The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-11-13
Passing of Leader Necessi-
tates REIMBURSEMENT of
Majority Program.
DIED SUNDAY NIGHT
End Comes. for Famous Sena-
tor After He Had Made Brave
Fight Against Paralysis.


just as his party was preparing to
harvest the fruits of sweeping vic
tory at the polls, surrounds the ques-
ticn of leadership in the senate with
new and unusual considerations.
A veteran of the old guard, adam
nant against policies of the insurgents
on the one hand and unable to accept
some of the proposals of the Repub-
lican floor leader somewhat of an
anomaly.
Now that. the powerful equation of
his personal influence has been re-
moved from the problem, party chief
tains face the task of deciding what
new alignment can be effected to fill
the gap and make for party solidarity.
In the determination of this ques-
ton, President Coolidge undoubtedly
wilNhave an opportunity to WELD the
dominant power of party leadership
conferred on him by the election. If
he cares to give it, his advice will be
powerful factor in deciding whether
the old guard is to remain as the di-
recting force of the senate, or wheth-
er seniority is to be cast aside and
some new leader lifted from the ranks.
This question assumes still great
er significance when it is considered
that the new congress, which meets
next year will see substantial in
crease in Republican senate strength.
May Delay Organization.
In view of the changes to take place
as a result of the election and the
close balance in the present congress,
and permanent reorganization on the
Republican side may be delayed for
some months and a temporary leader
designated to act during the short
session.
Should it be a sweeping readjust-
ment of the senate situation, it is
probable that Senator Warren of Wyo-
ming or Senator Curtis of Kansas
will become floor leader. But if
there is to be new deal all around,
those to be considered probably will
include Wadsworth of New York, Mos
es of New Hampshire, Watson Of In
diana and Reed of Pennsylvania.
Senator Lodge is the third promi-
nent senate Republican to die within
recent weeks. AS a result the Repub-
lican party finds itself with a MEM
bership of only SO in the present
senate, one less than a majority, un-
less Governor Cox of Massachusetts
appoints a successor to the legisla-
ture before congress reassembles on
December /.
Two Vacancies to be Filled.
Although the vacancy caused by the
death of Senator Colt of Rhode Is
land was filled in Tuesdays election,
that resulting from the more recent
death of Senator Brandegee of Con-
necticut, will not be filled until De-
cember 16, in special election. AS
this is more than two weeks after the
time set for the converting of congress
the senate will meet without a full
membership.
In the face of that situation; with
but fifty Republican members, not all
of whom are classed as strict organ
ization men, the problem is expected
to develop difficulties which will re-
quire expert handling if the Repub
licans are to continue in the session
as the dominant party in the senate.
Under the rule of seniority Senator,
Borah of Idaho, ranking Republican
member, would succeed to the chair
manship of the foreign relations COM
mittee, which it is believed he would
accept, although it would mean his
surrender of the Craftsmanship of the
education and labor committee and
abandonment of any idea of assuming
the craftsmanship of the judiciary
committee, for which he is also in
line through the death of Senator
| Brandegee, under the practice which
restricts a senator to one major chair
manship.
No Rule for Leadership.
The procedure for selecting a par
| ty floor leader is not so clearly de-
| fined, the seniority rule not always be-
| ing followed. If it should be, the Sc
| lection in this case would fall on Sem
ator Warren of Wyoming, but if pro-
motion should be- resorted to, the
choice would fall on Senator Curtis of
Kansas, Republican whip and assist
ant floor leader.
| Some friends of Senator Warren are
of the opinion that he would not ac-
| cept the, leadership and predict that
Senator Curtis will be selected.
Senator Curtis has been active for
some time in the actual leadership in
the Republican forces, in the senate,
as have Senators Watson of Indiana,
Reed of Pennsylvania and others, due
to Senator Lodge having voluntarily
relinquished measure of actual con-
troll to them and devoted his attention
for the past year or two to the for
eign relations and naval affairs COM
mittees.
The lessening of activities by SEN
ator Lodge. was believed by his friends
to have been due primarily to advanc
| ing age. At the same time the result
of his campaign for reelection in
| 1922 was regarded as a factor in his
decision to relinquish to degree the
reins of actual senate leadership.
President in Tribute.
| In a formal statement the president
declared Mr.. Lodge had been zone of
the great men of our time"
Senator Lodge was prominent
figure in Massachusetts, before | knew
anything about the public affairs of
| that commonwealth" the president
said. "For long time he has been
our senior senator. He was the floor
| leader of the senate.
1 H..