Evening star., 1922-05-18
PROGRESSIVE WAR
ON OLD GUARD SEEN
Republican Control in Bal
ance as Roosevelt Follow
ers Win Primaries.
by N. O. MESSENGER.

Republican politicians Of national
prominence are concerning themselves
with the question whether the so-called
progressive wing of the republican
party Is seeking control and domination.
looking to the presidential campaign two
years hence. Recent events in Indiana
and Pennsylvania are construed as lend
ing interest to the query.
In the campaign Of 1920 faptionalisgn
was suspended. For a year and a half
prior thereto Chairman Will Hays of
the republican national committee had
devoted himself to reconciling the pro-
to bury differences in benaf of a pos
sible ousting OF the democrats was ef-
fectual. The seven million republican
plurality was the result. At the time
it was phophesied that the progressives
would later be found not dead, but Sleep
ing.
In may be more than a coincidence, it
is thought by politicians, that the VIC
tors in the two latest primary contests
were former lieutenants of Theodore
Roosevelt and leading progressives, ex-
Senator Beverage and Clifford Pinchot.
Both had been radical progressives. In
Indiana, Mr.. Beveridge triumphed over
Senator New, a leader in the old guard.
In Pennsylvania Mr.. Pinchot appears to
have absorbed some Of the old guard.
Divide in Pennsylvania.
1t is only fair, however, to note that
in Pennsylvania state issues were in
volved and that one of the old guard
supporters. Senator Pepper. won a
sweeping victory over his opponent
in the senatorial primaries. suggest
ing that the regular republicans had
stood pat in the senatorship and di-
vided on the governorship.
Gov. Sproul. who ought to know
his Pennsylvania, takes cognizance of
the mixed conditions entering into
the governorship result. Nm state
ment given to the Associated Press
he takes into account the women's
vote, unemployment in the mines. dis
satisfaction with the things that be
at Washington and Harrisburg and
discomfort and restlessness generally
But when it Is recalled that Mr..
Pinchot, in 1914, running for the Sen
ate as progressive, against Senator
Penrose, was defeated by a plurality
of 100000. politicians are disposed to
draw the inference that progressive
sentiment in the Keystone state is
showng signs OF when Mr
Alter, an avowed supporter of the old
regime. <
Primary Was Unbossed.
To be sure. this was an Embossed
primary, while in 1914 the state was
under strict party discipline. main
tanned by Senator Penrose as the un-
questioned head of the organization.
Now, also, enters the feminine equa-
tion, which henceforth must be reck-
oned with. although not easily to be
counted upon by party bosses or
rigid party organization.
1t is recognized by politicians here
that the progressive element In the
propressiye wing will have conspicu-
Gus leaders in its nationwide con-
stituency. There will be Mr.. Pinchot
in the east, Mr.. Beveridge beyond the
AIlegnenies, Senator Lenroot, a con-
serystiye progressive, and Senator La
EoIietfe. radical, in the middle
west. Senator johnson on the coast
and Senator Borah for the Rockies.
New Jersey and New England; in the
ward return to power, will doubt
less furnish notables also.
Il is expected here that between
Ie...~ nrimaries are held, there will
he an outbreak OF progressivism in
rennhi;can politics in that state. and
that Senator Frelinghuysen. resog-
..,,1I heve to fight to hold his own.
One feature of conditions existing
.nd spnrehended, expected to operate
to the advantage of the progressives.
~ ~ that they will capitalize the unrest
ia discontent apparently obtaining
smonr the voters. which is likely to
hn nanifested by voting against can
didates who are in office and for men
.,ho want to be in, just as was point
"a onf by Gov. Sproul. This will fol-
iov. it is thought. regardless OF z
cIssrly drawn issue between the old
--s.f-. II 49,