The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-09
PARSONS FOR COX
ON LEAGUE ISSUE
Favors L. S. Going In and
Cannot Support Harding,
'Straddler.'
ACTION WAS EXPECTED
Former Committeeman Had
Been Inactive i'm G. 0. p.
for Long Time.

Herbert Parsons, for many years ac-
tive in the Republican organization but
recently more interested in the League
of Nations, announced yesterday his ir-
tention OF voting for Gov. Cox "as the
certain way to have the United States
Join the league
Resigning from the Republican county
committee. to which he was no longer
legally eligible, Mr.. Parsons wrote to
Samuel S. Koenig. chairman, that be-
fore the war he was for "a" league and
since had been for "the" league. Cox
was for going in. Harding was for
staying out. Therefore he must vote for
Cox He expressed regret at severing
old associations.
Republican leaders did not show sur
prise at the action of the former chair
man of the county committee. FORMER
Representative in Congress and former
member of the National Committee from
this State. He has been an active mem-
Der of the League to Enforce Peace and
an ardent advocate of joining with the
other nations in the league plan. For
several weeks they had expected some
declaration.
So far as could be learned last night
the example of Mr.. Parsons will not be
followed by other Republicans who have
had leanings toward a league of ma
lions.
Politically, 1t was said, the stand
taken by Mr.. Parsons would have/no
effect. as his inactivity in the organiza-
ton for some years had resulted in the
elimination of his influence.
The addition of Mr.. Parsons to the
Cox supporters had the officials at
Democratic national headquarters by
the ears for time.
This does credit to his patriotism and
convictions" said Chairman George
White. I'VE welcome him, fighting
with US for a cause beyond craftsmanship.
There will be many more"
In his letter to Mr. Koenig Mr.. Par
sons expressed the opinion that "many
distinguished Republicans. who desire
10 see the United States enter the
league" were being deceived" in their
support of Harding Harding will not
accomplish anything" he declared "Au
his talk is mush." Mr.. Parsons said the
Republican candidate was negative and
sentimental and never would know
what ought to be done by way of an in
ternational programme.
Asserting that the league with the
Lodge reservations was practically what
would be worked out II Cox were
elected. Mr.. Parsons said that would
come nearest to satisfying American
aspirations" Harding might do nothing
at all, so long as 1t served to preserve
harmony In the Republican party and
make possible continued Republican con-
troll of the Senate.
The cause, the greatest Of our day."
the letter said. calls for the aggressive
positive leadership of Cox. not the self
confessed ignorance OF Harding No
straddler can lead a cause"
Mr.. Parsons said an international
court would not be sufficient, that the
.ssue was not between the league as
Wilson brought 1t back and the league
with reservations, but between going
INTO the league with reservations and
not going n at all"
John T.. Parsons, father of Herbert
Parsons, was a Democrat, but his son.
coming from Yale in 1890. decided to be-
come n Republican. lie became leader
Of the old Twenty-fifth Assembly Dis
trict. For five years he was chairman
of the County Committee, resignng in
1910 He served three terms In Congress.