Evening star., 1924-11-10
PASSING OF LODGE
BRINGS NEW ERA
Much of Senate Leadership
Likely to Go to Members
From Western States.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The hand of fate which gave VIC
tory to the Republican party at the
poIls last Tuesday has suddenly I'M
nrinted itself on the situation in the
United States Senate as 1t aHects
leaders and committee chalrmen'
something hardly less important
than anything which happened In
tbe election of a new Congress last
week.
The death of Senator Lodge means
no mere passing of veteran Seha-
tor. Nor does 1t signify simply 1ne
addition of younger Senator 10 the
administration group from New Ehs
land. 1t marks the ending or one
epoch and the beginning OF announcer
In the history of the Repuphcah
party. 1t may carry a significance
far into the future for no man more
surely affected the foreign policy OF
the United States since the war than
did Henry Cabot Lodge.
Around the Massachusetts Senator
were grouped the 'lrreconcillaoles'
At first he was not of them openly,
but at heart his sympathles Were
with the Senators who not onlS
wanted America kept out or the
League Of Nations, but also the world
court created by it. 1t is no secret
that Mr.. Lodges stand on foreign
policies brought about in recent
months some sharp expressions OF
disapproval among the intimate
friends OF Calvin Coolidge, VINO
thought Massachusetts Senator
should stick with MASSACHUSETTS
President. In voting to override the
Presidents veto on the soldier bonus
and in siding with the opposition on
the question of Japanese exclusion
the Lodge personality was not sway
ed bv anything except his own deep
seated convictions.
Courageous Partisan.
Whatever else opponents may say
about Henry Cabot Lodge in polltlcs'
he was a stanch partisan and cour-
ageous one. He took many a thrust
from friendly quarters with smile
He had a remarkable self-conhdence'
and while in advancing years he re-
yealed a stubbornness that impaired
his value as leader, he was never
theless the most respected man on
the Republican side of the Senate.
The departure of Senator Lodge
the man who raised his voice IN the
historic debates during the spanish
American war, who was the frlend
and supporter of Mckinley, Iatt'
Roosevelt and Harding-seems like
the closing of an old era in national
ing things, and against the Senators
who came from the West elected by
direct primaries the whip of leader
ship was not effective.
Something new has yet to be de-
vised to bring about solidarity or
party in the Senate. The successor
of Senator Lodge undoubtedly will be
Senator Curtis of Kansas. He is a
loyal supporter of the administration
%~v-
time for the vice presidency at the
last Cleveland convention. There is
talk of Senator Fcss of Ohio and SEN
ator Wadsworth of New York. Either
would be satisfactory to the Presi-
dent but the fight of the Republican
party is in the West, and a leader
must understand the West to keep
party harmony.
Borah to Succeed Lodge.
AS for the committee chairman
ships, Senator Borah will succeed
Senator Lodge. At first glance this
may seem to spell trouble for the
administration. The Idaho Senator
has been opposed to many administra-
tion policies, including that on Rus
sia. but on foreign policy. too, the
Republican party and the administra-
tion needs not an ohstructionist, but
an aggressive leader. Senator Rorah
is a practical person and a daring
personality. He is flexible and the
administration Will get more done
with Borah's co-opera tion than with
his opposition.
Senator Borah is the ranking mem
ber of the judiciary committee, but
as between that and foreign relations
he is more likely to choose the lat
ter. Senator Hiram Johnson of Cali
succeed
as chairman of the immigration COM
nittee and Senator CumminS prob
ably Will go back to the chairman
ship of the committee on interstate
commerce after March when his
duties as presiding officer of the
Senate are ended and Charles G.
Dawes becomes Vice President
When Senator Borah becomes chair
man Of the Senate foreign relations
committee he leaves as his successor
In the judiciary committee. Senator
George w. Norris of Nebraska This
gives the Western Progressives an
other committee chairmanship, but
so far as vital legislation is con-
cerned the only important shake ups
are those which affect the Senate
committee on interstate commerce
and the foreign relations committee
Senator Smoot. loyal administration
supporter. zremains in charge of the
hnance committee and Senator War
rem of Wyoming at the head OF ap-
preparations.
There's a great chance for a new
leadership In the Senate. While Mr.
Curtis has outstanding qualities; it
Is doubtful whether the opportunity
VIII come for an individual to domi-
nate as in the old days. but a leader
even on a steering committee can
accomplish things and Curtis of
Kansas VIII have a real opportunity
Copyright 1924