The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-12-16
FIGHTS LODGE
in WASHINGTON
Defeated Prohibition Can
didate Issues Protest
and Challenge
DIRECTED TO
VICE-PRES. COOLIDGE
"Flagrant Irregularities
in the Election
Charged

Washington, ID. c., Dec. l6.-The
proceedings begun in Massachusetts
challenging the reelection to the SEN
ate Of Henry Cabot Lodge, the Repub-
lican leader, to-day were transferred
to the Senate itself
"A protest and challenge against the
election of Senator Lodge was received
by Vice President Coolidge from Con-
rad W. Crooker, attorney for John A.
Nichols, defeated Prohibition candl I
date, and representative Of the liberal
Republican league Of Massachusetts,.
"Flagrant irregularities" in the
Nov. senatorial election were charged
in Mr.. Crooker's petition, which de-
clared Senator Lodge was a ''minor-
ityns. winner and had been "repudi-
ated" Mr. Croker asked for an i'm
mediate hearing.
The papers are to be referred to the
Senate privileges and elections COM
mittee of which Senator Dillingham;,
Republican, Vermont, is chairman, II
is not customary for the committee
or the Senate to take action on elec-
tion contests until the convening Of
the new Congress which they affect,
and Senate leaders indicated to-day
that despite the request for immediate
action the Croker proceedings would
lie dormant until March 4.
Reports that Vice President Cool
idge might make a preliminary refer
ence Of his petition to Senators Lodge
and Walsh, in accordance with a SEN
- - Ir loI r. (xau.tyax -
send Vice President Coolidge another
protest against any such move He
declared that improperly Of referring
his papers to Senator Lodge was ''ob-
vious."
Mr.. Crooker's statement said THAT
the Liberal Republican league repre-
sented more than 100000 Massachu
setts Republicans. He added that his
protest against the validity of Mr..
Lodges reelection was justified by
abundant evidence" and also by @the
demonstration of Mas
sachusetts public sentiment at the
polls in the recent elections"
Massachusetts has repudiated Lodge |
and all the reactionary obstruction |
hat he stands for" the statement |
'aid.
The total vote for senator was $751;
I57, it was declared, and Senator /
lodge received on the face of returns
Il4.i30 and WAS. thus a minority |
1t was added that no two
abulations of the vote agree.
''Flagrant Irregularities in the con-
Iuct Of the election occurred all over
he state" Mr. Crooker said, "and the
esult, as tabulated by the governor
nd council as the basis for the issu-
nee of certificate of election to
,odge, is a result that cannot be ac-
epted or recognized as representative
I a legal or final result, We are
atisfed on all the information that
as come into our possession since the
lection that Lodge was legally elect
d, and / am here to obtain an i'm
lediate opportunity to prove it,
Mr.. Crooker said his fight was not
/ behalf Of William A. CASTOR, who
las the Democratic candidate, and
as not partisan move, but was
esigned to 'unseat the man who has
more harm as an OBJ I
tructor of world peace and the nat !
raj expression of liberal thought than ,
nv man since Nero"
"More than that" he continued,
The prfctices by which Lodge has ,
his power in Massachu- q
'tts are as venal and menaceful as
lything that Platt, Penrose or Quay Z
'er attempted" a
Mr.. Crooker added that he realized !
lie administration would fight to "re-
i'm its principal senatorial prop but a
, said Lodge was beaten at home and Q
S machine is shattered wreck" h
II is understood that the Liberal /
ague has served notice on Massa-
usetts election officials to preserve ,
e ballots for use in the Senate con- a
ST.
Senator Lodge rcfrained from com.
ent on the contest petition. His :,
lends said he did not regard the ~
owe as imDorfant