The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-08
DEMOCRATS VIE w TAX AS WEDGE T0. REPUBLICAN, SPLIT
Watson Challenges Progress Sives to Unite With Dem
 OCratS in Contest
WASHINGTON BUREAU, THE AGE-HERALD Washington, D. C., April :

Washington, D. C.. April
 Senator James E. Watson of IT, diana, returning to Washington after discussing politics with President Harding in the south, announces posi- lively that the administration wing of the republican party in Congress will fight the progressive republicans in their announced determination tc revise the existing scheme of taxa tion. The statement of Senator Wat son is construed here as an accep- ministration forces in Congress of the challenge of Representatives, Nelson and Frear of Wisconsin and Senator LaFtllette of the same state. The progresSiVes, since the defiance of Watson have displayed no inclina tion to abandon the field. On the contrary, they have indicated that they would carry the battle into the territory of their "enemy"
 In so doing they willendeavor. it is plainly indicated today, to checkmate the republican leadership in it's pro- posed reorganization of committees. It may result in the launching of stiff opposition to the reelection of Speaker Gillett and Senator Lodge to
 
 O O o
 Check It in Senate.
 Senator Watson, apparently speak ing with authority Certainly after having consulted with the PresidenO, declared that if the progressiyes as result cf their amalgamation with democrats, are able to put legislation amending the tax laws through the House. the administration forces would check it in the Senate, even if it should be necessary to hold it up in the finance committee.
 This gave Senator LaFollette, it is understood, ythe opening that he de- sired. It is believed today that as result Of the statement of Watson, the Wisconsin senator is convinced that the personnel of thea finance committee must he radically changed. There has always been opposition to the election of Senator Reed Shoot of Utah to the chairmanship of this committee. position for the acquisi- tion of which he is in line. The sec ond ranking republican is La Toilette himselfS It is regarded as probable that LaFellette would go so far as to throw his strength to democrats to the end that the new Congress might be organized hy an. entente cordiale oppL sed to the< e<"reactionary" repub- licans. but it is regarded as possible that he would do so eff encouraged by democrats) should he fail to se- cure concessions as results of bluffs and threats.
 LnFoIIette's, Position.
 It has already been pointed out that LaFo llette will occupy such a strategic position in the new Con- gress that if he plays his cards well he will he it's most powerful factor. The Wisconsin delegation in the House, which he controls. could ex- ert the balance of vower between democrats and republicans. In addi- tion. the Wisconsin delegation is strengthened by 40 other prcgressives openly baking at plans of the re actionaries."
 In the Senate republicans will have an advantage over democrats by 10 men. but when it is recalled that practically 10 of the republicans will not move at the command of consti- tuted republican leaders, the repub- lican advantage is no more stable thah mist.
 It was thought in the beginning that the administration forces would cajole and ccnciliate, and by playing smoother politics, eliminate progress sives and secure what legislation they desire. The indication now, how ever. is that the administration will fight over every inch of the ground, and for the chaotic situation which will probably result. hold recall citrants responsible and appeal tC the people for the elimination of re- calcitrants.
 Would Produce <Cohfiict.
 Such an attitude on the part of the administration forces would produce a conflict out of which no positive ac- tiCn would be possible. The new Congress would be another do noth- ing" Congress. But the administra ton would have prevented a change in the tax laws and the so-called "big business of the country does not want any material change.
 In the presidential campaign, Ire actionaries" would point to the fail ure of Congress as an illustration of the incapacity of radicals" and rad icals" would have new reasons to ask for the elimination of "standpatters" so that the tax burden might be taken off. the backs of the poor and placed on the backs of the rich.
 Democratic political diagnosticians have concluded that if the fight be- tween republicans in Congress is in itiated. it will continue with increas- ng intensity, and that nothng could brng about solidarity in the subse- quent campaign. Quite frankly, they predict split in some form in repub- lican ranks, and the subsequent cleo tion of democratic President.