Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-04-22


Senator Simeon D. Fess, of Ohio, one OF
the most active supporters Of President
Coolidge for the Republican nomination
for another term as president, has joined
the "0ld Guard" Republicans who are op-
posing further investigation into election
corruption by the Senate investigating
committee headed by Senator Reed. Demo-
crat, of Missouri.
When Senator Golf, Of West Virginia.
ope Of the regular" Republican members
of the investigating committee resigned
therefrom because Of a prospective trip
abroad. Vice-President Dawes appointed
Senator Fess 10 the vacancy. In so doing,
Vice President Dawes held that the Senate
was continuing body and that the Reed
committee had full authority to continue
Its probe. despite failure Of the resolution
specifically continuing the committee. be-
cause of an "0ld Guard" flibuster at the
close Of the last session Of Congress. Mr.
Dawes held that under recent decision
by the Supreme Court. there could be no
doubt Of the Reed committees authority.
Accordingly he named Senator Fess to the
vacancy.
Senator Fess now aliens himself with
Senator Reed of Pennsylvania, Moses Of
New Hampshire and Phipps of Colorado,
the "0ld Guard" Senators who filibustered
against the Reed committee resolution.
One OF Senator Tess objections to the reso-
luton was that il did not limit the inves-
tieation to Illinois and Pennsylvania
where disclosures have already been made.
The "0ld Guard leaders wished to prevent
any investigation in any other State, par
ticularly Colorado. the home State Of
Senator Phipps, chairman Of the Republi-
can Senatorial Committee, regarding which
there have been ugly rumors Of election
crookedness which the Senate Committee
expects to investigate sooner or later.
They were Willing for the Reed Committee
to continue to function il its investigations
were limited to the two States in which
rottenness has already been barred. but
opposed any and every effort to extend
the inquiry into States where additional
disclosures might be made that would EN-
barrass the Republican party.
Senator Fess' stand contributes that
much toward making honesty in elections
an issue between the Republican and
Democratic parties. with "Old Guard" Re-
publican leaders seizing upon every posi-
BILE technically to delay or prevent the
Senate special committee bringing to light
the debauchery and corruption by which
seats in the Senate have been purchased
for Republican candida ties. Furthermore
the issue may make trouble between Re-
publican factions themselves. Vice-Presi-
dent Dawes, who is prospective candidate
for the Republican nomination. by his
decision that the committee has ample
authority TO continue its probe. and Sena-
tor Curtis, Of Kansas. who urged Senator
Fess to accept the committee appointment
and aid in the probe. have placed them
selves at odds with Reed of Pennsylvania
Phipps. Moses. Tess and the other "Old
Guard" Republicans. while Senator Norris
Independent Republican from Nebraska
has come out in a statement scathingly
denouncing the Republican filibuster which
prevented passage Of the Reed resolution
Senator Norris called the filibuster by
Moses, Phipps and others disgrace" and
Legislative crime"
President Coolidge failed to lift finger
or raise his voice against the diseracefu
filibuster, although a single word from him
would have ended il and assured an hon.
est probe without interference and would
have made possible enactment Of the i'm
portant legislation on the Senate calendar
tied up and ultimately defeated by the
methods of "0ld Guard" leaders. Hi,
failure to act. and the position taken BY
the close political friends of his in tn,
Senate, who opposed the investie cation
place share Of the responsibility on hi,
shoulders. aside from the responsibility h,
bears as his party's leader. In return 70
his silence on this vital issue, il is ex
pected that the Ware machine in Penn
sylvania will throw that delegation in tn
next Republican convention to Presiden
Coolidge for denomination.