The sun., 1919-05-15
G.O.P.SENATORS
NAME CUMMINS
WITHOUT FIGHT
Harmony in Caucus as Pro-
pressive Is Agreed To for
President Pro Tenn.
LODGE MADE CHAIRMAN
pcnrosc Battle to Go to Floor
democrats Will Get No
Chance to Mike Split.
LODGE MADE CHAIRMAN
Spec,a, Despatch TO The srN.


,nce that was entirely harmonious the
Senate Republicans chose to-day SEN
ator Lodge (Mass.) chairman. which
carries with 1t the floor leadership;
named Senator Cummins Uowa) for
president pro tenn, Senator Curtis
,Kans.) for whip to succeed himself
and authorized Senator Lodge to name
tbe committee on committees. This
will consist of nine Senators with Sem
ator Brandegee Comm as chairman.
Two other members will be Jones
tWash) and Kenyon Uowa), Pro-
gressives, who were agreed upon by
the Progressive group and accepted
by the regulars.
II is understood that Senator Knox
pa will be n member. The full COM
nittee will be announced in two or
three days.
Only six Of the forty-nine Republi-
can Senators were absent: Messrs.
Cummins, la Toilette (wis.), Town
send (Mich.), Fall IN. ny, Gronna
und.) and Lenroot (wis). The
unanimous selection Of Mr.. Cummins,
Progressive. as president pro tenn.
was accounted n good omen. For two
or three days it had been understood
that the Progressives should have
whomever they would agree upon, but
agreement was not easy. The position
was urged by various groups upon
Senator'S Borah Udaho). johnson
(Cal) and Lenroot. Messrs. Borah
and johnson absolutely refused 1t and
Mr. Lenroot was not in the city. Mr..
Cummins was finally agreed upon and
named without dissent, his nomination
being made by Mr.. Borah.
The conference was marked by no sug-
gestion Of the underlying differences re-
garding the organization of the Senate
These will not come to the surface until
the later conference, when the Commit
tee on Committees will report it's list OF
assignments TO committee posts for rati-
hcation. Then the opposition to- Senator
Penrose (Pa.) for chairman OF Finance
and Senator Warren (Wyo.) for chair
man Of Appropriations will make its eff
fort.
Fight VIII GO to Floor.
That It will be defeated In the confer
ence is foregone conclusion. The fight
thereafter will be taken to the Senate
floor when the Senate meets to perfect
its organization.
The smooth procedure to-day Is no
guarantee of equally easy sailing at that
time, but there Is assurance on one point,
namely, that no combination of Demo-
cratic and insurgent Republican votes
viii permit the Democrats to organize
the Senate or to dictate a Democratic
chairman for any committee.
At least five Republicans are named
az last ditchers' in the fight against
Penrose. They are Borah, johnson
Jones. Norris (Seb) and Kenyon. Nc.
Cormick Ill) also is claimed, but not
with so much certainty that he will &C
10 the extent OF boiling Penrose aftel
ne has been named by the conference
However. as the Senate will number Is
Republicans TO ~ Democrats, ~ small
group represents Potentially Of blocking
organization.
All the anti-Penrose Republicans de.
Jared to-day that they never would vote
With the Democrats OH any phase OF the
organization fight, and therefore the ulti.
mate perfection of complete Repub.
lean organization was regarded al
though it might be delayed by the fight
4 the anti-Penrose Republicans stick
here are just two ways in which Penrost
may Win.
one is by getting the support Of few
democrats who believe In organizatior
ergularity: the other by having a suf
fricnt number of Democrats convenient,
absent themselves at some time anC
cave clear majority to the organiza'
lion Republicans. The first method = II
rcgarded as improbable and the seconc
as representing the likely outcome.
TIC Nghts on Penrose and Warren are
entirely unlike. The opposition Is moi
on personal grounds in either case Pen
rose and Smoot CUtah) are both placed
rear the top Of every Progressive's lis
oF react lonaries," yet every Progressive
- iNsistent that Smoot should be chair
man Of Appropriations even though &
an be accomplished only by breaking
the seniority rule.
They say he Is the best equipped mar
- either house for the position. know:
he Appropriations business as no other
Senator knows Il, is an interchangeable
worker. is determined that Government
expenses must be pared 10 the bone, ano
"orld work increasingly to accomplish
;Aat end. \
To make Smoot chairman OF tina
committee means TO save the taNpayeri
100000 900 to $500. 600. 900 n year, ant
hats why am Cor him." declared on'
Progressive.
Why Penrose Is opposed.
Another OF the same group said:
We feel that as soon as the great In
terNatlonal questions are out Of the way
n" countrys policy in raising revenue
VIII be the supremely important busi
"fss. With $50 1000. 900. 900 to $4,000.