The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-02-01
REPUBLICANS FEAR
LOSS OF CONGRESS
Managers of Both Parties
Preparing for Stiff Po-
litical Fight
STRONG REACTION
AGAINST PARTY
Hard Fight TO Re-elect POmerene, Demo
crat. i'm Ohio-Sharp Contest Between
Senator New and Beveridge in Indiana
-Gronna Battling with McCumber.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-Rcpubli-
can control of the house is the great IS
sue in the election campaign for 1922,
in which the managers Of both parties
already are taking an active and agrees
sive interest Campaigns are under way
i'm pivotal states. such as Ohio and In
diana, and in these two states the strug-
gle centcrs around Ohio, with the Re
pIblicans determined to elect Il United
States senator and increase the Republi-
can representation in the house 50 as to
add to the prestige of President Hard
ing for the 1924 contest.
The same central thought is involved
i'm the contest Of the Democratic ma
tional campaign leaders in Ohio. Sena-
tor pomcrene. Democratic incumbent
has the record of capturing the largest
Democratic majority in Ohio in a de-
cadc. and. approved as he is by citizens
of all parties. the Democratic managers
are hopeful of his reelection IN l'reNi-
dent IIarding'S native state. Such an
accomplishment, snmc of the far-Seeing
political cages in the party say, would
make Mr. P0mcrcnc the natural Demo
cratic nominee for the presidency in
192t
Continuance of Republican control of
the senate seems reasonably certain, IN
the opinion of the chairman of the lie
publican senatorial committee. The
RcpublicanS have q majority of 20 IN
the senate and they believe there is very
Iittl. chance of enough incumbcnts being
defeated to. overcome this big lead.
Thirtv-three senators are to be elected
in 80 states Pennsylvania having to
choose two. At present IS of these
seats are held by Republicans and u
by Democrats.
There is such a strong reaction in
progress against the Republican party
that its leaders are fearful of n land
slide greater than that-sOf 1920, which
might reduce the present Republican
house majority of 1G3 to -, or eliminate
it altogether. If the reaction is not
halted soon. the conservative leaders see
the Republicans losing control of the
house.
The farm bloc of the West and Mid
die West will figure in the contests. al
though the strength of this group, eX-
Uected To be stronger. Will not tend to
lessen actual Republican votes in the
house The belief is that bloc will in
crease its strength. now about 100 in
the house. and that Republicans in the
West who opposed the bloc'S legislative
program will be succeeded by radical
Republicans
Many issues Involved.
There are 50 many issues. direct and
collateral. working against the party
i'm power as 10 defy the ordinary elec-
ton forecast One of the collateral is
sues. inimical to Republican success,
and especially to wealthy senatorial as
pirants. is the Newberry case and eX-
co>sive expenditures in elections. The
others are the failure of the Republican
party to reduce taxes and enact tax
bill acceptable to the greater number of
L., yI., ar,I 40
bonus. and the troubles incident to tar
if revision Another thing working
against Republican success in some
states is the class legislation forced
through congress by the farm bloc and
approved by the President.
President Harding intends TO keep his
hands off the primary contest. This be
came known last week. after one of the
prospective candidates conferred with
Mr. Harding at the White House. The
President Sinteuds. however, to interest
himself to the extent of stopping a fac
tinnal fight which might weaken the
nartv in the regular election. To that
end he has counseIed the calling Of al
advisory convention Of the state com
mittce. 1t will be held in April to give
the active workers. an opportunity OF
considering and agreeing upon the
strongest candidate.
In the Republican field there are foul
Iongworth, $. d. FeSs chairman of thu
Republican congressional committee. an,
Theodore + Barton and Walter F
Brown. now serving as chairman of the
committee 10 TeOrganiZc the government
department. Mr.. FeSs seems to be lead
ing i'm sentiment
Fight On in Indiana ...
in Indiana. Senator Harry T.. New
stawart Renub}can leader and an in
., Il = =. r.T
dent. is having an uphill fight to vii
the Republican nomination. He IS op
poaed by ex-senator Albert !. Bevprldge
Progressive Even should he win in hi
primaries he viii face another doubtfu
battle Thomas r. Marshall, formerl'
vice president, or Samuel NJ. RaIston
former governor, viii be his opponent il
\ decidedly interesting primary fish
will be i'm North Dakota, where Senate
NcCumbcr win find himself pitte
against ex-senator Gronna. with tn
latter supported by the Non-Partisal
league Those familiar with the situa
ton are of the opinion that the recen
elevation of Mr.. AcCumbcr to chair
manship of the. finance committee vii
bring about his nomination and election
local pride, it lis believed. will Undue
the western voters TO support him an
keep the finance Craftsmanship in tn
West. where it now rests for the frs
time in 80 years.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, who wi
be unOpposed iH bis party. is expecte
to have the hardest election struggle i
his career The Republican party
not 50 strong il Massachusetts as !
times past, but the New England trad
ton of keeping ia senator in Office Ion
periods and obtaiTEng thereby importan
prestige in committee posts is expecte
to carry Mr.. lodge TO success in tn
November election
Senator Townshend of Michigan. b,
cause of his support of Newberry. wi
be greatly handicapped i'm the primar
and election. There are several Rennl
lean aspirants for his seat, includin
W. Watkins. chairman of the stat
board "f agriculture. and one of the fol
mer officers of the American Legion.
Senator James \. Reed. Democrat {
60. p.