The Washington herald., 1921-01-19
Lodge Tells Democrats
Senate Won't Confirm
Party Choices.
NEW ARMY OFFICERS
ONLY EXCEPTED
Estimate Five Thousand
Awards Will Die for
Lack of Approval.

a
cratic members of the Senate to OBJ
tain action on the more than 10000
nominations that have been made by
President Wilson since Congress ad-'
journed in June was blocked yes
terday by the Republican majority.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, of Mas
sachusetts, served notice on the
Democratic members that it was not
the intention of the Senate to fIl
important places in the War and
Navy Departments with favorites of
the present Cabinet officers who
might embarass the acts of the
Harding administration.
Unanimous consent was obtained,
however. for the reference to the
Committee on Military Affairs of the
nominations of 1894 men appointed
to the army from the reserve corps
or civilian life under the terms of
the army reorganization bill after
it had been pointed out by Senator
Oscar Underwood, of Alabama, that
unless these names were confirmed
by the Senate the men involved
would automatically be thrown out
of the army on March 4 when all
nominations of the present session
expire.
Fletcher starts Fight.
The Senate struggle. which lasted
for more than two hours, started
when Senator Duncan U. Fletcher.
Of Florida, introduced a resolution
calling upon the, Postmaster Gen
eraI to furnish the Senate with the
names of all veterans or widows of
men who fought in. the world war
that had been nominated for postal
appointment with a view to confirm
ing these nominations. -.
This move was --shelved through
the motion of Charles e. Townsend,
of Michigan, to refer the Fletcher
resolution to the Committee on
Postoftice and Postroads, which car
ried.
Two efforts were made by Senator
Joseph T. Robinson, of Arkansas,
TO force the Senate into executive
session. Both were defeated by a
virtual party vote, 36 to IS, Senator
George w. Norris, of Nebraska, be-
ing the only Republican who sup
ported the Democratic motion.
Army Appointees Safe.
Senator Underwood paved the way
for a compromise that would per-
nit consideration of the men who
have just been selected to fill the
offiCered ranks of the army when
he said that it would be "a crime"
He pointed out to the Senate that
unless the names of these men were
acted upon before March they
would revert to their previous sta
tus and being new appointments
would be on the streets out of work
when Harding took office.
These men were rewarded for
service and the service
they rendered their country should
be considered. There is no politics
in it," he said.
Lodge Objects
Senator Lodge said that he had
no disposition to hold up all of
the appointments. but that he want
ed to separate them.
Some of them ought to be care
fully considered" he said. IF l can
prevent it. | will not permit any
to be made to the head
of navy bureaus and have them
packed for the next four years by
men who would hamper the work
Of the Harding administration"
Senator Norris, who opposed the
action of his party colleagues in
refusing the calling of an exeCu-
tive session, said that he did so be-
cause the action of the Senate was
holding up the confirmation of a
Commissioner of Patents and an
Commissioner of Patents.
The men that have been named
are good men," he said, and Mr..
Harding probably will name the
same ones. If these men are not
before the 4th of March,
however, there will be no one after
that time to sign patents and many
valuable rights that inventors in
this country hold may expire.
wish to warn the Senate that 1 in
tend to press for action on this
matter again.
Secretary of War Baker described
as a very happy outcome" the ac-
tion OF. the Senate in dealing with
the army promotions.
Avoids Seriousness.
"I am sorry the whole list was
not included in the Senate's action"
Baker said, but favor
able consideration by the Senate on
the Junior officers will prevent a
serious situatio
Secretary Baker explained that
the Senate's position of opposition
to confirmation Of the entire list
would result in those who are con-
firmed being temporarily senior in
rank to some officers whose promo
tions are not approved. He added,
however. that undoubtedly at the
next session of Congress the new
Secretary of War would recommend
the promotion of the men passed
up. as the advances in grades were
made in pursuance to the army re-
act.