New-York tribune., 1922-07-20
Senator Hitchcock
Faces Real Fight
Party Chiefs Hear Oppor-
!. .unity Knock and May
Jump to Liberal Camp
Bv Carter Field

while there Is Jubilatlon among the
liberal and radical elements. The at
t;tude Of at least few Of the stand
rat element is one Of secret specula-
sion as to whether they had not better
turn progressive themselves.
There is no telling, some Of the reac-
tlonaries say privately, how far this
hing is going. The control of the Re-
publican party may easily pass into
he hands of the progressive element
in the next few years, possibly before
the 1924 convention. What the pro-
grsssive element chiefly lacks Is a
leader under whom they can unite. At
psesent they agree only on a few prin-
ciples, while they are torn and made
Ineffective very much of the time by
petty jealousies.
Hear Opportunity Knocking
This Is regarded by those studying
the situation here-particularly those
In the conservative camp--as Just as
true to-day as just after Roosevelt
withdrew his leadership from the Pro-
gressive party. Almost Immediately it
shrveled.
That is why some of the men identi-
fed with the stand-pat element of the
party, but not too obviously labeled in
the public mind as reactionaries, are
wondering # it would not profit them
politically to leap upon what may
easily become the real band wagon.
Many times to-day, in connection
with this sort of talk around the cloak
S2ems, was heard the old story of an
Alabama man who was frowning Sc
yerely as he read letter.
What's the trouble?" inquired col
lsague.
MY son Is writing me about how
strong the Populists are getting down
IN Alabama he replied.
,n;s.sa using down to fight fhem % in
CURED the colleague.
.Heii, no! If they are as strong as
ny son says they are / am going down
. iead them," retorted the Alabama
Beat Rosewater in 1912
lag Idea is the more appealing as q
issait of Howell's victory because
lowell made his fight successfully
nne after time, inside the Republican
psV HIS first victory, which attract
e national attention, was just after
NEBRASKA decided to elect national
femmitteemen in the primaries, in
stead of having the state delegation to
the party national conventions choose
'hem, as is the usual rule
howell some eight years ago defeat
ed Victor Rosewater, former chairman
q the national committee and one of
me famous stand-pat figures of 1912.
noWell and his friends kept control of
,i,e @ Republican organization in, the
isl2 light, so that the regular organi-
sasion was fighting for Roosevelt.
he has been national committeeman
ey"r since, and has been a rather con-
ss,ant thorn in the sides of the national
Nopuollean leaders. For instance, ever
.l slhce lyi2 ne has been convinced that
.he southern representation in Repub-
acan national conventions, always sus-
pected and frequently guilty not only
o. selling their votes but generally
ste'ilng them to two or three buyers,
should be scaled down to a point where
tae'r power in the convention would be
Almost negligible.
Won Partial Victory
ne had partial victory, and after
.ae Henry Lincoln Johnson episode in
.ae iast convention the delegates were
20 shocked that they put through a
resolution during the last few minutes
Iso'iaing for committee to work out
new plan.
novel; was named on that commit
ss. az. AS the recognized leader of the
asht mere was not much else to do
aoous II; Pretty soon it became appar-
ens 70 the party leaders that HowelPs
committee was considerably too active.
!. = gave threats of impairing too much
cue measure of control which the
sITuthern negro delegate affords to
s wnas might be called the administra-
son crowd in convention.
AT the earnest demands of prominent
negro Republicans and of some of the
tafty, leaders, Will Hays, then ma
rnohai chairman, added few men to
mowelis committee, whereupon its
solk died natural death, as might
nave been expected.
For Government Ownership
.s, N Howell's career as a municipal
si smeiai OF Omaha, however, which
ssuses the cold chills to run up and
NSsn ~ @ tne backs of the old line leaders.
NJ, ~ isi2 Omaha took over her water
~ from a private company, after
Eauuel =" usual sort of political battle, and
nrass e, started to run them. He i'm
V'ea sso s, The water, reduced the cost and
H.. ~ "a number of improvements. Be-
ssrs. ssaa1, Senator George Norris as
ssa tsu Today, the water was muddy
nao. After that it was good.
m,,r;s comes an unusual feature of
asn.I ownership, showing the un-
r. practical streak in this particu-
tnL progressive. He provided for a
ma sd'hg iund to retire the water bonds
ssceipts. eAeS' y" 'iieln ous .oi
sueh n's was so successful and proved
f1s a . mt that the city soon took over
sta,tE: Ess plant and recently followed by
Tbasg municipal ice plant.
7res, IS no doubt here that with the
}ss si. I: Popularity Howell mas built up
star amIMself 'mae in Omaha he will give Sem
sss',. s, a'tchcock, who led President Will
Of H. aEnt In the Senate for the League
peii,i.s.i,ons, the hardest battle of his
liowaSsa career. Hitchcock Is wet and
eIestsad Is dry. Hitchcock was re-
sedea ~ 1915 when the West stam-
Tor Wilson on the. "kept us out
..s.esbs,aasa,icaiiy al the Republicans in
slsrd dAa "a are dry, so Howell does not
soat;nus ~ iose many il that issue should
i!steb..es, not while on the other hand
esysnsosck ~ may lose some of tbs old
ssiaa '1y following in the Democratic