Evening star., 1923-04-22
MOVE TO END RIFT
IN INDIANA G. 0. P.
Gov. McCray Looks for Sue.
cessor to Lyons as Head
j of Party in State.
Snerlsl Dispatc to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
INIANAPOLIS, Ind, April 21.-Gov.
Warren T McCray has assumed
the role of mediator to bring about
q cancellation between the republican
faction swearing allegiance to POST
master General Harry S. New ana
Senator James f. Watson. The gov
ernor's immediate objective Is to ma
"a successor to Lawrence Il. Lyons
republican state chairman. whose
spectacular "in and out" experience
with the Ku Klux Klan makes i'm
nerative his resignation from the
rhairmanship. who will be acceptable
to both wings of the party.
In assuming this role Gov. McCray
has taken unto himself most her
"ulean task. but his first steps nave
been crowned with success. He lounu
in conference with Mr.. New TINS
week that the Postmaster Genera is
in hearty accord with his ambition
to eliminate factionalism within the
republican ranks.
Must Line Up Watson.
The next and possibly the greatest
concern Of the governor. however is
to win the sanction of Senator Wat
son. GOV. McCray had expected TO
meet Senator Watson this week, but
the senator's visit TO Indiana has
been delayed until the last Of the
month and manifestly nothing can be
done toward reor2anizing the com
mittee until Watson's views are
learned
Senator Watson's course relative 10
SI,1 IL. ,;,-,,, hi, of N
70 the republican leaders. and al
though few believe he could upset an
agreement, if one is reached, between
Postmaster General New and Gov
McCray, they all admit he could stir
up an ugly mess If he is so minded
by no means is q master political
strateeist. is approaching the show
down with some fears and misgivings
First Time in Role.
1t is the first time Governor McCray
has essayed the role of political
leader, and inasmuoh as the situation
may ohliGe him to use diCtatorial
methods, he is somewhat concerned
over the prospect. Those close to the
governor, however. describe him as
determined to go through with his
program. and indications now are that
he will be successful in bringing Mr.
New ard Watson into an agreement
on Mr.. Lyons successor
The Watson men are loath TO give
up control OF the state committee
which they took over a year ago
through the help of Governor McCray.
Mr.. Lyons was the Watson choice for
chairman, but il was not until the
governor brought pressure to bear on
some of the district committeeman that
his election was assured. 1t was this
procedure that gave rise to the term
Watson -McCray" combination. which
has proved so embarrassing a times
to the governor.
Brenk Impending.
or late the governor has evinced a
determination to break away from
the Watson camp and his conference
with Mr.. New justified the belief held
by some that If a new combination
is formed it will be between Governor
McGray and the friends of Mr.. New,
rather than continuation of the
Watson-McCray machine. Friends
close to both the postmaster general
and the governor, however, assert
that no agreement was reached for a
political deal nor was there any in
clination to do SO.
Although Postmaster General New
came to Indiana apoiis primarily to ad-
dress a convention of postmasters and
postal employees. he was besieged
from the time he arrived until he left
by political leaders, workers, and job
seekers. 1t was an opportunity not
overlooked by the aspirant for a post
office to see the big chief"
This revived rumors that the post
master general, and not Senator Wat
son. intends to be the king bee" in
dispensing federal patronage in In
diana. Scores of persons sought au-
dience with Mr.. New, and he held a
sort Of open court in the lobby of
the Columbia Club, a republican or
ganizatfon, refusing to retire to the
privacy of room, which was
rendered him.