Evening star., 1922-07-17
STRIKE UNCERTAIN
ELECTION ELEMENT
Textile Workers May Have
Effect on Results in
Rhode Island.
GOOD SHOWING BY G. O.P
Former Gov. Beekman Expected to
Give Senator Gerry \
Warm Fight:
GOOD SHOWING BY G. o. P.
BY n. O. MESSENGER.
N rorraupnpdops nf Tho gtav

Stan Correspondent Of The Star
PROVIDENCE. X. L., July 17.-One of
the doubtful states in the next sena-
torial election will be Rhode Island,
with the republicans now considered
to have a fair show of gaining the
seat held by Senator Gerry, demo-
crat. The uncertainties Of the future
include the effect of the textile strike
and the swing of the vote OF some
$4,000 women who viii take part in
his senatorial conest.
The contesting candidates in No
vember will be r. Livingston Beck
man, republican, and Senator Gerry,
democrat. While the nominations will
not be made until late September,
it is accepted that they will be nomi-
mated on the respective tickets with
out opposition. Mr. Beekman was
governor of the state for six years
Mr.. Gerry was in the United States
Senate for the six-year period. so
that both have record before the
people by which their qualifications
can be appraised.
Entrance Through Society.
It seems that in this state in re-
cent years entry into the United
States Senate is through a society
portal-Newport, which opens to
men of great wealth. Neither of
these gentlemen is a native son of
Rhode Island, but both came from
New York One of the complaints
against Senator Gerry in his own
party is that he has imported" New
York henchmen to aid him, instead
of relying upon local talent.
Another uncertainty of the future
Is the strength of the Independent
vote. which is steadily increasing.
This WSs shown in the election of
democratic mayor of Providence
when Harding carried the state by a
landslide. Rhode Island is regarded
as normally a republican state.
There are no indications of the ex-
istence here to any extent of the
spirit of revolt in the republican
party which was so notable in Indi-
ana: Iowa and Pennsylvania.
No Individual &. o. p. Leader.
At present, Rhode Island republi-
cans are Embossed by an individual.
In the lifetime of the late Charles r.
Braden the state had a boss of the
type of Penrose. but as in Pennsyl-
vania the dead lion left no successor.
Now there Is a coterie Of small would
be bosses, none with considerable
following that could be delivered. The
democrats have a strong leader in the
person of Patrick Henry Quinn. who
keeps the party we'll in hand.
What is seriously concerning the
people of the state at this moment
that is, the thinking, sympathetic
element which has a thought above
the pleasures and gratifications OF the
moments the great strike amcng
the textile workers. What effect 1t
will have upon politics is problemati-
cal. The politicians are thinking
about electing q United States senator
of the democratic or republican politi-
cal faith; the earnest, pubiic-spirted
souls are wondering how the indus
trial sore that is eating into a large
section of the population can be cured.
Blame ON Employers.
This is the 'twenty-second week OF
a strike among the textile workers OF
the state. It was strike not for
higher wages but against reduction
Of wages, following sharply upon
preyious reduction Of 20 per cent,
which had been accepted by the work
ers without a, murmur. 1t is said
here by neutral observers that the
employers were largely to blame for
the crisis which is now on. II Is
charged that they acted in q ruthless
manner; that they did not call in the
leaders Of the employees and endeavor
to arrive at an understandlns. out
that they abruptly announced . cut
in waxes overnight and stood pat on
that. ,h,.,.
the differences to arbitration the en-
nInvers refused. They felt that they
cnn16 wear the strikers out In course
81 time. it Is alleged, and have ad-
hered to that course. It is partially
succeedinE, some 20 per cent having
returned 20 work In the past month.
Huf the question 10 whether such
victory IL II 10 gained. will be worth
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