The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-15

BILL. UPHELD
BY WATSON
HOOSier Votes for Admission
of $4,000 Aliens in Ex.
cess of Quota.
ANOTHER SURPRISE, TOO
Jim Talks AmiabIy With Reed
of Missouri.
ANOTHER SURPRISE, TOO
Times Washinoton Rnrenn.

IoNG NBiO YORK Are1LuR
WASHINGTON, Dec. I5.@Tas
Senator Jim Watson Of Indiana brok.
en- with the Ku-Klux Klan, or
patched up his differences with Pres
ident Coolidge? These questions
We're discussed here today as the re-
suit of Watson's unexpected vote on
the Wadsworth amendment to an
immigration bill which will liberalize
the law by letting 35 900 alien WON.
en- and children under 1S years of
age enter the United States beyond
the present quota.
Politicians also discussed the posi-
ton Of Senator Arthur r. Robinson
OF Indiana. Robinson was absent on
account Of the death of his mother.
He had been paired with Senator
Bratton, but Bratton, in voting said:
Il understand that if Senator Rob-
inson were present he would vote as
l intend to vote. 1 vote nay"
The legislation has been opposed
by the Klan and other agencies
standing for restricted immigration.
But it has received strong admins.
tration backing.
Galleries Gasp
Yesterday Watsons vote enabled
the amendment to pass-the vote be.
ing 80 to 81. In the galleries gasps
of astonishment were heard as Wat.
son voted for the bill.
Every other Senator usually con-
sidered favorable to the Klan voted
against the measure. including Pine
Of oklahoma, Means of Colorado,
.Neely Of West Virginia and May.
field of Texas.
Senator Wadsworth made an elo-
quent plea for the measure, saying
the present law works hardship by
separating families. Senators Bruce
of Maryland, Bingham of Connecti-
cut and Walsh of Massachusetts
supported this plea.
In opposing the amendment, SEN
ator David Reed of Pennsylvania de-
clared it was the opening wedge in
a concerted drive to break down
our immigration law.
you can't just let in this S5, 900
and then turn a cold shoulder. This
is the first crack in our immigration
system" Reed declared.
Senator Heflin of Alabama also
spoke against the legislation.
Watson's vote on the immigration
measure was not the only surprise
he provided yesterday. He was seen
in chummy conference with Senator
James A. Reed Dem), Missouri,
whose investigation Of Indiana poll
tics showed Watson's alignment with
the Klan.
Washington also was buzzing to-
day because Senator Watson called
Frank l.. Smith, Republican Senator
elect Of Illinois, on the long distance
telephone to urge him to decline an
appointment by Governor Len Small
to fill the uneXpired term of the late
Senator William b. Mckinley.
Notice Served
Watson denied Smith had said he
would accept the appointment, but it
Senate Republicans he will accept,
despite their opposition.
Watson said he informed Smith
that If he came to Washington
during this session of Congress and
attempted to gain his seat in the
Senate, the entire session would be
disrupted and an extra session of
Congress might be forced.
Smith insisted, according to Wat
son, that his side of his primary
election case had never been pre-
scented; that newspapers had pub
lished only the attacks against him
and that no defense had been made
for him.
Watson and other Republican
leaders here are aroused over the
possibility that Smith intends to
force the seating issue this session.
1t is understood they have informed
Smith he would not receive the
same consideration now, even from
Republicans, as If he waited until
next session.
Republicans believe the Smith
fight would so hamper business that
President Coolidge would be COM
PEELED to call an extra session.