Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-06-10


of Connecticut and Mccormick of Illi-
nois represented the irreconcilables at
the conference, and former Senator
Murray W. Crane of Massachusetts. in
past conventions national leader,
spoke for the group, demanding a plank
for a league with reservations. Senator
Watson of Indiana, chairman of the
resolutions committee. who was pres
ent TO represent the party organization,
took the role of peacemaker.
Leaders Are Scored.
The leaders were only half heartedly
attempting to conceal their apprehen-
sions over the situation. Most of them
grimly predicted an agreement, but none
appeared too sure of his ground In
session of the resolutions subcom-
mittee, headed by Senator Watson. a
middle course was sought which would
hold the party together.
Senator Crane, coming unexpectedly
into the swim of convention affairs
after several days of quiet conferences,
prefaced the irreconcilable ultimatum
by laying on the council table a pro-
posal that the party declare affirmative
ly for ratification of a League of Ma
tions covenant with safeguarding res
ervations. Backed, he said. by the group
of mild reservations senator's. he indi-
Gated that unless such a plank were
adopted all the dynamite of the League
of Nations question would be loosed on
the convention floor
The reply of the irreconcilables came
at once. phrased in terms which no one
Borah Sounds War Cry.
With considerable heat. Senltor Ba-
rah told the conference that he and
his colleagues never could accept any
plank declaring affirmatively for any
of the treaty. reservations
or no reservations. Should the party
adopt such plank, they declared, they
would Immediately and finally part
with il.
In desperate effort to bring har-
mony, Senator Watson pleaded that the
rising animosities Of the conferees be
forgotten and that both sides approach
the subject with determination to
avoid repetition of the disastrous break
of 1872. But neither side receded and
the meeting ended in an atmosphere
of solemn defiance.
SO it stood as the resolutions SUBJ
committee OF 13 sought TO sweat out a
solution. In the committee room be-
side Senator Watson were Senators
Borah- and McCor mick for the irreeon-
cllables. Senator Smoot of Utah. and
nine men of varying shades of opinion |
Confsrees On Outside.
Outside the committee eooms too.
there We're series of feverish confer !
ences as each side sought to assess how |
much Of the attitude of its adversary |
was bluff and how much was genuine. |
After several hours work, Senator |
Watson announced that he did not be- |
lieve the platform could be finished in |!
time for presentation to the convention |
before 8 O'Clock Thursday Afternoon. Up |
On convening at II. Senator Watson |
said. the convention probably would |
have to determine upon recess until |
afternoon or transact other business.
The irreconcilable group solemnlv as
sured their party leaders there was not |
/ single element of bluff in their pro-
sram and one of them is understood TO
nave declared that should the party
stand for any sort of ratification, he
would resign from the senate in order
% be free TO carry ON the fight
J0hnson's Hand Not Seen.
What connection Senator johnson
night have with the move was not re-
'eaied. Throughout the senate fight
lie stood shoulder to shoulder with Sem
tor Borah, but talk of possible John
on bolt has been discounted BY the men
Who are closest here to the California
enator
Although the resolutions sub-com-
littee had been in session all day, it
carcely touched, until tonight. on the
.eague of Nations or any other subject
serious controversy. Although COM
letely overshadowed by the treaty sit
alton, the plank on industrial relations
'as understood to have caused some
ifference of opinion.
Most Of the day was spent in revising
nd passing over the planks prepared in
re convention conferences on the basis
I findings of the committee Of Ill. 1t
'as decided not to include 4 plank ON