The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-29
Senators Hiram Johnson And Underwood, Presidential Nominee Candidates, Will Be Forced To Face Question
EFFORTS WERE MADE TO
 QUIETLY SETTLE ISSUE
Arrival Of Scott Woodward,
 Attorney For Texas Mans Opponent, Shows That This Method Has Now Failed
By RAYMOND CHAPTER Leased Wire To The Age-Herald]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-An epi- sode. which most senators are await ing with fear and trembling, Is about to be enacted here-the con test over the right of Earle B. May field to sit as senator from Texas. This contest will bring the dreaded issue of the Ku Klux Klan out into the light where politicians will have a difficulty in lodging 1t.
 Not since the reconstruction days has there been an issue so filled with uncertainties. For several years the klan has been gathering momentum. In each succeeding local and state the last elections it's power was de- cisive in many. many cases-not only In the south, but in the repub- lican states of the north.
 Now it comes up on the national stage, to play a conspicuous part in the political affairs of both parties between now and the next national election. It may wreck some presi- dential chances, for in the Senate are two declared andidates-Hiram Johnson, republican, and Oscar Un- derwood. democrat. There are other potential candidates-Ralston and Watson of Indiana and Copeland of New York.
 Can Not Dodge Issues.
 Senators have looked forward to this hour with uneasiness, for few of them see little hope of lodging the issue once it gets out on the be made to smother the whole busi- ness in the committee on privileges and elections.
 Senators on this committee are caught in serious predicament. Senator Watson, the most influen- tiai republican member, is in diffl- culty enough owing to the strength of the klan in his state. His po- litical aide was compelled to resign as chairman of the Indiana state committee when his membership was exposed. Senator Edge of New Jersey would like to be transferred from this committee to some other one to avoid the whole matter.
 There have been reports that in- fluences in both parties would get together and settle the Mayfield question without bringing the klan phase into the foreground. But hope of thus escaping the real point was Fort Worth, one of the attorneys for George Teddy, Mayfield's oppon- ent in the Texas election, arrived here Wednesday and announced that the part which the Kan played In electing Mayfield would be laid be- fore the Senate committee.
 Witnesses will be called to testify regarding the activities of the klan leaders In few days Teddy him- self will arrive, accompanied by the remainder of his legal staff includ- ing R. 5. Creager, republican ma tional com mitteeman from Texas. Creager will be White House guest. He has spent several months gather ing evidence and preparing the case for submission to the Senate.
 O O O
 Woodward To Force showdown"
 Woodwards statement left no doubt that the opponents of May field and the klan are going to force showdown.
 Just before adjournment. the pe- ttion against Mayfield was filed with the Senate. It charged that Mayneld was nominated and elected by a conspiracy which included mem bers of the klan; that he spent more than s150, 900 in the primary, in which expenditures are limited by law to s100o0 and that thousands of votes for Teddy were not counted.
 The petition asks that Mayfield be denied his seat. This puts the ques- ton squarely up to the Senate. which is the solfe udge of the qualifications of members of that body.