The Washington times., 1909-05-02
MAINE POLITICIANS
ARE FIGHTING HALE
Determined Effort Is Being
Made to Prevent Sena-
tors Reelection.
By JOHN SNURE.

That the Republican organization of
the Serate mary be rudely shattered a
little more than a year from now by
the defeat of Senator Eugene Hale of
Maine for reelection, is the word that
reaches here from authoritative sources
in his State
Already powerful movement to de-
feat Senator Hale Is being organized.
The defeat OF Senator Hale would
strike a hard blow at the Senate Re
publican machine. 1t would deprive the
Senate OF its oldest member in point OF
service and one of its oldest in years.
1t would deprive the Appropriations
Committee of its head, would necessi-
tate the election of "A new head of the
Senate Republican caucus and of the
Republican steering committee, and
would eliminate one of the stanchest
members OF the Senate family" that
cOterie Of potent Senate leaders who
are on the inside of everything that
goes on In the Senate and constitute
sort of holding company for the ma
jsrity side of that body.
Senator Hale is the titular Republi-
oen leader of the Senate and. while the
real leadership belongs to Senator Aid
rich, Senator Hale stands next to him
as a force in the affairs of the upper
house.
Movement Gathering Force.
II appears the movement against Sen
atsor Hale in Maine has long been
gathering force. The test Of strength will
come in 1870 1t will then be necessary
TO nominate the Republican candidates
for the house and senate OF the Maine
Legislature. which viii select a Senator
-, n.1 ts.V oil W
term Will end March 3. I9l1- The anti
Hale men will try to nominate for the
Legislature candidates who are pledged
to vote against the reelection of Sen
ator Hale.
The anti-Hale movement is the out
growth of the bitter contest which was
waged with the Republican party in
Maine in 1901, when Governor Cobb was
nominated over the present governor,
Bert NJ. Fernald. Governor Cobb was
renominated without opposition in 1906
and in 1905 his rival was nominated and
elected as governor.
No Opponent Selected
Just whom the opposition 70 Senator
Hale will finally decide upon to pit
against him is not fully decided 1t
will probably be ex-Justice of the Su-
preme Court Frederick A. Powers. Of
Houlton, a brother of the late Repre-
sentative Llewellyn Powers, or Edward
P. Kicker. one Of the millionaire own
ers of the famous Poland Spring and
Poland Spring Hotel property.
The contest promises TO be hard
and interesting one. The friends Of
Senator Hale are aware he viii have a
fight on his hands. They are by no
means Idle and have been at work for
months seeking 70 perfect their organi-
zation. They are predicting that he
viii succeed himself in spite of the op-
position. In his behalf. his lieutenants
are seeking to spread the idea over
Maine that no new man could nave the
influence in Congress that he has nor
could do so much for the interests of
New England. especially for Maine.
Hale's Long Service.
Senator Hale entered .he Senate March
e. ISL This was eleven days earlier
than his colleague, Senator William p.
soon be seventy-three years OF age and.
though ne is advanced in years. it has
seemingly not materially affected his
activities in the Senate. He has always
heen fond Of the social life Of the Cap
ital but this season has refrained from
much participation in society and has
husbanded his strength for his Senate
labOrs- He IS a member OF the Finance
Committee and as such has been active
IN the framing Of the tariff dill.
The absence of Senator Hale from the
Senate. with the retirement OF Senator
AIrich, whom many expect TO step
down and out Of public life after March
3, 1911, when his term ends would work
revolution in Senate affairs and would
mean that a new regime would have
charge of things In that body in-the
place Of the one that has dominated
the course Of legislation there for years