NEWS CONFERENCE 563

Barren's Magazine are interesting. I read everything that seems to
hit a subject that I think is important for me to have some collateral
information about that might affect my judgments in matters of
government.

Q. In light reading, do you ever read detective stories?

A. I never read detective stories. I have enjoyed a certain number
of war stories. I just finished reading a history of the division I served
with in Europe, and naturally it was very interesting to look back
through that and relive some of those days during World War II.

Q. Sir, you mentioned Senator Bishop of Baltimore County. I was
wondering if you had any Republicans in Anne Arundel County that
might look good, like Mr. Alton.

A. I don't think that Mr. Alton — well first of all that's not part of
that Congressional seat that I was asked about — but Mr. Alton is in
Mr. Morion's district and I'm sure that Mr. Alton would not, unless
Mr. Morton sought the Senate seat, run against Mr. Morton. If Mr.
Morton does seek the Senate seat, I think Mr. Alton would be a fine
candidate for the Congressional seat, if he wants it. When I was
County Executive of Baltimore County, I was always quick to point
out, and I feel this very strongly, that I think that the building of
the party and the responsibilities of being the head of a metropolitan
county outweigh those of the Congress, of an individual Congressman.
So I would think that Mr. Alton would be stepping into a position
of lesser dignity.

Q. Well, isn't it true, Governor, that the arithmetic on this is that
there are only two Congressional seats that logically should go to
Republicans that are not already held by Republicans? You have
three in Baltimore City that one assumes are firmly Democratic seats
at the moment.

A. Well, we've got to get in and start working on those seats. We
can't assume that they are irrevocably Democratic. I admit that they
are long shots right now, and coming off the City election just as we
have they become even longer. But we've got to begin our rebuilding
process on those seats. I think that Congressman Machen's seat is
certainly a vulnerable seat and Congressman Long's.

Q. But you have three seats held by Republicans now and you have
three Baltimore City seats. That's six of the eight. So the arithmetic
is two other seats.