The Springdale news., 1919-02-28
PINCHOTS OPINION
 OF BOISE PENROSE
Don't Think He Is Fit Man for Chair man of Finance Committee and Gives Reasons.
Gives Reasons.

Evidence is multiplying that all is not harmony among the Republican leaders. Clifford Pinchot, who was one of ex-President Roosevelt's i strongest supporters, has been send ing out series of letters to the news papers of the country attacking Sen ator Penrose, Republican boss" of Pennsylvania, and telling why the Re publican senators would make a mis- take to elect the Pennsylvanian as chairman of the Finance Committee, although he may be entitled to 1t ae- eording to the seniority rule. The latest Pnchot letter Is dated Phil adeiphia, February 21, and is ad- dressed to Republican members of Congress- It is as follows:
 On January 9 I addressed an open letter to Senator Penrose urging him to withdraw IS candidate for Chair man of the finance Committee. As ] was careful to explain, did not call attention to his peculiar unfit ness for this post because of person. al animosity, but because a grave danger threatened the Party and must be met. Beyond a burst of unim- portant but characteristic abuse, Sen ator Penrose made no reply, and con- tinued his campaign for the Chair manship.
 On February 1 addressed to the Republicans who will sit in the next Senate a second open letter, in which l pointed out that in 1920 not only the Presidency but the Republican major ity in both House and Senate will be at stake. Since that letter was writ ten and published the Republicans in the Senate have made long stride in the right direction. They have wiped out the interlocking system of committee chairmanships which per mitted small group of Senators to dominate the Party and dictate legis- lation. This action was immediately recognized as designed to reduce the power of the office for which Senator Penrose is candidate
 What are his qualifications for the post he seeks?
 l. Officially at least, he is a Repub- liean. From the standpoint of party utilization, therefore, he would be available
 ?. He has been member of the Senate for twenty-two years. He has therefore had long and wide ex- perience in National legislation.
 3. He has been the leader of the Re publican organization in Pennsylvania for fifteen years, and as such has been in intimate contact with expert party management.
 What are his disqualifications :? His apparent qualifications will show them by dissection.
 l. What brand of Republican is Sen ator Penrose? In 1912 he conspred against the vast majority of the Re- } publican voters to prevent the nomi- nation of Theodore Roosevelt, know ing when he did so that he was sac rificing the victory of his party to his own personal ends. The Republican party sat in Judgement on his offense. The trial lasted from June to Nov ember. Of all the states represented on the Republican side of the next Senate, only two, Vermont and Utah, voted to acquit.
 ?. Senator Penrose has been a mem ! Der of the Senate for twenty two , years. During that time, while he has made himself a consistent and conspicious servant of special privi- lege and opponent of the common vel fare in our national life, there is, so far as l have been able to learn, not a single piece of constructive legis- lation which bears the Penrose name. 8. Senator Penrose has been the leader of the Republican organization in Pennsylvania for fifteen years. When it fell to him upon the death of Quay 1t was perhaps the strongest in any state.
 The first campaign after the death of Quay, when Theodore Roosevelt } carried the State. by more than half a million votes, marked the high tide of Republican power in Pennsylvania
 From that time the ebb began By j 1910 the results of the Penrose leader ship were plain. In that year, Sen ator Penrose named John K Tener as his candidate for governor. The opposition was divided between two Democrats, Berry and Grim It took the vote of South Philadelphia. under Republican leaders opposed to Penrose but supporting Tener, to elect by a small plurality, the Penrose candidate. An undivided opposition would have defeated him with ease. Two years later, in the presidential primaries of 1912, the Penrose organ ization was simply overwhelmed