Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-22
Eastern Shore Bloc
Vital in Senate Fight
Leaders Claim
Sufficient Votes
For Birmingham
BY CHARLES L. HOFFMAN

George P. Mahoney's only
chance of beating his former
campaign manager, Michael j.
Birmingham, in the fight for the
Maryland Democratic senatorial
nomination is to capture the
Eastern Shores bloc of IS votes.
This appeared highly unlikely,
however, as Mr.. Birmingham's
forces continued to be optimistic,
claiming 86 votes on the State
Central Committee, we'll over the
n needed.
| The biggest break Mr.. Ma
honey has had so far has been
poStponement of the meeting of
the committee originally planned
for tonight until next Monday.
This allows him time to maneu-
yer and try to get some of his
pre-primary supporters back in
line before the committee meet
| ing
Harrington Sets Meeting
The meeting was set by
7. Barton Harrington, the State
Central Committee chairman,
who swung under the wing of Mr..
Mahoney after he captured con-
troll of the State convention last
May.
1t was a Birmingham Ma.
honey-J. Willard Tawes combine
that overwhelmingly beat the
Old Guard in the convention.
But Mr.. Tawes-leader of the
Eastern Shore bloc of nine
counties-so far has refused to
come out publicly for either Mr..
Birmingham or Mr.. Mahoney in
the race for the nomination
given up Monday by ailing Mil
lard E. Tydings.
Both Claim Support
There was a chance that Mr..
Tawes-who has his eye on the
gubernatorial nomination in
1958-may wait until Saturday
when he addresses the United
Democratic Women's Clubs at
their Ocean City convention be-
fore disclosing his choice.
Both Mr.. Birmingham and Mr..
Mahoney indicated earlier in the
week they are getting the sup.
port of Mr.. Tawes.
But while the unofficial head
of the Shore bloc was keeping
mum, supporters Of both candi-
dates were trying to sway in-
dividual county committees into
their own camps.
Birmingham forces, for ex-
ample, were claiming Kent
County which originally had
started the Tydings campaign
rolling.
Claims Reinforced
Some Birmingham supporters
contend that even without the
Shore they have the votes now
to give the nomination to Mr..
Birmingham.
The central committee in the
past has held county commits
tees to voting as a unit on ques-
tons before the committee.
4 There now appears to be de-
Iveloping a fight over this prac-
tice, especially if the Mahoney
forces feel they can pick UP a
needed vote here and there.
/ One thing is certain, all the
States big political leaders will
be in Ocean City at the womens
convention this week end.
Candidates on Hand
! Mr.. Mahoney plans to be on
hand and Mr.. Birmingham will
toss a cocktail party for the
ladies and their guests Satur-
day night.
In the Birmingham camp now
are reported to be not only the
AZ votes of the city districts, but
seven each from Montgomery.
Prince Georges and Baltimore
Counties. That makes 60.
In addition some Birmingham
leaders say they can count on
three votes each from Kent, CAL
vert and Queen Anne's Counties
and five more from Wicomico
County. That is exactly n, the
number needed for victory in
Monday nights committee meet
ing.
From there on they are not
discussing the votes they are
claiming.
Mahoney forces, however, are
limiting there will be a break in
the solid front put up by the
city before the end of the week.
A telegram and petition cam
paign is underway in some
counties to stir public opinion
4 for Mr.. Mahoney.