Evening star., 1954-06-02

Democrats have their eyes on
the county sheriff's job, now
held by Republican Charles s.
Lawrence.
Their names are entered on
Democratic primary ballots. and
One Of series obout principal eondi.
dotes in the neorby MoYlond pi-
mories June 28.
the one getting the most votes
will earn the right to oppose
Mr.. Lawrenson in November.
Sheriff Lawrenson, who lives in
Silver Spring. has no opposition
within G. O.P. ranks.
The candidates are:
Luke ]. Bennett, ira So
year-old retired employe of the
Washington Gas Light Co. who
is included on the harmony
ticket approved by a majority
of the county's Democratic pre-
cinct chairman. He long has
been active in civic affairs and
lives at 7211 Maple avenue,
Takoma Park.
Until 1850. he had served seven
years as a county justice Of the
peace and for three years before
that was a member Of the coun-
ty Liquor Control Board. From
1916 until last year. he was presi-
dent of the Community League
of Takoma Park and was its
delegate to the County Civic
Federation for eight years. Dur
ing World War II. he was an air
raid warden, both in the District
and Takoma Park. and was q
member of the Maryland Min
utemen.
A widower since the recent
death of his wife. he has lived
in his home community since
1908, has been his party's pre-
cinct chairman for 20 years, and
has been active in numerous other
organizations.
He was a machine gunner in
a field artillery unit in France
in World War I, and retired from
the gas company last year after
80 years continuous service. He
has been a member of st. Johns
Masonic lodge for 81 years.
Robert w. Cremins-Chief Of
the Bethesda Chevy Chase Res
cue Squad and an automobile
salesman in Bethesda. He Is 81
years old. single, and lives at
4716 Dorset avenue. Chevy Chase.
his home since he was a year old.
He has been an officer or a men,
ber of the board of directors Of
the rescue squad for the last five
years.
He was president of the Be-
thesda Junior Chamber Of COM
merce for two terms. from 1949
to 1851, and was treasurer before
that. He was on the organiza-
tions board of directors for six
years. He formerly was executive
secretary of the Young Mems
Democratic Club of the county
for three years and vice president
of a similar State group from
1949 to 1851. In 1850, he was
county campaign manager for
George P. Mahoney, in his bid
for Governor, and co-chairman
in 1852 during Mr.. Mahoney's
race for the Senate. He supports
Mr.. Mahoney also in his present
gubernatorial bid.
A graduate of Augusta Mill
tary Academy in Virginia. Mr..
Cremihs also attended George
Washington University for three
years and took Navy VS. train
ing in college while in the service
in World War II. He is veteran
of four years Navy duty.
Rupert L. Dunn-A 52-year-
old retired Navy man who cur
rently is a deputy sheriff under
Mr.. Lawrenson. Except for a 10
month period just after Mr..
Lawrenson was elected four years
ago, Mr.. Dunn has been in that
position since July. 1948. He was
first appointed a deputy under
former Sheriff Frank I. Davis.
! A.native of North Carolina. he
was orphaned at the age of IL.
He joined the Navy shortly be-
fore he turned 18 and served
nearly % years. rising from ap-
prentice seaman to lieutenant
commander. When he retired he
was disciplinary officer and in
charge of the brig at the Ana
costa Naval Receiving Station.
He feels his long service in the
sheriff's Office and his Naval ex-
perience throughout the world
qualities him for the assignment.
He has maintained a residence
in the county since 1914, is mar
ried and has two sons, one 18
and one IL. They live at 1922
Maple avenue. Takoma Park. His
wife and he were responsible for
organizing the county Cerebral
Palsy Association six years ago.
He is a member also Of numerous
other organizations.
Ralph w. Offutt-He opened
a children's clothing store in
Gaithersburg in 1851 after serv-
ing on the county police force at
Rockville for II years. He was q
corporal when he resigned to
start the business. He has the
backing Of precinct leaders from
the up-county area. but they
vuyoro ,,nct,ONocef,,l IN uoffinU him