BIG JOHNSON VOTE SEEN IN MARYLAND; But Democrats Face Split in State Organization

BALTIMORE, Oct. 17—There are growing portents here of a possibly crushing Republican defeat. Even some Republican spokesmen think President Johnson and the Democrats generally have a landslide in the making. Yet, all is not joy in the Democratic party.

Normally successful moderate Republican officeholders may be swept out of office in the Democratic rush and normal twoparty politics may even be paralyzed, if only temporarily.

Republicans say such dark prospects are possible because many Republfcan voters have rebelled against the Presidential candidacy of Senator Barry Goldwater.

A major part of the campaign in Maryland for—but not by—Mr. Goldwater is plainly racist and, as Baltimore's Republican Mayor, Theodore R. McKeldin, keeps declaiming:

“That is the greatest shame in the proud history of the Republican party.”

The state's two most prominent, dependably electable, moderate Republicans — United States Senator J. Glenn Beall and his protégé, Representative Charles McC. Mathias Jr. of the Sixth District—have felt compelled to make at least nominal gestures of support for Mr. Goldwater. Both have unexpectedly strong Democratic opponents who are exploiting that allegiance.

Even in western Maryland, historically “safe” Republican territory, Democratic registration has soared.

Mr. Mathias, 42 years old, is opposed by a previously unknown professor, Royce Hanson, 33, who is continuing, while he campaigns, a full teaching schedule at American University in Washington. Mr. Mathias's race for a third term is believed to be a toss‐up.

Professor Hanson, however, is a vigorous critic of his own party's ruling state administration. He led the successful court fight of Washington area suburbanites to force reapportionment on a rurally dominated administration. Accordingly, his victory on Nov. 3 would be a shock to both the Democrats and the Republicans.

The Democrat here who stands to gain potentially decisive new party leverage in Maryland is Joseph D. Tydings, who is seeking the seat of Senator Beali. Mr. Beali is after his third Senate term at the age of 70. Mr. Tydings is 36.

Mr. Tydings is considered almost certain to win.

The anti‐state administration trend in this predominantly Democratic state thus has significance for both parties. It has vastly encouraged new Democratic candidates who plainly would not have been the organization's choice to go, against the Republicans. And this, in turn, has markedly affected Republican chances.

Observers here believe that the “regular” organization of Democratic Gov. J. Millard Tawes almost certainly will have to do battle later with the anti - organization beneficiaries of an apparent Democratic victory.