The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-23
DEMOCRATS WILL CENTER HOPES ON
 1924 ELECTIONS
Do Not Expect to Win Either House This Fall, But to Re- duce the Republican
 Majority
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau. The Age-PcraId.
 500 Davidson Building.


 Washington, April 22.-(Special0- Democratic leaders do not expect to win either house of Congress in the forthcoming elections. But they are confident of making such reductions in the republican maiorities present ly overwhelming, as positively to in- dicate the capture of the presidency tn 1924.
 Party leaders after series of con 8erences in Washington aSree that material reduction in republican ma 1orities is assured; that a "near" cap ture of the House is probable, and that by er-electing democratic sena- tors in doubtful states or overthrow ing an outstanding republican sena- tor such as Senator Lodge of Massa ehusetts they will so impress the country with confidence that the presidential election will be easy"
 The leaders who made the inven- tory of the country determined to carry the fight to the republicans. They would not defend the League of Nations or the administration Of woodrow Wilson. They feel that neither needs defense. On the con tary they will assail the Harding administration for broken pledges and promises, pitiable Ineffective ness in Legislator. failure to reduce ex- penses or wipe out deficits, false pre- lenses respecting the tax, tariff and bonus measures, and for it's substitu ton of the "spolls" system for civil service regulations.
 Instead of decrying the result of the Washington conference these leaders and they are among the con servative, thinging element of the party, would claim responsibility and credit for notable achievements. They feet that the people are already aware that the Borah resolution providing for the conference was passed over the protests of the administration. by a coalition of progressive republicans and democrats; and that ratification could not have been possible but for the earnest cooperation of Senator Underwood, democratic leader, and the dozen other democrats who stood with him in that notable fight
 Seek Lodges Defeat
 Tn view of the determination to abandon the League of Nations as an issue there is ferveht hope that Woodrow Wilson and James M. Cox will remain in the background. Among the big results the democrats hope to bring about are the defeat of Sem ator Lodge in Massachusetts and the reelection of Senator Pomerene in. OulOs IL bhI AAdA SnoulQ W ll- son proceed against Lodge he would be doing as Lodge desires, and that should Cox because of his own presi- dential aspiration, withhold ardent support from Pomerene he would be doing the party an irreparable injury. Nothing could be more disastrous to the republicans from a psychological standpoint than the defeat of Lodge. even if by another republican, and fha qnafrhinU hv Pornarppa of state of the President from the repub- ncan column. The democrats will bend themselves in a concerted but intelligent effort to bring about these results.
 There is no danger of overconfi- denc. While the nly-posted boast with puerile enthusiasm, the real leaders are aware of the difficulties ahead. The outlook is most propi- tious. they admit. But they will be satisfied if the showing of demo- crats the coming fall Is sufficiently impressive to arouse the country to the understanding that the party Is again virile, and on account of its honesty of purpse, and It's proverbiai integrity. Is apt to elect president in 1924.
 Democratic leaders are aware that business conditions improve While Improvement is attributed to the nat ural resourceful of ths America. .hey admit that republican claim of credit will in measure be accepted. They know that if prosperity actually re- turns the republican panic will be soon forgotten. This knowledge tenn pers their enthusiasm. At the same time, they are confident, and the ural resource of America thev signscf democratic growth, especially able.