The Washington herald., 1922-12-12
Progressive and Conservative
Forces in Struggle to Con-
troll Democratic Paty
SEEK UNDERWOOD PLACE
Simmons and Robinson Repre-
, sent Conflicting Interests
Am on Q Senatorial Groups
By JAMES r. NOURSE,
Universal Service.

IuNernoi Befvtee.
A fight is ON between progress
sive and conservative Democrats
IN the Senate for the minority
leadership, which Is TO be va
Gated at the, end jsf the present
Congress by Leader Oscar Under
wood. ia-
Candidates are Joseph T. Rob
inson of Arkansas. backed by the
progressively inclined Senators;
and Furnifold NJ. Simmons, repre-
sentative of the Democratic old
guard.
OF NATIONAL CONCERN.
The contest between Robinson and
Simmons Is rapidly assuming pro-
portions OF nationwide Importance
because of the probable effect the
sesuIt will have upon leadership Of
the party In the 1884 struggle.
Robinson led the Democratic fight
against the Four-Power Treaty and
the rest of the pacts agreed upon
at the arms conference. He stands
for a new order. He wants the
party to adopt a truly progressive
program. He believes In a vfrile
and constructive leadership upon all
national issues.
SUPPORT OF HARRISON.
Robinson has the active support
of Senator Pat Harrison Of Missis-
sippi, who also wants a new order
-. e. H.rr{anr, haliavAQ that
Wilson and Cox and all the other
pro-leaguers have served their turn
and failed.
Inspired articles recently appear
ing in publications friendly TO the
ySague Of Nations idea which pre-
afct that Wilson will again assert
himself and assume to be the party
leader have added spice to the Rob
inson-Simmons contest. Some OF
these articles have even gone the
length of asserting that Wilson's
health is improving so rapidly that
he might be the 1924 nominee him
self.
The progressive Democrats in the
Senate do not desire such leadership.
They are ready to bolt at the first
opportunity any attempt ON the part
Of the Wilson following to dictate to
them on matters OF party policy. II
10 unlikely that Wilson's friends In
the Senate could swing enough votes
either way to control the election
of the new leader.
TEN NEW MEMBERS.
II the matter of Underwood's sue
cessor were voted upon now. it Is
likely that Simmons would win. For
this reason Robinson's supporters
are demanding that the election be
put over until the new Congress con-
venes, contending that II is no more
than right that the newly-eleced
Democrats who are to sit In the
Sixty-eighth Congress should be per-
mitted to vote upon the question.
There will be ten new Democrats
in the next Senate, as follows: Cope
land. New York; Edwards. New
Jersey; Bruce. Maryland; Neely.
West Virginia; Wheeler. Montana;
Dill. Washington; Ferris, Michigan,
and Stephens, Mississippi.
MANY PROGRESSIvES.
Many Of the Senators in this group
will Join the progressive ranks. In
q contest between Robinson and
Simmons, their votes would 60 to
Robinson as the progressive candi-
date. Robinson's aides contend that
it would be unfair to this large num-
Der of new Senators to have their
leader chosen for them now by the
votes Of Senators, many of whom are
about to leave the Senate.
1t appears likely that the advo-
Gates Of postponement will win and
there will be no selection of a leader
until the new Congress comes in.
Underwood Is taking no part In the
controversy as he plans to take a
long rest in Europe after the present
session.