Evening star., 1954-11-03
Ear|y-BaIIot Qua|ms
Had McKeIdin, but
He Laughs in Victory /
By Froncis P. Douglas
Sicr Stoff Correspondent

BALTIMORE, Nov. 3. - Gov.
McKeldin had his qualms last
night as the polls closed and
the count Of the Maryland vote
began.
But early today he was riding
the crest of a mounting majority
of the votes and was again the
States champion extrovert.
The hearty McKeldin laugh
doomed through the Governors
Offices in the Mathieson Building.
He seized each outstretched hand
and greeted the man who prof
fered it as Dear Brother" The
moments of doubt were in the
past. DR.. Harry c. Byrd. the
Democratic candidate for the
governorship, had even conceded.
Secluded During Ballot Battle.
Early last night Gov. McKeldin
paid a CHEEKY visit to the Re-
publican headquarters in the
Lord Baltimore Hotel. Then he
and Mrs. McKeldin sought seclu-
sion in the Southern Hotel.
II always have doubts" he
said this morning, explaining his
reaction to the uncertainty of
uncounted ballots. He added:
"This seemed so good it fright
ened me-" referring to the out
look of the race.
From his hotel hideout he kept
In touch with his aides in the
Governors Offices. They gave
him the news of his mounting
lead. When the victory was
copper riveted and watertight,
the Governor reappeared, jaunty
and with a black-eyed Susan.
the State flower, in his button
hole.
He had little to say about the
campaign or the future He
turned aside a question about
future appointments to Office he
would make.
Gets Call From Dewey.
He told of Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey telephoning him Gov.
Dewey, he said, told him: "The
news hasn't been so good and
Maryland seems to be one bright
spot, so I wanted to talk to you"
The New York Governor, Mr..
McKeldin explained, had been
dining with Roger w. Straus,
co-chairman of the National
Council of Christians and Jews.
One of Gov. McKeldin's en-
thusiastic aides had been con-
flding in visitors to the Gov
ernor's Offices. "You want to
watch the Governor in 1856.
He'll be on the ticket for Vice
President"
But the Governor brushed
that suggestion aside when it
was put to him later. He said
his only plans are to serve as
Governor. He is the first Re-
publican Governor to be re-
elected to the Office in Mary
lands history.
Explains Prediction.
The mounting majority went
beyond the early predictions Of
some of those in his camp. One
of these predictions was for a
majority of only 10000. In view
of the majority of about $4,000
over Gov. William Preston Lane,
jr., with which Gov. McKeldin
went into Office four years ago,
an explanation for the 10000
estimate was asked. This was
the reply:
"Gov. Lane beat himself; we
had to go out and beat this man
Byrd. Actually Gov. Lane was
beaten by the sales tax, or rather
by the fact he did not go out
and sell the State on what it was
getting for the proceeds of the
sales tax"
The appearance of the Gov
ernor at his Office was preceded
by the arrival of his son, Theo-
dore, jr., good-looking youth
of II in khaki trousers and
jacket. A short time later the
Governor arrived with Mrs. Nc
Keldin and their pretty daugh-
ter Clara, Is.
There were greetings and con-
gratulations. Photographers and
recorders for the radio took over.
More Dear Brothers" arrived.
Senator j. Glenn Beall was there.
The party then streamed up
the street to a television studio
where a beer program sponsored
the Governors appearance. SEN
ator John M. Butler Joined the
party there.
Representative James j. S.
Devereux of the I'd district then