Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-11-13
SENATOR L.Ql1GEI: S
DEATH AN Epoch
IN c. D. ?. HISTORY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Especial Leased Wire 10 Tie journal --CoL.-
right, 192t.)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE
hand of fate which gave the Repub-
lean party at the polls last Tuesday
printed itself on the situation in
the United States senate as it af-
fects leaders and committee chair
men, something hardly less i'm.
portant than anything which hap
pened in the election of a new con-
gress last week.
The death OF Senator Lodge means
no mere passing of a veteran sena-
tor. Nor does it signify simply the
addition of a younger senator to the
administration group from New Eng
land 1t marks the ending OF one
epoch and the beginning of another
in the history of the Republican
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, sena-
tor were grouped the 'irreconcil.
ables" At first he was not of them
openly but at heart his sympathies
were with the senators who not only
wanted America kept out of the
League of Nations, but also the
world court created by it. 1t is no
secret that Mr.. Lodges contrariness
on foreign policies brought about in
recent months some sharp express
sions of disapproval among the in
innate friends Of Calvin Coolidge
who thought a Massachusetts sena-
tor should stick with d Massachu-
sets president In voting to over
dier bonus and in siding with the
opposition on the question of Japa-
nese exclusion, the Lodge person
atty was not swayed by anything
except his own depeaseated convic-
lions.
Courageous Partisan
Whatever else opponents may say
about Henry Cabot Lodge in politics,
he was a staunch partisan and
courageous one. He took many
thrust from friendly quarters with
q smile. He had remarkable self
confidence and while in ADVANCING
years he revealed a stubbornness
that impaired his value as a leader,
he was, nevertheless, the most re-
spected 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 friend
and supporter of Mckinley, Taft,
Roosevelt and Harding, seems like
the closing of an old era in national
affairs. His was the old way Of do
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-
v1sed to bring about solidarity of
party in the senate The successor
OF Senator Lodge undoubtedly will be
Senator Curtis, of Kansas He is a
loyal supporter Of the administra
ton, and was faVorably considered
for a time for the vice presidency at
the last Cleveland convention. There
is talk of Senator Tess, of Ohio, and
Senator Wadsworth, of New York.
Either would be satisfactory to the
president, but the fight of the Re
publican party is in the west, and a
leader must understand the west to
keep party harmony.
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 admins
tratlon policies, including that on
Russia, but on foreign policy, too,
the Republican party and the admin
lstration needs not an obstructionist,
but an aggressive leader. Senator
Borah is a practical person, and a
daring personality. He is flexible,
and the administration will get more
done with Borah's cooperation than
with his opposition.
Opportunity for Curtis
Senator Borah is the ranking
member of the judiciary committee.
but as between that and foreign re-
lations he is more likely to choose
the latter. Senator Hiram johnson.
of California, will succeed Senator
Sterling as chairman of the immiera-
ton committee and Senator Cummins
probably. will go back to the chair
manship of the committee on utter
state commerce after March 4, when
his duties as presiding officer of the
senate are ended and Charles G..
Dawes becomes vice president.
When Senator Borah becomes
chairman of the senate foreign rela-
tons committee he leaves as his sue
cessor in the judiciary committee
Senator George w. Norris, of Ne
braska. This gives the western pro-
gressives another committee chair
but SO far as vital 1egisla-
ton is concerned, the only important
Shake-up are those which affect the
senate committee on interstate COM
merce and the foreign relations COM
mittee.
Senator Smoot, loyal administra-
tlon supporter, remains in charge of
the finance committee, and Senator
Warren, of Wyoming, at the head of
appropriations.
There's great chance for a new
leadership in the senate. While Mr..
Curtis has outstanding qualities. it
is doubtful whether the opportunity
Will come for an individual to domi-
nate as in the old days, but a leader
even on q steering committee can
accomplish things, and Curtis, of
Kansas, will have a real opportunity.