Evening star., 1921-01-17

Albert J. Beveridge Opens At
tack on Party Dictation.
Fight On in Legislature.

: INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, January ~
Especially al).-Outrva1ing all other COL
tests in the Indiana legislature Is Ine
contest over the direct primary "aI
when Albert ]. Beverfdge, addressing
Indianapolis women, made vigorous
attack on party organizations that
attempt to dictate party nomlnatlons
and announced that his address was
"only the gentle beginning Of our our
primary" Lined up in favor OF re-
tanning the primary with all OF its
statewide features are Mr.. Beverage
and his friends. In favor of repeating
important features of the law are
Gov. McCray and some members OF
the legislature, as well as a number
of politicians. It is realized that the
primary may have a great bearing on
the senatorship nomination, for which
it is understood both Senator New
and Mr.. Beveridge Will be contes1anta
Subject Up in Legislature.
Bills both to extend the scope of the
direct primary and practically to kill
lature. and hearings are being con-
Quoted. At the first committee hear
ing which was held by the senate 1t
appeared that most of those who
spoke were in favor Of retaining the
primary. Gov. McCray. who soon after
the election announced that he would
favor repeating the statewide fea-
lures Of the law, also is holding con-
ferenceS, and has appointed a commit
tee composed Of the attorney general
and others to work out a new law.
Gov. McCray says that only a. wealthy
man can hope to obtain nomination
under the direct primary. Mr. McCray
himself is wealthy. He made two races
for the governorship nomination be-
fore he was successful.
I II -
that Mr.. Beveridge favored the direct
primary his vigorous speech with his
remarks about party organization ac-
tivity came as a surprise. because
there had been persistent rumors fol-
lowing his visit to Marion, Ohio, that
would leave the senatorship path free
to Senator New. But since he made the
speech it is generally concluded that
he proposes to fight to finish for the
seat in the Senate now held by New.
Discusses Party Dictati0n.
Speaking of the activity Of party or
ganizations in the selection of party
"If party organizations violate their
duty and support one candidate for
the party nomination. thus compelling
other candidates to devote large sums
to the building of personal and counter
organizations. then pass an act to
who thus prostitute their off1ciaf party
position.
such a law would not be hard to
draw nor difficult to execute. I am
sot sure that this very thing-the in
reference by party organizations in
the nomination Of party candidates
is not the root of most trouble ex-
perienced under the primary system.
Advantage Seen for New.
It is generally assumed that in the
New-Beveridge senatorship contest
Senator New will have a decided ad-
vantage in the matter of party organ
ization. One big aid that is counted
for New is the influence Of President
elect Harding. It is very generally
understood that Senator Harding
will be willing to do anything within
reason to bring about the renomina-
ton Of Senator New.
The prediction is generally made
that the direct primary will be intact
at the end of the legislative session.
One man expressed the belief that
three-fourths of the members of the
senate would vote against repeating
salient features of the law.