New-York tribune., 1921-01-19
Senate Doon1s
Bulk of Wilson
Appointments
Republicans Show They Do
Not Intend to Saddle
Array of Democrats ON
Harding Administration
N. Y. Postmasters Losers
Army Appointments Other
Than Ceneralships Will
Be Given Confirmation

sharp skirmish in the Senate to-day,
wtsn Republican leaders made it plain
they would not permit confirmation Of
political appointments before March 4,
an agreement was reached by which the
road was opened for confirmation of
5,534 nominations for original army
appointments and about twenty nomi-
nations for original navy appointme ents.
Senator Lodge emphasized the point
that the Republicans did not intend to
see bureaus filled with Democratic ap-
pointees who would hold far into the
new Administration and handicap its
work.
If there had been any question as to
the Republican attitude on confirming
the Wilson recess nominations of
political character it was removed to-
day.
In the list of appointments doomed
to fail of confirmation are 282 New
York postmasterships.
Few Navy Appointments
The nominations for original appoint
ments in the army range from second
lieutenants to colonels. They were
provided for in the army reorganiza-
tion act and are selections of the
Pershing board from men who saw
service in the recent war. They are as
sumed to be non-political. The SEN
them to the Military Affairs Commit
tee, and all or nearly all of them doubt
less will soon be recommended for con-
firmation.
The navy original appointments,
which are few, and which commanded
relatively little notice, went to the
Naval Affairs Committee.
This action, however, in no way re-
moves the obstacles in the way of con-
frming long list of other officers,
4,249 in number, most of whom have
among whom are eleven major generals
and twenty-five brigadier generals.
These nominations, in the language of
Seaator Lodge, will be Carefully ex-
smined."
All indications are that the list of
promotions to major generalships and
10 brigadier generalships will be held
up throughout the session, and holding
them up will block many other promo
tions. The general officers have not all
Leen prom oted by seniority.
Started by Fletcher
Neither Senator Lodge nor other
Republicans raised any objection to
referring the original appointments in
the army and navy.
Developments made it perfectly plain
that the Republicans have no intention
whatever Of allowing the confirmation
Of postofiice and other appointments
which President Wilson has sent to
she Senate since the first Monday in
December.
The nominations of general officers
in the army will be combed through
with a fine tooth comb and this list
undoubtedly will be held for such re-
visions as President Harding may make
after March 4.
The promotion Of General Peyton c.
March, chief of staff, to be lieutenant
general did not come up to-day, but
the opposition to him is showing every
sign OF being un5 ielding.
Senator Fletcher, Of Florida, started
the controversy over conhrmations
soon after the Senate met by moving
Postmaster General to furnish to the
Committee on Postoffices the names of
all former service men recommended
for postmasters and appointed by the
President and also directing the COM
mittee to consider such appointments
and to take action on them promptly.
Underwood Gets Floor
Senator Townsend, of Michigan.
chairman of the Postofficcs Committee,
said he did not object to securing the
confirmation, but did object to that
part of the resolution giving directions
60 the committee. He moved to refer
the Fletcher resolution: to the Postof-
fees Committee. Senator Robinson.
OF Arkansas, promptly moved an execu-
tive session. This was defeated by 36
to 35. 1t was a party vote, save that
Senator Norris, Republican, Of
Nebraska, voted with the Democrats.
The Fletcher motion was then re-
ferred to the Postof!ices Committee, 81
to 81. Senator Robinson moved an
executive session and this was beaten
by 36 to "a.
Senator Underwood took the floor in
behalf of the military appointments.
"There are in the neighborhood Of
5000 young men," he said, "who we're
appointed under the army reorganiza-
ton bill and who won their spurs on
the battleields Of Europe. H. the Sem
ate does not confirm these men by
March 4 they will be in the street"
He asked unanimous consent to have
the army nominations referred to COM
mittee.
A brief discussion followed over the