The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-12

 HAVE TROUBLE
 OF THEIR OWN

WASHINGTON, D. C.-After sev- eral futile attempts to embarass and discredit President Wilson and the Democratic Administration, Repubh- can leaders in Congress are now fac ing a situation that is full of disquiet and difficulties for themselves. They are so engrossed in finding out a way of their present troubles that they no longer have so much time to devote to criticism of the President
 The reaction which followed sena toriaI attacks on the league of na- tions gave Republicans a shock and a fright. They have begun to back away. The wisest are silent. None is brave enough to continue the oppo- sition. The round robin is as dead as Cock Robin.'' Beautiful pictorial limitations of the Declaration of In dependence, printed and circulated at great expense to create sentiment against the league, have been with drawn. Practically all of the Htera- ture now in cirCultion to foster hos tility to a league Is anonymous. The daily statements from Republican Senators who employed press agents to herald their opposition to a league
 
 ing fewer and feebler.
 There is new cause for alarm in the relations between the "Progressives' and the Old Guard. Congressmen rep resenting districts where Progress sive" sentiment is powerful and as sertive are receiving warning against their utilization with the "standpat- ters." There is fear of a clash when Senators Lodge. Shoot and Penrose try to organize the Senate along re- actionary lines.
 Harmony Not in Sight.
 When Congress adjourned, Pro gressives'' and members of the Old Guard were fraternizing Senator Pen rose and Senator La Toilette, for in stance, rode down from the capitol in the formers big red automobile after the gavel fell. It was contended that the opposition to Senator Pen rose as chairman of the Finance com mittee had ceased. Everything seem ed lovely. But then came the nur- murs from the folks back ehome." Progressive senators were cautioned to beware of the .'standpatters." Gif- ford Pinchot raised hue and cry against Penrose and all his works and pomps. Congressman Longworth gave aid and comfort to the fight against the reactionaries on the var ious committees in the House of Rep resenttiyes.
 But it appears that these warnings and protests are fruitIess. The Old Guard will organize the Senate and dominate the Sixty-sixth Congress. Most of the ''Progressivesr' realize that their utilization with the "standpat- ters" will condemn them at home But to remain aloof from the Old Guard will deprive the "Progressives" of power and prestige and patronage. The promises of chairmanships and other preferments are very tempt ing.
 At the outset the fight made by Pinchot and other ''Progressives'' was directed solely at Penrose. Many Re publicans who cannot be accurately cataIogued as 4''Progressives" dislike his leadership. They fear that in fol- lowing in his footsteps they may be taken far from their constituents and be lost. The latest development of this campaign against Penrose is a propo- sal to ask Senators Lodge, Shoot and their ''standpat" associates for a statement of future prices. This may result in a sort of Questionairre on the presidential campaign. It is the hope that. the authors of this scheme that it will be painful to this coterie of the Old Guard and embarass them in the Republican caucus which will formulate policies and measures to guide the party during the next ses- sion of Congress
 Republicans Now Responsible.
 In the last Congress the Republi- cans could sit in judgment on Demo- cratic activities. Their responsibility was only that of a minority They could obstruct and criticize and dis credit almost as much as they chose so long as they gave a fair impres- sion of patriotism. So they made the most of their opportunities. They loudly demanded "committee on the conduct of the war" Then they urged war cabinet" next they pleaded for a secretary of aircraft" Then in turn they wanted a minister of rnu- nitions' and a minister of transpor- tation." All these proposals, it was represented were to help the Presi- dent" But the speeches made in support of them were filled with anil mostly and partisanship.
 None of these additional agencies was established, and yet the war was won. America received a, large share of the credit for ending fighting that was costing millions of lives. Ameri- can casualties were relatively few. The management of all the depart ments that put and maintained A. OOO,OOO men in the army and the navy was incomparably better than any other in history. Not only the people of the United States, but those of all the other countries in the war --more particularly Germany---know that.
 Finally, after unproductive en- deavors to hamper the President in conducting the war, Republican lead CTS in Congress began to hamper him in concluding peace. They opposed a League of Nations and gave aid and comfort to those beIIigerents inl, .,ll1