Evening star., 1923-02-07
Politics at Large
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

In the interregnum between Con-
crosses which is expected to occur
from March until the first Mon
DAY In next December, the con-
stitutional assembling day OF a new
Congress, what kind of political pol
icies will be evolved by the master
minds OF the two great parties and
those who may be cherishing dreams
or a. possible third party? 1t is a
pertinent question. as there are only
four weeks Intervening until the hour
"nen the gavel of the presiding off,
GERS in House and Senate will tap the
death knell Of the Sixty-seventh Con-
gress. which will then go down into
history with it's achievements and
disappointments, and the recess will
be on.
Some one may interpose with the
suggestion that the country makes
political policies and not senator's and
representatives.. point subject to
limitations. At the present time the
great political leaders and manipula-
tors are in Congress, and others who
have influence upon state and local
politics are due to figure in the next
Con gress. This is especially true
with regard to the south, and indeed
may be said to be applicable to New
England. the middle west and the far
west. Their positions in the national
legislature constitutes them leaders
of political thought in their own sec
tions.
They are going to have the inter-
vening months in which not only to
sound the political sentiment in their
commemorative and communities. but
in large measure to initiate and in
vestigate it.
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In the south it cannot be denied
that such men as Senator Underwood
of Ala bama, Senator Harrison of Mis-
sissippi, Senator Simmons of North
Carolina, Senator Fletcher of Florida,
Senator Harris of Georgia, Repre-
sentative Garrett of Tennessee. Sem
ator Sheppard of Texas. Senator Rob
inson of Arkansas and other REPRE-
sentatives from the same states have
great influence in mOding public
opinion on political policies. what
are they going to advise their people
to stand for and stand by, or are
they going back to put their ears
to the ground and be guided by what
they hear?
Consider California, where Senator
Hiram johnson is little less than
political idol, man of force and
viriIity. What will he tell his con-
stituents?-and whatever ADVICE ne
gives will be listened to in other
states in the region. In Utah. what
will Senator Smoot say to the re-
publicans, and Senator King TO the
democrats? Coming eastward thefe
is commanding figure in pohtlcs
whose influence is felt among lhe
farmers of other states. Senator Cap
uer of Kansas In Nebraska ana
Iowa are two powerful political leao-
ers, Senator-elect Howell ana senator
Brookhart, who will be busy curing
the summer and fall months eXpound-
i,ia
ern states the new senator's lypilEihs
the radical movement will be busy
!: !: x <
In Illinois. the two conservative
leaders, Senators Mckinley and
Nediu Mccormick; in Michigan. the
aggressive Senator Couzens and the
democrat. Senator-elect Ferns; III
Iowa. Senator Watson. who Will rep
resent the regular and progressive
republicans. and his democratic col
league in the next Senate. Mr.. Ral
ston; in Ohio. Senator-elect fess anu
Senator Willis: in Pennsylvania, Sen
ators Pepper and Reed harasseu pS
Gov. Pinchot. the reformer; in Massa-
chusetts. Senator Lodge. who Just
came out unharmed from the shadoW
of the valley of defeat.
All these are men of weight IN the
politics of the nation. and the next
few months are to afford them great
opportunities for political leadership
and makers of political sentiment,
looking forward to the coming presl-
Dental and congressional contest
which all authorities agree is to be
epochal.
political haymaking?
= *
So far as democratic policies are
concerned. New York state seems to
be playing a lone hand. aloof from
participation Of congressional leaders
of eminence. In point of fact local
New York leaders appear to be bent
upon setting an example for natlonal
democratic leaders to emulate. Gov.
Alfred Z. Smith might justly be ac-
corded the credit of expounding policies
for the good of the party. as he
views 1t. without being charged with
personal motives in pushing his own
political ambitions. For. when 1t
must be acknowledged that his pros
pect of receiving the democratic
nomination for President of the
United States is qualified by religious
considerations. Aside from the ques-
tion of whether that condition is just
or not. the fact remains that it exists.
But there is no hobhle on his ac-
tivities in behalf of policies which he
and his party in New York deem
not only wise for the state and
country, but advantageous to the
prestige and glory of the democratic
party at large.
For the republicans of New York.
Senator Wadsworth is to be regarded
their representative in the councils of
the national party as well as their
leader in the state. He will set the
pace during the summer for the re-
publicans in the next great national
campaign. and when the Congress
convenes in December will also be
able to bring back To Washington
for information of his party CO.
workers the views of the rank and
file of the party in the Empire state.
In Pennsylvania. Gov. Pinchot. re-
publican. has set out upon an am
bilious program of reform in state ad
ministration and legislation, with a
recognized squint toward national
affairs. 1t is generally admitted that
he has embarked upon an uphill
task. Some politicians think he has
undertaken program which is too
ambitious for successful completion
in few months. At this time the
old line and machine republicans are
going along with him-rather reluc-
family in their hearts. it is feared,
though openly acquiescently.
But the old-line men are already, so
it is reported. beginning TO grumble
and to wonder how long it will be un-
til they have to part company with
him.
Another chapter was added to the