The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-30
WATSON MAY
GET LODGES
LEADERSHIP
Massachusetts, Senator Ex-
pected to Resign When
Peace Resolution is passed
Ill Health Factor.
new PROGRAM IN VIEW
PALLADIUM NEWS BUREAU

WASHINGTON, June Ex-senator
Henry c. Lodge of Massachusetts, ac-
cording to report which has been
generally circulated in Washington re-
Gently, is expected to resign the Re-
publican leadership in the senate be-
fore the close of the present extra
session of congress, in which event, 1t
is predicted. Senator James E. Wat
son of Indiana will be selected to sue
ceed him
Senator Lodge assumed the senate
leadership of his party at time when
foreign relations were put to the fore,
but as soon as the resolution declar-
ing peace with Germany had been
adopted foreign affairs will cease TO
be a question of paramount import
ance and the congressional spotlight
will be turned upon legislation which
the American people are particularly
interested in, the tax revision and the
permanent tariff measures.
Health Not Robust
II is admitted that Senator Lodge
has no especial talent for nor interest
in fiscal legislation. He is first and
foremost a specialist on foreign af-
fairs. 1t is also a fact that his health
is not robust and there is possibility
that Washington's tropical climate viii
keep him out of the city much of the
time this summer Under the circum-
stances, his decision to resign the ma
jority leadership in the senate would
occasion no surprise.
An address which Senator Watson
delivered in the senate last Friday; in
which he outlined q definite program
of legislation aimed to assist in the
industrial rehabilitation of the coun-
try, impressed the great majority of
the Republican senator's with his. ft-
ness to assume the majority leader
ship. Senator Watson is the ranking
majority member of the senate finance
committee and, ii is said, no member
of the senate has better knowledge
of tariff and revenue legislation than
the senior Indiana senator. His tai
ent for leadership has been frequently
been demonstrated.
Lack of Leadership.
Since congress convened in special
session last April there has been an
admitted lack of astute majority lead
ership. The legislative program has
been drifting.
When Senator Watson addressed
the senate last week, calling attention
to the serious industrial depression
throughout the country and the need
of prompt action on the part of con-
gress to provide such relief as could
be accomplished by Legislation, he
spoke without thought of counting
the majority leadership, it is only fair
to state. His address was not pre-
pared. His remarks were entirely I'M
promptu, but they struck responsive
chord because he had constructive
program TO offer, so now whenever
the impending change in the majority
leadership of the senate is mentioned
Senator Watson is Immediately sug-
gested as the successor to Senaor
Lodge. ....
Knows Tariff Laws.
Senator Watson has felt the pulse
of American business and he asserted
in his address that its immediate
need was a tax revision law, not a
permanent tariff law, which latter
measure has been given the right OF
way by the house of representatives.
He advocated that when the tariff
bill reached the senate it be tabled
until the house sent the new revenue
then delay action on the tariff until
II han disposed of the revenue inca
sure.
II is believed that the majority OF
Republican senators and, probably d
majority of the members of the house
share the views of Senator Watson
that the country is more concerned
with tax revision than it is with q
new tariff. There seems TO be nc
doubt but what that is the opinion oi
the business interests of the country
No mention has been made of Sena
tor Penrose of Pennsylvania, chair
man of the finance committee. to sue
ceed Senator Lodge as Republican
leader because of the Pennsylvania
senator's seriously impaired healtt
which has kept him away from Wash
ington much of the time the past tive
years.
The caucus of the Republican mem
bers of the house to consider the pro
posed tariff bill, to be held this even
ing, promises to be a lively session
High protectionists control the way'
and means committee, but the major
ity of Republican members are no
high protectionists, especially on ne
ceSSlueS ana HOH-SoiupeLAtINe a. 'iNAC'7
For instance any duty on lumber VII
provoke row.
Heated discussions in congress, il
not a figure of speech at the presen
time. One day this week a small bo.
successfully experimental with cook
ing an egg on one of the stone step
leading from the capitol plaza to tn
senate chamber. 1t is probable tha
members of congress are now wishln'
they had done more work last sprlns
Under the circumstances they are as
sured of a session that will las
throughout the torid Washington sum
mer and late into the fall.
MAN SAID TO BE COUSIN
OF HARDING DIES IN IVES
SPOKANE, Wash, June 80. = Tn
funeral services for J. E. Bennett, I