New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-07-26
old GUARD HURRIES
TO REPAIR BREAK
Leaders Confer in Washington on
G. 0. P. Losses

Washington, July 26.-The republic
can "od Guard" fully appreciative
of the gravity of the political situa-
ton, so far as the party and the
Harding administration are concerned,
is going to lose no time In its efforts
to mend the breach.
The first of series of conferences
in which the plight of the party is to
be considered and a remedy for the
ailment sought was held in the offices
of the republican national committee
yesterday afternoon following the
arrival of Senator Watson of Indiana,
who. in the event OF the retirement
of Senator Lodge, will probably be
the republican leader In the new sem
at. At the conference 1t Is under
stood that Senator Watson minced no
words in his report of conditions In
the west. The victory of the Farmer
Labor party in Minnesota, the legis-
lative problems of the next congress
and the anticipated activities of the
La Toilette group are believed to have
been the subject of considerable
part Of the conference.
From what is heard on Capitol Hill,
Hiram johnson is not, for the present
at least, causing the Old Guard any
worry. The sleepless nights are due
to La Toilette, Brookhart and the
other insurgents who have virtually
left the party as now constituted and
led.
Senator La Toilette Arrives
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin,
who gave all the aid he could to the
Farmer-La borities in Minnesota and
is as happy over the result as COL
lege boy on graduation day, arrived
in Washington about the same time
as Senator Watson. The Wisconsin
senator was not ready to talk at this
time. Later he will have something
to say regarding what is scheduled to
happen in the new congress, in which
the Radical Progressive bloc, of which
he is the head, will have the balance
of power in both the senate and the
house.
Still another arrival was Senator
McKellar of Tennessee. who has been
in the west. The Tennessean, who
was all smiles, declared that the out
look for democratic victory was never
brighter. The prospects in 1911, he
added, were not SO bright as are those
In 1923.
Senator Watson, following his con-
ference In the offices of the national
where he talked over the
situation with Chairman John T.
George Lockwood of the COM
mite and others, said that the repub-
lean party was not defeated yet, and
asserted his belief that the skies
would clear before the election next
year. What the party needed, he
added, was more of the old time
nship.
Would Keep Congress Home Years.
Asked as to the probability of an
extra session of congress, Senator
Watson made 1t plain that he would
oppose any such plan. The country
would be better off, he remarked, If
stayed adjourned for three
'ears and all the state legislatures for
our years. When somebody men
Toned Magnus Johnson the senator
efused to discuss the catastrophe that
has overtaken the party In Mime
Iota.
"All would be WELL" Senator Wat
ION said in subdued voice, III we
lad dollar and a half wheat and II
lollar hogs"
In answer to an inquiry regarding
he freight rate problem, Senator
who Is a member OF the SEN
tie committee on interstate COM
nerce. Expressed the opinion that the
ate situation was not as bad as some
insisted 1t was. It would always be
impossible. he said. for potato grow
RS In Idaho to get the crop to the