Evening star., 1955-07-17

~. WtlItom AoetSon
"Uno1lcial lieutenant gouernor'
all, Of Gov. McKeldin's veto
messages to the Legislature.
All Of this tends to make
Mr. Addison an important flg-
ure In Maryland politics and
government today. Also q con-
troversial one.
Letter IN Defense
Some feel he has far too
much influence for q man who
holds no official appointive or
elective office. Criticism of
that nature moved Gov. Nc
Keldin to take the unusual ac-
tion last March Of writing a
Letter to the Editor" Of the
Baltimore Sun, not denying,
but defending Mr.. Adelson's
position Of influence.
Mr.. Addison has been and
I hope shall continue to be
q great help to me in my ef-
forts to serve the people of
Maryland" the Governor
wrote.
He recalled that Mr.. Adel-
son had been of great help"
to him In his unsuccessful at
tempt at the governorship in
1912. his successful campaign
for Mayor Of Baltimore in
1943 and his victorious race for
Governor In 1850.
II can sincerely give him
much of the credit for my
being elected Governor" Mr..
McKeldin added.
The letter continued:
when I was inaugurated
Gin 1850. the General As
sembly was in session. Like
Governors before me, I found
one man could not follow
through on all legislation of
concern to the administration.
I sought the assistance, as
others had done. of friends on
whom I could depend. Bill
Addison was one of those.
"His quick grasp of proposed
legislation. its meaning and
its purposes give him extraor-
dinary value to me and the
administration. His broad &C
quaintance with the members
OF the Legislature, built up
over q number of years, was
most effective. -.
"His extensive acquaintance
and knowledge Of people also
have been very helpful to me
In the making of executive ap-
pointments and in having a
degree Of assurance that those
appointed would be approved
by the Senate. -"
Net in 1888
Mr.. Addison was 26 and only
three years out of Duke Uni.
versity Law School when he
met Mr.. McKeldin in 1898 and
went to work for the law firm
Of McKeidin, Moyan & Smith.
Mr.. McKeldin was a success
full Baltimore lawyer of SO at
the time.
In l947. when Mr.. Nickel
din'S term as Mayor of Bait
more expired, he teamed up
with Mr.. Addison again, the
two Of them sharing a law
ofiice on the 18th floor of Bal
timores Mathieson Building.
That's just down the hall from
the suite that Mr.. McKeldin
now uses for his Baltimore
ohice as Governor. His name
is still on the door Of Mr.. Adel-
sons office, however, despite
criticisms leveled in last years
reelection campaign.
MIR. Addison has never held
public office except for a short
stretch in 1947 as chief Judge
Of the Baltimore City Appeal
Tax Court. He says he doesn't
want any political job.
Some Tonsible Benefits
He admits that his friend
ship with the Governor may
have brought him some bene-
fts. such as the $4,000 fee he
is to share with the Niles.
Barton. Yost & Dankmeyer
firm for serving as bond coun-
sci on the Baltimore Harbor
tunnel project. The State
Roads Commission awarded
the contract. Chairman Rus
sell II. Mccain said later "the.
Governors ONCE" had rec
commended that Mr.. Addison
be hired.
NO one will believe me-"
MIR. Addison told this column.
but honestly, didn't ask for
that tunnel contract. I've
helped those fellows over at
the roads commission plenty
Of times and they know / can
hold my own with most of
these other bond lawyers.
You know, people come to
me with all sorts Of impossible
or improper deals" Mr.. Adei-
son volunteered. But I Just
won't have anything TO do with
them.
Il can't get anybody a
contract with q State agency;
you still have to be the low
bidder.
"The CBaltimore) Sun sent
Q reporter out for two weeks
trying to get something on
me. but he found nothing"
Mr.. Addison described his
work for the Governor rs "an
expensive hobby" He said
he gets nothing for 1t and it
takes 10 much Of his time
that his practice has gone
to pot"
II don't aspire to the role I
play with McKeldin." Mr..
Addison said. IF 1t we're any
body but him, ! wouldn't do 1t.
But he practically made me.
NAAA Ytfe tssfs> ht,.n -. 80. .