Evening star., 1922-11-09
WRITER SEES c. 0.P.
NERVOUS OVER 1924
Only Big Majorities of 1920
Save Congress- Control
for Republicans.
PARTY ISSUES NOT FAULT
Discomfort With Conditions Causes
Turnover Approaching That in
Taft Administration.
PARTY ISSUES NOT FAULT
BY DAVID LAURENCE.

The American people are still voting in
the negative. They have not changed
their mood from 1920, but this time
it was the republican party which
had to bear the brunt of popular
discomfort. Analysis of the returns
shows clearly that whether a republic
can or 4 democrat was defeated. the
reasons are to be found in the pro-
testing attitude of the electorate
rather than in an affirmative search
for a constructive alternative. No
guarding principle can be applied ex-
cept one. namely, that when the pub
lie is dissatisfied it turns from one
party to the other irrespective of
whether the latter has a better pro-
gram or a definite policy.
The turnover this year is practi-
cally as great as ii was in 1910 in
the middle of the Taft administration.
lf the republican party had not lucki-
ly obtained such a big majority in
1920 In both the Senate and House
they would have lost control of both
this time. As it is, the democratic
gains in the House are such that
Whlie the republicans will be left
with full responsibility for the per-
formance of the House they will not
have the comfortable control or fiexi-
bility necessary to push strictly party
measures through such an unwieldy
body as the lower branch.
me opportunities for group coali-
tions have been increased. There will
be more chance for "blocs" in Con-
Gress than ever before. These nat
tate against the party in power,
which will be anxious to make as
good record as possible for 1924.
East Swings to Democrats.
Speaking of 1924. the returns GER
tainly have heartened the democrats
at time when their morale has been
lowest. The popuious eastern states
have shown Il readiness to turn back
TO democracy even after SO short a
period of two years. for it is just
twentyfour months ago that they
helped bury the democrats under the
greatest political avalanche in Amer
lean history.
II looks today as if the democratic
party would provide itself with new
leaders. both inside and outside of
Congress. Senator Oscar Underwood
has announced that his health will
not permit him to accept the leader
ship of his party in the Senate. Mr..
Hitchcock of Nebraska. who was
runner-up in the fight for democratic
leader in the Senate. has been defeat
ed Tor recollection. Senator Fat uar-
rison of Mississippi. an aggressive
type of political leader, is likely to
be chosen. Cordell Hull. democratic
national chairman. has been elected
to the House from Tennessee.
If he retains the ,Chairma nship it
will be the first time in recent his
tory that a national party organiza-
ton will have been directed from the
halls of Congress. 1t may be that
he will find it impossible to discharge
his duties in Congress and do the
work needed of Il national chairman
in the two years before presidential
election. The national chairman will
have to travel Il great deal. as the
democrats lack organization every
where. Mr.. Hull will have a good
deal to do with the leadership of the
House. though he will probably not
be the titular chieftan.
Smith True to Form.
rerent elections. it is apparent that
AL Smith ran true to form in New
York state. He did cut down Gov.
Miller's majority upstate IS predict
ed and had to his advantage an i'm
majority in New York city.
with the result than any other factor.
Mr.. Smith was unusually well liked
and Mr.. Miller was not a popular type
at all, though his record was better
than the vote for him would seem
to indicate. 1t means that President
Harding alone pulled him through in
1920 and that the democrats have
taken sweet revenge by pulling
through a democratic senator on the
strength of Al Smiths landslide.
Maryland retired Senator France
and elected w. Cabell Bruce. as was
anticipated. New Jerseys senatorial
race proved as spirited as everybody
went to Edwards in the last few days.
In fact, the tremendous vote for Ed
wards in Hudson county was larger
than anybody believed possible. The
Hague machine voted it's people by
the thousands. men and women. and
the wet issue helped Edwards in that
county. which embraces Jersey City
and Hoboken.
It's too early to draw general in
ferences on prohibition, even though
the first returns show that in New
York, New Jersey. Maryland and
the vets helped the
democrats make their gains. Those
states have always been. damp. They
are merely registering their feelings
every chance they get. Mr. Lodges
close fight in Massa chusetts may have
been a surprise to many who didn't
observe the state in the last few days
Of the campaign, but the nervousness
o: the republican leaders showed
clearly that they had an intimation of
danger. Mr.. Lodge ran way behind
Gov. Cox, republican, and undoubtedly
the wet sentiment hurt the Massa-
chusetts senator.
Labor Was Big Fnctor.
Indiana may seem a puzzle because