The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-17
Republicans Meet To Arrange
Congressional Program and
Organization
ROW OVER CHAIRMAN
SHIPS TO COME
Contests Between Aspiring
Leaders Temporarily Post
poned.

Washington, May 14.-Repubican
senators in conference today agreed
unanimously en- program for or
gan;zation Of the next senate but de-
fcrred discussion of the opposition by
the Progressive group to the e1ec-
ton Of Senators Penrose Of Pennsyl-
vania and Warren Of Wyoming as
chaiTnen OF the finance and appro-
pr:at;ons committees. respectively.
With only SIX Of the 69 Republican
members absent the conference with
complete cutward harmony and by
unanimous votes named slate OF
nonlinees for senate Offices.
Senator Cumrnins of iowa. on mo-
tion of Senator Eorah Of Idaho.
spokesman Of the progressive group
was chosen for president pro-tenpore
of the senate without opposition.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts like
wise was reelected Republican floor
leader Senator Curtis Of Kansas was
reelected whip, and Senator Wads
worth OF New York. conference sec
retaiy. George A Sanderson Of Chi
cago was chosen for secretary of the
senate and David Barry, q Provi-
dence, r. l.. newspaper man. for
sergeant at arms.
All committee assignments were
left TO committee on committees.
which Senator Lodge wiis authorized
to appoint and Of which Senator
Brendegee of Connecticut, of the
regular group, will be chairman.
Eight other members will be named
soon and another party conference
will be held probably next week to
receive the committees report. The
seniority rule. il is expected. viii be
followed closely by the committee. al
though some Of the Drogressivcs TO-
day declared privately that they would
carry their fight against Senators
Penrose and Warren TO the senat:
t!oor .a}i
The conference also authorized
Senator. Lodge TO appoint 4 counit-
tee on order CT busness. or leglsla-
tive steering committee. Of nine mem
bers. with Senators McCumber Of
North Dakota. Sherman and Mr..
Lodge. IN o!!icio member. \ COM
n?;ttee on patronage distribution,
headed by Senator New Of Indiana.
also was ordered.
No indication Of the fight against
Senators Penroso and Warre1 develop
ed in 1l; conference. which was con-
fined 70 tho routine business OF plans
for organizing the senate. 1t was
said that the factional dispute was
rot mentioned. Seven m.mbers OF
the Progressive group net IN Senator
Borah's office previous 10 the con-
ference anf agreed to nominate Sen
ator Cummins for president pro tnn.
after Senator Johnson Of California
had rejected u suggestion from :; del
cgation of the socalled regulars that
he become 4 candidate.
The contest over the election Of
Senators Penrose and Warren to the
committee chairnlanshiD is expected
10 develop in the committee OH COM
nlitteeS and at the neXt conference.
Senator Borah declared today that he
would not attend the conference I'M
less it was open TO the public and TN
der an agreement that senator's are
not TO be bound by {; majority vote OF
ccalmittee assignments.
y few Of the Progrcss;ves. it was
stated. plan to absent themselves
from the committee conference. while
others were reported to intend to
vote against Senators PeArose and
{Tarrcn in con farapce h1It Drep3rpd
to accept a majority vote CT the con-
ference 1T was said that the Pro-
sesSives would nominate Senator
Townsend Of Michigan for chairman
Of the finance committee from the
floor OF the senate. Friends of Sen
ator Penrose expressed confidence
that he finally would head that COM
mittee but there was said to be strong
sentiment among the regulars rs well
rs the Progressivns for election Of
Senator Smoot Of Utah. TO the ap-
preparations committee chairman
ship
Leaders Of both the party groups
joined in predictions tonight that tn"
slate Of senate officers selected today
would be adopted next Monday when
the senate convened. Organization Of
committees however. was expected
to go over at that time as the COM
mittee on committees, ii was believed
would not be able to report until late
next week.
TOh For F0Sdick