Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-01
DAUCHERTY LEADS
WAR ON COOLIDGE:
IN RANKS Of c. D. ?.
Former Attorney General to
Head Revolt Against Presi-
dent = Democratic Com
mittee Pleased
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service 20 The JoUrnal.)
lCOpvri ght. 1924.

Copyright, 1924
WASHINGTON, March 29.-War
is on between former Attorney Cen
eral Harry Daugherty and President
Coolidge. What it will bring in the
way of political effects, what dam
age it will do inside the Republican
party what influence it will have on
the effort Of congress to say who
shall ana who shah not be a mem
Der of the executives cabinet, it
may be too early to foretell with
exactness, but the retirement of the
attorney general has not been at
tended with much satisfaction for
anybody.
The Democratic national commit
tee is gratified that Mr.. Daugherty
is out of the cabinet, upon any pre-
text whatever" but accuses the
president of belated action. Mr..
Daugherty himself thanks the presi-
dent for the statement that "he does
not question my fairness or integri-
ton as "unwise and untimely."
Mr.. Daugherty's influence within
the Republican party is not incon-
siderable. He may lead a revolt
against Mr.. Coolidge on the serious
charge-not uncommon in politics
that the man from Massachusetts
doesn't stick by the regulars in his
party. Such a movement might, on
ments, but it might, on the other
hand, win to MIR. Coolidge's side IN
dependent voters who want him TO
break the letters of party.
Lowden May Lead Opposition
There have been rumors for some
time that opposition to the nomlna-
ton of Mr.. Coolidge might be led
bv former Governor Franz o. Low
den, of Illinois. Some of Mr.. DauSh-
erty's friends insist the former at
torney general will have good deal
to say about the way the Ohio del
egation votes in the next national
convention. These may be empty
threats, voiced at the moment, be-
cause feeling runs high. But Harry
Daugherty is a factor to be reck-
oned with in party politics, and he
for many weeks to come as he makes
his defense against what he believes
to be an warranted attack by the
senate investigating committee.
His friends on capitol hill will en-
deayor for the party's sake TO help
his cause. If he succeeds In making
a. good impression and explaining the
MANY innuendoes which nave oeen
broadcast from the senate lnVestlgat-
ing committee he will strengthen the
opinion of those in the Repuollcan
party who feel today that secretary
DENLY also should not have been al
lowed to retire without full hearing
and that Democratic snlplng shoulu
not sweep Republican leaders OIL
their feet.
AS usual with important decisions,
the president has been between two
fires. He promised in his recent
speech that no man would be sacrl-
feed to clamor and he insists now
that he is not prejudicing the issues
which have arisen in connection with
Mr.. Daugherty's fitness for the port
folio Of department of justice. But the
president nevertheless. came to the
conclusion that the investigation IS
too much of an embarrassment ana
that Mr.. Daugherty could not defend
himself against attacks from the
senate and conduct his office.
The thing which really weakened
Mr.. Daugherty's position was the
widely spread understanding that
he would retire soon irrespective OF
the outcome of the investigation. The
morale of the department of justice
is affected when it becomes known
that the man at the top is likely to
be leaving office any day. The
president was apprised Of this situa-
ton. He acted because the problems
were getting more and more compll-
Gated for him.
Judge Kenyon Likely
AS for a successor. several names
are under consideration. One OF
these is Judge William S. Kenyon,
of Iowa He resigned from the Unit
ed States senate to go on the feder-
al bench. He likes the judiciary but
that being the case he must like to
go to the very top. And there is u.s.
ually more chance of promotion to
the supreme court of the United
States direct from the department.
of justice than from the district
bench.
Mr.. Kenyon was the head of the
farm bloc when in the senate. The
west has confidence in him-and it
is in the west Mr.. Coolidge needs
strength. Furthermore, Judge Ken
yon was assistant attorney general
in the Taft administration and has
thorough familiarity with the af-
fairs of the department. He was of
fered the secretaryship of the navy
but declined because he didn't think
he was fit for the portfolio. The
fact that Mr., Coolidge wanted him
in the cabinet is significant.
Since that time Judge Wilbur, of
California, who it was thought would
be attorney general. has accepted e
navy portfolio which enables the
president to offer the job of attorney
general to Judge Kenyon. He seems
the most likely choice at the moment.