New-York tribune., 1919-05-28
Secession by Progressives
Is Forecast if Penrose's
Views on Finance and
Taxes Rule Republicans
Delivers Def in Caucus
Pennsylvanian's Nomination
Then Confirmed by SEN
/: aiors in 34 to 8 Vote
Nep York Tribune
IFGshir0ior Purenu

WASHINGTON. May 27.-An attempt
to split the Republican party, reducing
the chances OF its success at the polls
ir 1920, If the views of Senator Pen
rose on taxation are adopted as those
~of the party, was threatened by Senator
sBorah, leader of the progressves in
the Senate. to-day.
Mr. Borah's threat came at the con-
clusion Of his address in opposition to
sSenator Penroses nomination as chair
man of the Senate Committee on
sFlnance. before the first open confer
Sence OF Republican Senators in the
History of the party.
The opposition of the progressives
swas unavailng, for the conference re
Stused to strike the name Of Senator
sPenrose from the Republican slate of
committee chairman, by a vote of "a
80 s. The entire slate. including the
nomination of Senator Warren to be
scharman of the Appropriations Com
smttee. was later lndorsed without
srecord vote.
Senator Borah made it clear that the
Sight on Senator Penrose was based on
mo personal antipathy. 1t was Senator
sPenrose's announced policy with ra-
sspect to taxation and finance. he said
,that called forth the opposition of the
sprogressives.
Borah Delivers UItimatum
"We have asked that this conference
be called so we could record what pro-
test we have to make against the chair
man, knowing in advance the view ne
to 10 ~
Legislation coming from his committee"
Senator Borah said
1T is but fair to our colleagues to
say that if this system of raising
taxes to meet the burden of the war
is to be the policy of the party split
will come and they will fail to receive
our support. These views must be mod
ifed or there will be a cleavage in the
party
Senator Penrose's views on taxation,
TO which Senator Borah says the pro-
gressives object, are that income and
excess profits taxes should be substan-
TALLY reduced, that luxury taxes should
be repealed and that the country must
return sooner or later to a high pro
tective tariff.
The progressives, having aired their
selws to-day at the special confer
ence called for that purpose, are pre-
pared tomorrow TO vote with their
colleagues in support OF the Republi-
gan slate. It became known that one
of the considerations that impelled the
progressives to the abandonment of
their fight was the ruling of the Vice
president that until new committees are
q @ +a6 10 ~,
fifth Congress continue in power.
Would Benefit Democrats
These committees are controlled by
the Democrats, and a protracted fight
by the progressives would permit them
TO continue in power until such time
as Republican differences were har-
monized and new selections put
through.
Before the doors of the conference
room We're opened there was sharp
contest between the friends of Senator
Penrose and the progressives as to
whether the public should be permitted
to hear the proceedings. The agree
ment between Senator Lodge and Sen
ator Borah on an open session was
made without consulting the full Re
publican membership of the Senate
Senator Penrose remained in his Office
while the conference was in progress.
Senator Gronna, in short, sharp
speech, in which he said he did not
"glve continental damn" who was
chairman of the Finance Committee,
made it clear that the there are diff
1erences of opinion among the pro
gressives. Mr.. Gronna said he voted
for Senator Penrose to head the FL
nance Committee in his capacity as a
member of the Committee on Com
mittees and that he would vote for the
Pennsylvania senator on the floor. He
was not afraid to go before his people.
he said, and tell them he voted for
Penrose in the interests of party har-
mony and good legislation. Most of
Senator Borah's remarks were, he
thought, irrelevant
Progressives Go on Record
The eight Senators who voted for
striking out the name of Senator Pen
rose were Borah, of Idaho; Lenroot, of
Wisconsin; Mccormick, of Illinois;
AcNary, of Oregon; Capper, of Kan
sas; Cummins, of Iowa; Johnson, OF
Saltornia. and Kenyon, of Iowa.
The Republican Senators who we're
absent from the conference were Bail
OF Maryland; Curtis, Of Kansas; Jones
@ Washington; Kellogg, of Minnesota;
Ia Toilette, of Wisconsin; Norris. Of
Nebraska, and Penrosc, of Pennsv1-
vania