Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-02

1t is the almost unanimous opinion or
political observers in Indiana today that
the republican state committee threw
away its only chance Of carrying the
state next fall when it went on record.
by unanimous vote, against the calling
Of special session of the Indiana legis'
lature to amend the tax law and trans
act such other business as is necessary.
The effect of the action of the state
committee was not long in being felt in
indianapolis. Little groups of disconso-
late republicans gathered about the re
publican headquarters and the Claypool
|. hotel a few hours after the committee
adjourned and acted like they were on
their way TO attend the funeral of an
old friend The committee members be
gan to hear from home by telephone
within an hour after they refused to
attend the conference called by GOV.
Goodrich and the information they got
was not reassuring.
The position in which Gov. Goodrich
has been placed by the action OF the
committee Is most embarrassing. He
must repudiate his promises of session
to transact general business. made In
private, repeated in public, and printed
everywhere. or he must take the bull by
the horns and call a special session. re-
gardless of the opposition of the state
committee Of the republican party.
If he calls special session he will not
be able to control it without the assist
ance of the state committee. If the state
committees wishes are not respected III
is unlikely that it will give Goodrich any
material assistance in carrying out
legislative program.
Goodrich undoubtedly realized this
when he Issued call for conference be-
tween the members OF the committee ana
the candidates and himself for the pur-
pose Of outlining Il program Tor a speclal
session. He hoped to arrange at this con p
ference program hat would have the
backing OF the candidates. the committee
and himself and thereby carry with IL
sufficient weight to make 1t reality.
Tho first break in the Goodrich plan
came when Ed Toner. candidate for gov
ernor. failed to attend the meeting. The
second arrived when the members OF the
state committee decided they would not
attend and sent word to the governor to
that effect.
The final collapse of the Goodrich
structure for another gagged session FOL
lowed the Introduction Of n motion ny
John G.. Bryson that the state chairman
inform Mr.. Goodrich 1t was the sentiment
of the committee that a special session
was not advisable.
Gov Goodrich is now making des-
perate effort to save his face by pretend
Ing that the conference was for the pur-
pose OF determining whether or not a
special session would he called and the
decision of the committee against 1t was
the committees prerogntiye. The attempt
fails for the reason that the committee
did not 20 into the conference, and the
special session was promised before the
conference was held.
How the republican party is going TO
reconcile the position Of its committee
with the many promises Of amendment or
the tax law that have been made re
Gently is the all absorbing question
among the politicians. or course, it Is
realized that without special session
there can be no amendment before the
election. And now there eau be no spe-
clal session without going absolutely
contrary 10 the wishes of the state com
mittee
Old line republicans who have been
accustomed to watching the state or