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

La AhAAASlAoAAA, IA OAIC 4lSllL 4OI U1lo
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 SO votes on the State
Central Committee, well 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
T. 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.
There now appears to be de.
veloping a fight over this prac.
tice. especially if the Mahoney
forces feel they can pick up q
needed vote here and there.
One thing is certain, all the
States big political leaders will
be in Ocean City at the women's
convention this week end.
Candidates on Hand
4 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 SO.
I 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 II, the
number needed for victory in
Monday nights committee meet
ling.
From there on they are not
discussing the votes they are
claiming.
Hint Of Break
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
for Mr.. Mahoney.
kilograms also have been sent
in large numbers from the
Montgomery-Prince Georges
area.
Urged to GO Slow"
I One telegram. signed by Lead
ers Of the Young Democrats in
both Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties and others,
urged a "go-slow" program ky
the State committee.
\ Signed by Paul Nussbaum and
William F. Hickey. the telegram
urged two committee meetings,
the first to nominate candidates
and the second 10 vote.
In the interim. the respective
State Central Committees would
have the opportunity to get a
sampling Of party pinion in their
respective Jurisdictions" the
telegram TO Mr. Harrington said.
I'VE feel that this procedure
would be evidence 10 the people
o fthe State Of the desire Of the
Democratic Party 10 present a
candidate who is best qualified
and has the sufficient united
support Of his party" the teIe.
gram said.