New Britain herald., 1930-12-26
REPUBLICANS FACE
 TH|RDPARTY PLAN
Threat Of Break in Ranks Before
 All Members

Washington. Dec. 26 (UP) - Stand-pat and insurgent republt- cans were being drawn today into an intra-party battle which could lead to formation Of q third party if the present rate of cleavage were until the nominating conventions in 1892. But neither combatant indicated any desire to carry the fight 10 such an end,
 The stand-pat element emphatic ally denied any purpose except eN- puIsion of Senator George W. Norris. Ncb., from the republican party. h. ,lIreentS replied that the effort 10 defeat Norris this year in Nebraska was duplicated. perhaps on a small er scale, against senator McMaster in South Dakota and Senator Schall in Minnesota.
 Under these circumstances the is sue Of drastic or lenient federal control of hydro-clectric power is- sues has been aggravated by the new power commissions discharge of Solicitor Charles r. Russell and Chief Accountant William V. King.
 When Norris bolted the Hoover Curtis ticket 10 support Governor Alfred F. Smith in 1928, he stated repeatedly that h. acted because of NIr. Hoover's position against gov rrrmcnt power operation. Discharge or Russell and klng who opposed power company efforts 10 obtain more lenient treatment was cited by democrats and progressive r"publi- cans as rrtlccting Mr Hooycr's theories on federal control.
 Norris Would Be Head
 The power issue and the effort Of Robert H. Lucas. executive director Of the republican national commit tee. to defeat Norris in Nebraska combined to make the veteran pro- grcssjve the leader ot any third par ty movement ii one should come.
 Bur capital opinion questioned the likelihood Of the party sQuanble going 10 such drastic conclusions. EocuIar republicans in inc senate with 1cw exceptions disagreed with Lucas on the 4dvisa3iliry ot making a -,crer fight on Norris. Some ol them believe Lucas Was mistaken tC have oppos,d Norris at all after he had obtained the regular republican nomination in his state.
 Personal IS we'll Us political fac -ors combined 10 form these opln' ions. The regular republicans possess .n-miftae cnaIrmauships and Nalu- aIl. patronage here. They ar" loath' to ion any movement to drive Nor ITS or the progry-siyos generally from the party, When congress 1f,..r- again next December the par. ,v aligunent will be close. Withou i Norris vola tho republicans mlSh not U.. abl~ 10 organize and thos' coveted positions would fall 10 dem oerar- tor th" first 'lme in many years.
 Reason for RetiCcncc
 Tha- somewhat explained Wh, Majority Leader Watson said th' fight on Norris was a matter 10 President Hoover and the nauona committee 10 handle. Watson sal h. would keep hands off.
 The committee cuHirmansap fac tor also influenced lho progressiv' insurgents. T. they submitted 10 be ing read out of the party thc' would lose three important chair manships rther to more regular re puulicaus or to democrats The com mirees aro l0diciarN foreign rria lions. headed by Senator Borah. an. public lands, headed by Senato Ny.
 "Wo-ld Eou join with th" demo crats 10 vote rhe regulars out 0 senate con,rol2f Borah Was asked. T would moi" h. r'pliod T wi not permit Lucas or anyone else : . determiuc where l am going. Wh can raad anyone out ot q party