New Britain herald., 1930-12-22
LUCAS DEFENDS
 WAR ON NORRIS
Asks His "Eradication" in Re- publication Committee Statement

Washington. Dec. 22 LP - Pres ldent Hoover and the republican na- tonal command had squarely before them today challenge to "eradi- cate" Senator Norris, of Nebraska, from the party.
 Ropeft II. Lucas, executive direc- tor of the republican national con- mlttec, brought forth the issue in 4 statement issued yesterday through ihc national committee in defending ms acknowledged financing of campaign against Senator Norris last election in favor of the demo- cratic candidate.
 Followers of Senator Norris among independents in the senate republican fold have called on the republican national committee to oust Lucas. They are preparing to trace further the republican opposi- tlon 10 Norris in the last campaign.
 Fess Stays Neutral
 The issue is drawn for one of the most involved republican battles slnce the split of the party in 1912. Chairman Fess of the national con- nilttee, has declared a hands off pol Icy in the row but Senator Howell or Nebraska, has called for election Of Lucas.
 Here is the Lucas stand:
 To accept office at the hands of this party and then viciously oppose its policies, principles and leader ship brings an intolerable situation and one which must be eradicated If the party is to live.
 Such conduct by Senator Norris has been revolting and until the leaders of the republican party not only fail to support but give their active opposition to men like Sena- tor Norris, they are not doing their full duty to the party which has come down to us from Lincoln.''
 Assumes Responsibility
 This boldly worded declaration stands today under the official heading of republican national committee" Lucas assumed fill re- sponsibility for the statement issued on the national committees title.
 Norris won renomination as a re- publican in the Nebraska primary last summer and defeated Gilbert M. Hitchcock, the democratic nom- inee. in the election. He has aligned himself with the republicans in con- gress on organization during his 27 years service. His vote is necessary to give republicans control of the
 
 Herbert Hoover and for Alfred E. Smith in 1928, but no effort was made by the senate republican lead ership to take away his place in the party organization which gives him the chairmanship of the judiciary committee.
 Denies Klan Acted
 In his reply to the severe con- dernnation heaped upon him by Senators Norris and Howell in the senate on Saturday, Lucas yesterday denied that he had sponsored the circulation of "scurrilous" literature against Norris. He denied also that the Ku klux Klan had anything to do with the literature.
 The facts are these" said the Lucas statement, T contributed to 1he anti-Norris republican oreaniza- ton Of Nebraska three pieces of literature. One pamphlet composed of editorial comment from a num- Der of newspapers throughout the country, showing Senator Norris op position to the republican party and 10 President Hoover. Another was cartoon portrayng Senator Norris insncerity on the prohibition ques- tion. And the third a reproduction of 8 letter which called on democrats of Nebraska to support Senator Nor ris in return for his support of Gov ernor Alfred E. Smith in 1928"
 Calls it ''Damnable' Senator Howell told the senate that some Of the literature was "damnable" and he said the anti Norris forces in Nebraska refused 1 to use it. Lucas denied that the lit | erature he sent to Nebraska was calculated to appeal to religious prejudice.
 A dozen republican senators have 1. voted with Senators Norris and | Borah of Idaho, in their opposition . to the Hoover farm relief and tariff ! policies during the last session. The | group included Senators Nye and | Frazier of North Dakota: LaFollette | and Blaine, of Wisconsin: Norbeck | and McMaster of South Dakota; cut | ting of New Mexico; Brookhart of | Iowa. Pine of Oklahoma, and Schall l