The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-26
STORM IS BREWING
FOR LODGE AT HOME
Opposition to Reelection
Growing and Political
War Expected.

Is the Senate to be deprived of the
services of Henry Cabot Lodge. the
scholar Of the upper house?
The terms of a third of the Senators
will emo on March 3. 1911 Lodge is one
of the number. Ordinarily. 1t would be
supposed that the distinguished nature
of his work would insure his retention
as long as he might desire to re-
main. But from up Bay State way
there come some most interesting politi-
cal rumors to the effect that a move
ment Is already on TO encompass his
defeat. These reports have it that the
movement has gained such proportions
as to worry the Senator.
Representative Butler Ames is the
man who is engaged in organizing for
the fray against Lodge. Mr.. Ames. who
is the grandson of that renowned scrap
per, Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. has not
been seen much in these parts of late.
He has been in Massachusetts a good
deal, and it develops he has been going
through the State giving attention to
the Legislature. While the Legislature
elected this year will not choose a
Senator. the plan appears to be 10 I'M
dertake TO get control Of It well in ad-
vance. and men are being groemed
who can be relied on to vote against
Senator Lodge to succeed himself.
Believes It's Crane.
Now, the activities of Mr.. Butler Ames
would not give much concern TO Lodge
and his friends II they did not believe he
has potent and powerful backing. The
friends think some one is backing up
Ames and in casting about to lind out
who is doing it their suspicious have
been focused on no less a factor in
Massachusetts politics than Senator
Winthrop Murray Crane. Not even the
best mutual friends OF Senator's Crane
and Lodge have ever accused them of
nitching well politically and just now
the denizens of the Lodge camp are
lore darkly suspicious OF Cranes in
tent than usual. They are looking for
an effort to unEorse Mr. Lodge and be-
lieve that Crane would like 10 be around
ia the vicinity when the unhOrsing Oc-
ours. Inasmuch as Senator Crane has
a vast deal OF influence In his State,
any movement OF the sort backed by
linn would undoubtedly be just cause for
apprehension.
Instead of being able to spend his
summer in quiet at acknowledgements.
porting over his library and writing a
new book or two this season. any such
thing as participation by Mr. Crane in
an anti-LOoge movement would cause
Lodge 10 cultivate diligently the ac
quaintances of the lowly voter from
Plymouth Rcck to the New York line.
Friend Of Roosevelt.
It will be recalled that in the day. of
the Roosevelt Administration, Senator
Lodge was the foremost Senatorial
friend OF the President. Senator Crane
went to the White House only at in
frequent Interval nd then did not stay
70 take dinner a. lgarm his feet By the
Executive fireplace. As the time FOR
the advent of the Taft Administration
drew near. there was wonder over the
question whether Lodge or Crane would
be foremost under the new regime. It
has fallen out that Senator Crane has
high place at the White House today.
He apparently stands higher in Admin
istration councils than does Lodge. This
fact has tended to make the Lodge
forces more on the qui yive as 10 Cranes
intentions in the next Senatorial cam
paign.
Some of Lodges best friends have not
Jared very well in an appointive way
since Mr.. Taft became President And
this is the case. although it was the
Lodge element rather than the friends
of Senator Crane, who supported the
pre-cOnvention movement a year ago
for the nomination of Mr.. Taft at Chi
cago.
White to Quit.
For instance. Henry White has to
quit as ambassador at Paris He is
one of Senator Lodges warm friends,
and Lodge strongly urged that ne De
not let out IT President Taft was
inexorabIe. Senator Aldrich, for that
matter, spoke up strongly for White.
but 70 no avail. More than a year ago.
before the Chicago convention, Repre-
sentative Gardner, Robert L. Raymond.
and several other wealthy politicians of
Massachusetts, all Lodge men, went
into the Taft movement in the State
heart and soul, and spent lot OF
money IN their enthusiasm. They got
several Taft delegates by their efforts.
The other day, Raymond turned down
the proffer of the job Of deputy COM
missioner of corporations. His friends
thought 1t was not big enough for him
in view Of his campaign activities and
bis standing.
Senator Lodge has long had a power
ful grin on the Massachusetts Repub-
lican organization. He has watched
ever details with a close and careful
eve. For various reasons he has evoked
some enmities. Now, his opponents are
apparently preparing TO overthrow him
If possible. If the fight comes il Will
attract notice of the entire country.