunn provided for an elected
board are beginning to look
askance at what they created.
The election campaign has
largely belied the "non-partisan"
label it bears.
Behind one team of candi-
dates-Lathrop E. Smith and
Mrs. Rose C. Kramer-are a
thousand workers. according to
one of their own spokesmen.
Part of the bitterness and the
Intensity with which the teams
committee has worked can be at
tributed to the large number OF
frustrated government workers
getting their first chance to op-
crate in the political area" be-
cause of the "non-partisan" ma
ture of the election, one OF the
workers said.
Handbills Distributed.
The workers pay no party dues
but have made contributions OF
81 to IS, with a few giving much
more.
With these funds, stickers have
been made for automobiles.
signs printed. and thousands OF
handbills and colorful brochures
distributed.
Some candidates have spent
virtually nothing on their cam
paigns. One conceded his ex-
penditures have amounted to
about $50.
Mr.. Smith contends his sup
porters do not constitute a party.
Yet a look at his campaign
committee discloses the presence
of j. Douglass Bradshaw as
counsel. Mr.. Bradshaw is a for
mer county councilman, an ex-
member of the House of Dele
gates and leading light in
Charter Committee activities.
Charter Officials Active.
Listed as political agent and
treasurer is Plummer Shearln,
former president of the Charter
Committee. The public relations
director is Mrs. Elizabeth Rohr.
who held the same position with
the Charter Committee during
the June primaries.
Included in one flyer issued by
the Smith-Kramer campaign
committee quoting what Mr.
Smiths supporters say of him
are such Charter lights as Wash
ington l. Cleveland. Lawrence NJ.
Fisher, Mrs. Dorothy S. Him
stead, Dean DinWoodey, Thomas
c. Kelley and Malcolm H. White.
Mr.. Smith, himself Charter
indorsed candidate for re-elec-
ton to the county council. en-
tered the school board race after
being repudiated by the Repub-
lican Party in the primary.
The Smith-Kramer team has
engaged in a no-holds-barred
campaign to oust Mrs. Leila Ed
wards and William Bulls from
the board seats they now hold.
Pearson Columns Reprinted.
One piece of campaign litera-
ture consisted of reprints Of two
columns by Drew Pearson ap-
pearing in the Maryland News,
of which he is a part owner.
The columnist charged that
the ultra conservative Chicago
Tribune and Minute Women
were seeking ito lay hands on
Montgomery County education
by electing Mrs. Edwards, Mr..
Bulls and Mrs. Helen B. Quayle.
The Smith-Kramer team also
has criticized published reports
that, at Republican precinct
leaders meeting, a prominent
party worker urged that the
Edwards-Bull -Quayle ticket be
supported "as Republicans" =
The result has been to solidify
behind those three a great many
Republican votes that probably
would have been cast on a nom
partisan basis.
Mr.. Bulls, blunt-talking
private school operator, went
into Office on an economy
platform two years ago.
Member of Minute Women.
Mrs. Edwards, who votes on
most occasions with Mr.. Bulls,
has drawn particular attention
in the campaign because of her
membership in the Minute Wom-