New-York tribune., 1921-12-24
Newb!erry May
Quit Senate as
Custer Looms
Several Republicans Re-
ported to Have Demanded
Michigan Senator Explain
His Expenditures on Floor
Al Votes in Opposition
Action of Conference Re-
veals Foes of Solon Are
Recruiting Their Ranks

From The Trtbuas's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-Late devel-
opments in the Senate in the case of
Senator Truman H. Newberry, of Mich
lgan, whose seat is contested by Henry
Ford, have greatly encouraged those
Senator'S who are fighting to expel Mr..
Newberry from the Senate A series of
conferences have been held in the last
few days by group of Republican
Senator'S who have not been counted as
against Senator Newberry; and as re-
suit of these conferences the Senator'S
have served notice on Senator Curtis,
Republican whip, that they believe the
Michigan Senator should personally de-
fend his course on the floor of the SEN
ate.
1t was reported tonight that these
Senator'S had strongly intimated that
Unless Mt Newberry could give a sat
isfactory account of his campaign ex-
penditures on the floor they would feel
&C strained TO vote to unseat him 1t
appears, however, that this threat has
rot actually been made, but the infer
ence drawn from their attitude is that
they will vote against Mr.. Newberry
unless he addresses the Senate and
gives a satisfactory accounting of his
campaign expenditures, amounting to
S253, 900.
Forty y-one Votes Against Senator
The Republican Senators who have
been conferrlng this week on the New
berry case, and who have stated their
position to Senator Curtis, include SEN
ators Capper, of Kansas; Willis, of
Ohio; Jones, of Washington; McNary.
of Oregon: Sterling, of South Hakota.
and Sutherland, of West Virginia They
have wired Senator Johnson, of Cali
fornia, advising him of their course,
hut have not been advised in turn what
position he will take. Senator Curtis
IS expected to lay the situation before
Mr.. Newberry, but has not yet in
formed the group of Senators referred
to what Mr.. Newberry will do.
The Republican Senators who are
iully committed against Senator New
berry include Borah, La Toilette, Ken
yon. Norris, Norbeck and Ladd. Five
or six other Republicans are wavering
and may turn against him. The Demo-
Gratis. of whom there are thirty-six in
the Senate, will all vote against him,
except Senator Watson, of Georgia.
In other words, there are forty-one
votes against Senator Newberry Ger
tain, and the turn of events, whereby a
group of half dozen Republicans have
practically called on him to defend
himself in the open, places his seat in
great jeopardy.
While it takes two-thirds of the SEN
ate to expel a member, simple major
ity. or forty-nine, can adopt a resolu-
ton holding he is not lawfully elected.
Hinted He May Resign
The Senator'S who are insisting on
Mr. Newberry making a defense on the
floor say they will meet with criticism
in their states if they support Senator
Newberry, and they do not think they
should be expected to vote for him un-
less he is willing to make statement
in public on his own behalf. He did
not appear before the Senate sub-com-
mittee which investigated the case and
he has not defended himself in the
Senate. In preceding cases, such as
the Lorimer case, from Illinois, SEN
ators against whom there have been at
tacks have made pleas in their own de-
fense. Whether Senator Newberry will
choose to take the floor is uncertain.
Strong efforts have been made bv Re-
publican leaders in the Senate and bv