New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-05-05
POLITICAL FEUD
MASKED BY CLUB?
COngerS and Woods Orsaniza-
lions May Forecast Party Split

n political breach that may develop
into more serious proportions than
first thoughts would Indicate is de-
vcloping by tho organization of two
rival republican clubs headed by DR..
J. f. Conger and Lawyer Joseph @.
Woods.
For number of years there have
been republican clubs in the various
wards and the powers that be found
these little semi-social. but definitely
political. units OF vast value mt cleo
ton time. Lately. however. n central
republican club has been organized
and several comedy pinochle tourna-
ments have been played. d.. J. e.
Congcg Is nominally the head OF the
original central club. although il is
rumored on the rialto that a prom
inent republican. we'll known i'm local
and state politics. is actually the
moving spirit and foster father of
tho organization. Within "A few days.
however. Lawyer Woods has appeared
with "A rival central republican club
and now both orga nizations are work.
ing hard for new members. Inas-
much rs DIR. Congcr's -"old line stand
patters" orga nization demands a
membership fee of $40, and Lawyer
Woods rival organization asks but IS
IL IL whispered that the new unit Is
meeting with more favor in some
circles. II is also said that both or
ganizers find their invitations to join
met with a ready response by young
republicans anxious to work for the
good and welfare OF the grand old
party" until money is mentioned,
whcrcupon. in many instances. the
ardor OF the prospective member in
stnntly cools. Ii is likewise said
that several members have signed up
for the new clubs without paying
their membership fee and. i'm the
opinion of some. 1t may not be an
easy matter to collect these "fives
and tens
Among the prominent men whose
names appear on the list of DIR. Con-
gers "old guard organization. is that
OF Mayor Orson i. Curtis. But IL is
limited that his honor's signature was
secured by keeping sub rosa the
fact that there Is even the semblance
of factional difference in the party
ranks. The mayor Is quoted as hav-
ing said. on being informed that a
rival republican club is being organ
lied. that he would not have signed
up had he known there was going TO
be any trouble over il. or had he
known that there was any semblance
of a split. %ats-.t -s
As a matter of fact, DR.. Conger's
organization Is the official organiza-
ton of the republican town commit
tee and Is said to have the backing OF
that body, headed by Chairman II. Z.
Erwin. Judge G.. w. Klett has also
been seen OF late in deep and heavy
consultation with DIR. Conger, making
IL reasonable to assume that he is
taking an active interest in this
organization.
On the other hand, Lawyer Woods
club Is supposed to be a rival of the
original club. Since 1t Is know in
political circles that Woods and
Klett are not of the best political
friends. and that in the recent prose-
cutor fight Klett. at least. did not go
out of his way to urge the appoint
ment of the assistant prosecutor to
the place left vacant by himself. 1t is
assumed that there Is something
| deeper underlying the formation OF
these two clubs than appears on the
| surface.
Ask one organizer what is the pur-
pose OF his club and the answer very
likely will be: ITO help foster D
] spirit of harmony in the party"
1 Ask the same question of the other
and the answer will be: To help
| foster n spirit of harmony in the
| party
whereupon the confused prospec-
/ tive member may ask himself: "If
| the main idea is to foster harmony,
why bother about having two similar
| clubs for the same purpose?'