The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-12-17
ON
Goes
to Senate
Protest Challenging Rc-Elec'
ton of Massachusetts, Sena-
tor Presented by Liberal
Republican League.
Irregularities Alleged d

Washington, Dec. l6.-The pro-
ceedlngs begun in Massachusetts chal-
lenging the reelection to the senate
OF Henry Cabot Lodge, the republi-
can leader, today were transferred to
the senate itself.
A protest and challenge" against
the election OF Senator Lodge was re-
ceived by Vice President Coolidge
from Conrad w. Crooker, attorney for
John w. Nichols defeated prohibition
candidate. and representative of the
Liberal Republican league OF Massa-
chusetts.
"F'lagrant irregularities" in tho No
vember senatorial election vera
charged in Mr.. Crooker's petition,
which declared Senator Lodge was q
minority" winner and had been re-
pudiated." Mr.. Croolser asked for an
immediate hearing.
The papers are to be referred to
the senate privileges and elections
committee of which Senator Dilling-
ham, republican,, Vermont Is chair
man. 1t is not customary for the COM
mittee or the senate to take action on
election contests until the convening
Of the new congress which they affect
and senate leaders indicated today
that despite the request for immedi-
ate action. the Crooker proceeding
would lie dormant until March 4. The
reports that Vice President Coolidge
might make preliminary reference
OF his petition to Senator's Lodge and
Walsh, in accordance with a senate
custom. today led Mr.. Crooker to
send Vice President Coolidge another
protest against any such move. He
declared that the improperly Of re-
ferring his papers to Senator Lodge
was obvious"
Abundant Evidence"
Mr.. Crooker's statement said that
the Liberal Republican league repre-
sented more than 1000 Massachu-
setts republicans. He added that his
protest against the validity of Mr..
Lodges reelection was justified by
abundant evidence" and also by tho
overwhelming demonstration Of
Massachusetts public sentiment at the
! polls In the recent election"
Massachusetts has repudiAted
Lodge and all the reactionry obstruc-
tion that he stands for" the state
ment said.
Tho total vote for senator was
S67,157, it was declared. Senator
Lodge received In the face Of returns
4l4,130 and was thus a minority
candidate" 1t was added that no two
tabulations Of the vote agree.
"Flagrant irregularities In the con-
duct OF the election occurred over the
state" Mr.. Crooker said. land the re-
suit, as tabulated by the governor
and council as the basis for the IS
suance of certificate Of election to
Lodge, Is result that cannot be ac-
cepted or recognized as representative
of legal or final result. We are sat
isfied on all the information that has
come into our possession since the
election that Lodge was not legally
elected. and I am here to obtain an
immediate opportunity to prove t."
"Not Partisan Move"
Mr.. Croeker said his fight was not
In behalf Of William A. CASTOR, the
democratic candidate, and was not a
partisan move but was deigned ITO
unseat the man who has accomplish
ed more harm as an obstructor OF
world peace and the natural express
sion of liberal thought than any man
since Nero"
More than that" he continued,
the practices by which Lodge has
maintained his power In Massachu-
setts are as venal and menaceful ~
anything that Plata, Penrose or
Quay ever attempted"
Mr.. Crooker added that he realized
the administration would fight to ire
tain. its principal senatorial PROP
but he said Lodge was beaten at
home and his machine is a shattered
wreck"
1t is understood that the Liberal
league has served notice on Massa.
chusetts election officials to preserve
| the ballots OF for use in the senate
contest.
Senator Lodge refrained from COM
ment on the contest petition. His
friends did not regard the move as
important.