Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-02-23
SEN. LENR00Y
Us. SEN. Walsh

Senator Irvine L. Lenroot, of Wis
consin, is given by leaders of farm
organizations the lions share of the
credit for the adoption by the Senate
of the Capper-V Volstead bill, a meas
ure which removes all doubt about the
legal right Of farmers to collectively
market their products. By common
consent the Wisconsin statesman took
virtual charge of the bill and when
the smoke of battle cleared away it
was found that only one Senator voted
No.
Milo D. Campbell, President of the
National Federation Of Milk Produc-
ers and member of the Board of Di-
rectors Of the National Board of Farm
Organizations, said the bill represent
ed one of the most valuable and con-
structive pieces of National iegisla-
ton ever enacted Mr. Campbell de-
clared that but for the aid given by
the junior Senator from Wisconsin he
doubted if the bill would have passed
during the life Of the present Congress
if at all
Senator Lenroct was selected by his
colleagues to debate the question with
Senator Walsh, of Montana, one of the
most conspicuous and able constitu-
tional lawyers in public life The Mon
tana solon is a member of the sub
committee of the committee on judici-
ary to which body was committed the
task Of putting the proposed legisla-
ton in. legal shape But when the
subcommittee made its report it was
found that the bill had undergone so
many changes as to be entirely un-
recognizable by its authors.
The Senator from Wisconsin assum-
ed the onerous duty of reshaping the
bill and giving to it something of it's
old form. To do this it was necessary
to match his wits against Senator
Walsh, for whose legal ability every
member of the Senate entertains the
very highest regard. The Montana
statesman contended from the begin
ming that the bill was unconstitution-
al and proposed amendments which
farm organization leaders could not
accept.
For months the measure slept in
committee, To report it with the
Walsh amendments would be futile
because the Senate would promptly re
ject it or recommit it. This fact
greatly troubled Senator Capper and
other members of the Farm Bloc. Con-
ferences were arranged between vari-
Gus groups in the Senate and it was
finally determined that the bill would
be reported and Senator Lenroot un-
dertook the task of taking care of
Walsh"
Few men in public life court or in
vite a colloquy with the brilliant and
resourceful Senator from Montana
They do not care to be involved in
public controversy with him especial
ly when legal question is under dis
lcussion. But Senator Lenroot found
such a contest entirely to his liking.
For hours he engaged the man from
the Far West in highly entertaining
and refreshingly enlightening battle.
Senator Walsh is a master of the
strategy of debate. He is keen, alert
and admitted even by his political
enemies to be sincere. He is some
what stilted in expression and is ap-
parently welded to dogma which the
more progressive statesmen on both
sides of the House have long ago re-
| jected
In Senator Lenroot, the Montana
solon found what Mr. Campbell declar-
ed to be more than match. At any
rate when the vote was taken. much to
the surprise OF the Senate and the gal
leries the two men who had fought Sc
hard on the floor voted together in
support of the bill.
A good attendance, and a most en-
ioyable time are reported at the Mas.