The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-27
NORRIS Halls
ROOSEVELT AS
liberal HOPE
New Yorker May Be Man
to Win Support of
ProgreSSlVeS.
OLD GUARD IS WORRIED
Watson and Other Leaders
Alarmed Over HOOver'S
Stand on Lucas.

BIZ Scripps-Hocdrd Newspaper AIigncs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-Declin-
ing to head the new political party
proposed by John Dewey, Senator
George w. Norris of Nebraska, to-
day named Governor Franklin d.
Roosevelt of New York as a Demo-
cratic presidential prospect who
might command sufficient strength
among western progressives to de-
feat President Hoover in 1882.
Norris said he assumed that
Hoover would be renominated, and
expressed fear that the moneyed
interests, led by the power trust
would throw their influence behind
owen D. Young in the Democratic
camp.
Such alsituation, the senator said.
would permit the electorate no real
choice on the "all-important issue
of power, and further increase the
power interests influence at the
capital.
When asked if he saw any Demo-
ratio figure who might appeal to
western progressives and Republic
ans, Norris named Roosevelt. De-
spite the latter's anti-prohibition
views, the Nebraskan took the no
Sltlon that power, rather than pro-
hloltlon, will be the most important
problem in the 1892 presidential
contest.
Third Party Not Practical
Norris conceded the need of a
third party, and based his refusal
to start one solely on practical
grounds.
There IS no real difference be-
tween the two old parties, so far
as 1 can see" he said. But it would
require a political revolution for a.
third party to attain success"
Insurgent and regular Republic
| cans found Norris decision unsur-
prising. Majority Leader Watson
intimated he had no expectation
Norris would lead third party
movement. Senator Brookhart
Rep, la and other insurgent Re-
publicans said new party move
ments could not be created by a
small group of leaders, but had to
develop among the masses of the
people.
Meanwhile, Norris proposed a far
reaching reform which virtually
would wipe out the need for such
political mechanism as now exists,
or would have to be set up by any
new organization
He advanced as constitutional
amendment proposal that would
abolish the electoral college pro-
vision, and permit any individual
to become a candidate for the presi-
dency simply by having his name
placed on the ballot.
Hoover Back of Lucas
That would permit new party
to come into being almost over
night" he said 1T would serve as
such distinct threat to the two
major parties that the weapon
might never have to be brought into
play"
The White House is standing
squarely back of Executive Director
Robert H. Lucas of the Republican
national committee in his quarrel
with Norris, but the entire affair is
causing President Hoover much
concern.
Already worried about the split
within the Republican party and
doubt for victory in 1882, the Presi-
81 n I.
cas- activities have made bad mat
ter worse.
That Lucas, in secretly seeking to
defeat Senator Norris, was not act
ing on his own initiative is taken
for granted in informed political
circles. The impression prevails
that he indirectly was rejecting the
views Of President Hoover, who
feels very bitter toward Norris be-
cause Of his bolt in 1923 and also
because Of his consistent opposition
to Hoover's economic views.
Old Guard Alarmed
Because of this, the President
probably will not Immediately heed
the appeals of the progressive group
Of senators that Lucas should be
forced TO resign
The ramifications Of the Lucas at
tack OF Norris are causing much
concern to Republican senatorial
leaders Most Of the old guard
share the views of Senator Norris
that third party can not be
launched successfully, but they
know that voters can desert Repub-
lican candidates as they did last
Nov. 4.
1t is the view Of the Watson
Moses-F ess group that voters shall
be attracted back to the Republican
party and not driven away. They
have their own city, county. con-
gressional district, and state organ
izations in mind.
Their view is that if Lucas has to
go, he should go. even though it
may appear that he is being sacri-
frad