The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-25
C. 0. P. RANKS
ARE SPLIT BY
NORRIS CASE
Will Wood Denies Hoover Is
Back of Attack on
NebraSkan.
LUCAS DEFENDS STAND
Committee Chief Hastens to
Assert That Borah Is
Not Target.
BY LYLE c. WILSON
United Press stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Repub-
lican intra- party strife projected it.
self into Christmas day with a
denial that President Hoover had
supported Executive Director Lucas
of the Republican national commit
tee in his attempt to GUST Senator
George w. Norris from Republican
ranks.
The denial came from Representa-
tive Will r. Wood of Indiana. chair
man of the Republican congress
sional committee. whose description
Of Norris as a "demagog" was in
terpreted by some as Mr.. Hoover's
views, because it was given immedi-
ately after Wood had called upon
the President.
Il made the statement solely on
my own responsibility" Wood said,
in statement issued through the
Republican national committee. ct
did not bear on discussions I had
with the President, or any other
matter in connection with ii"
Quarrel With Norris Alone
Wood renewed his attack upon
Norris. Stating that the Nebraska
senator claims to be a Republican
only for the brief time necessary to
obtain senate privileges as chair
man of committees and thereafter
again joins the Democrats"
Wood, like Lucas, insisted his
quarrel was with Norris alone.
Lucas acted quickly, to explain
his fire was directed against Norris
alone, in statement issued from
national committee headquarters
today. Lucas said the basis of his
opposition to Norris was the latter's
failure to support President Hoover
in the 1923 election.
81 wish to say again." Lucas said.
"that neither the President nor any
one in the White House ever had
any knowledge or was consulted
about my action in connection with
Senator Norris. What 1 did was
solely and emphatically upon my
own responsibility and 1 was APP
pointed by and am solely respon-
sible to the Republican national
committee"
Norris Statement AsSailed
The executive director described
as malicious" Norris assertion that
Mr.. Hoover was responsible for
Lucas anti-Norris campaign in Ne
braska.
Il also notice" Lucas continued,
Senator Borah's statement. (Borah
had said he presumed the regular
Republican attack on Norris was di-
rected at the Progressive Republican
group in generaD. There is the
greatest distinction in the world
between Senator Borah and Sen
ator Norris, Senator Borah has sup
ported Republican nominees for
President ably and consistently:
Norris has opposed them. And this
is exactly the basis of my opposition
to Senator Norris. l have no quar-
rel with any member of the Repub-
lican party, progressive or otherwise.
who supports presidential candi-
dates"
The United Press was informed
from an authoritative quarter that
on the Norris issue the Republican
national committee would back
Lucas to the limit.
Brookhart Demands Removal
Other insurgent Republicans. how
ever, refused to accept Lucas ex-
PLANTATION and reiterated that there
was Republican opposition this year
to other insurgents. Senators Ho-
well and Brookhart today renewed
the drive for Lucas removal.
Lucas should be fired" Brook
hart said. He should not be al
lowed to resign. He has not drop
of Republican blood in his veins. He
Is a Wall Streeter and, like any
other Wall Streeter, should not be
on the committee"
Howell said Lucas conduct mot
only had terminated his usefulness.
but makes him such a liability to
the committee and to President
Hoover that he should be removed
Immediately by resignation or dis
misSal"