Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-03
GOV. SPROUL IS EAGER
FOR PENROSE' SEAT
May Appoint Fletcher to Fill
Vacancy in U. S. Senate
Until November.


New York Times.
Washington. Jan. 3.-The nation is
wwtching the progress OF the Penn
sylvania political leaders In choosing
q successor To Senator Penroso and
composing the political differences In
the Republican ranks in the State,
now demoraiixed and chaotic through
the death OF the unouestioned party
leader. According 10 information,
Governor Sproul In In communication
with members OF the National Ad-
mtnistration relative to the appoint
ment OF \ successor to the senior Sena-
tor from PENNSYLVANIA.
Governor Sproul. according 10 word
from Pennsylvania. is considering the
appointment Of Under Secretary of
State Henry Il. Fletcher for the uneX-
rircd term Of Mr.. Penrose. The APP
roin,ce would serve until successor
Ia elected next November.
According to this plan Mr.. Fletcher.
n he should be named. would serve un-
III November, 1922. and would then be
appointed Ambassador to Belgium. II
Mr. Fletcher should consent to this
plan. Il is held. the Governor Of Penn
sylvania would be relieved of very
embarrassing situation and would be
left free to run for election TO the
Senate.
The situation in Pennsylvania IS
hard 10 solve because of the desire of
those who were next TO nominal power
20 Senator Penrose TO perpetuate the
machine. Governor Sproul is ANXIOUS
! o. become the successor Of Mr.. PEN
IN.
lican National Committeeman from
his State. His friends say he has the
ability and experience which qualify
him and the support of powerful
organizations. His campaign for the
nomination for President at Chicago
IN 1920 was directed by w. w. After
bury. first Vice President OF the Penn
sylvania Railroad.
Against Governor Sprouts ambition
60 become United States Senator are
pltted the political leaders of his own
county. the Wares in Philadelphia,
Mayer Magee TN Pittsburg and Repre-
sentative w. NJ. Griest OF Lancaster.
The largest four vote producing sec
tions. sufficient 10 elect. are opposed
to his election to the Senate. IL he
becomes candidate indications are
that a biz fight. probably favoring a
fusion candidate. VIII be staged unless
be can make some deals not now re-
Sardsd as possible.
There are plenty Of outstanding men
In Eastern Pennsylvania qualified by
experience I'm affairs and politics TO
succeed Mr.. penrose in the Senate. In
/ Congress from this section are Repre-
sentative George s. Graham Of Phila-
delphia and Representative Thomas s.
Butler of West Chester. who would be
acceptable 90 the politicians. In Phila-
eslph,a appear Alba n. Johnson. for
Nor head OF the Baldwin Locomotive
Works; Edwin = Stuart former Gov
ernor and one Of the most popular
men IN the state; Charlcmagne Tower
former Ambassador 20 Germany, and
". =. S,otesbury, fiuancier. None OF
th,s. would accept tho appointeien,
unleas he had assurances of supper,
Cor the November election. II is be-
iievei.
The polstics from Governor Sproul'.
point ~ view--that Of becoming n can.
diAate IN Novembcr--ss that a mar
must b. found for the appointment
who would agree 20 stop out following
the election. Those who know Mr.
Fletcher say ne would not enter int
such an arrangement unless thos
high I'm the Administration shoul'
strongly advise a. lie has large fol
lowing among the younger men j.
PENNSYLVANIA who would refuse {
give their consent 20 such an agree
men,. but who would work for hi
election n he should he appointed.
Pennsylvania has never faced such
political chaos as At present. Sine
state politics was ruled by Simo
Cameron. with the formation Of IN
Republican Party. there has alway
been a leader IN training. Today thsr
IS no such man. Sproul approaches
but u is pointed out that his admins
tration is under such a wide attac
Cor alleged extravaganza and he ha
made the enmify Of so many bi
county leaders as 10 make his figt
for control doubtful.