The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-11
NORRIS FLAYS
challenge BY
sen. WATSON
Little Jimmy of Indiana
Big Joke on Nation,
Says NebraSkan.
DERIDES IA QUESTIONS
Progressive Farley Head
Advises HooSier to GO
Play With Lucas

Play With Lucas
BIZ Times Special
WASHINGTON, March 11-"Let
Little Jimmy Watson gather up
his marbles and hunt up that boy
Lucas (Robert H. Lucas, executive
director Of the Republican national
committee), and together they
could have a fine time playing in
the backyard of the White House"
This was the reply to the pub
lie letter which Senator James E.
Watson had addressed to the
progressive group conference gath
cred here today.
1t was delivered by the veteran
liberal leader. Senator George w.
Norris (Rep., Neb), following his
address of welcome to the more
than 100 progressives in and out of
public life who are in attendance.
Once a Lobbyist
Emphasizing that Watson did not
appear to realize the progressive
conferees were mot pretending to
be political party and are not here
to organize a political party" Norris
said the questions propounded by
Watson would be better taken
home to his own political ma
chine"
"As you know" Norris continued,
mfr. Watson is senator from In
diana. He used to be a lobbyist
seeking favors for great corporations
at the hands of congress. 1 presume
his former masters are better
pleased with his work inside than
outside the congress.
"Sone of the finest people in the
country are in Indiana, but some
times they do comical things. They
certainly played a gigantic joke on
the country at large when they
elected Little Jimmy Watson to the
United States senate"
Brings Up Vexing Points
Watson, who is senate Republican
floor leader, wrote the letter to Nor
ris as chairman Of the conference,
demanding that the progressives
define clearly" their position on
fourteen points of political contro-
versy, including the prohibition is
sue.
The points outlined by Watson
included some of the most vexing
issues that have come before con-
gress and the administration fo1
several years past.
The points of controversy raised
by Watson included prohibition,
which the conference had planned
to ignore; recognition of Russia
government ownership and opera
ton of railroads; government
ownership and operation of cleo
trical power; congressional power of
veto over the court decisions: con-
stitutional amendment to take away
the Presidents veto power; reduc-
ton of tariff on farm products;
abolition of the farm board and
cessation Of the boards loans to
farmers; adoption of the dole
SYSTEM" embargo or tariff on oil
imports, and liberalization of the
immigration laws.
Electric power interests are seek
ing control of both major party
national conventions TO name presi-
Dental candidates of their view
point while a sham battle RACES over
a false ISSUE" Norris said, in his
keynote speech in opening the con-
ference.
Building Up Straw Man
Though he did not mention pro-
hibition, which was excluded as a
topic of discussion. many in the au-
dience, knowing his personal views,
assumed this was the false issue
to which he referred. Denouncing
control by large wealth, he said use
of money in elections. soon would
engraft the dollar sign on the ma
tional capitol.
'"ThiS combination" Norris said,
referring to the power industry
now is beginning its work, the pur-
pose of which is to control both OF
the great national party conven-
tons. Attempt is to fight the cam
paign on a false issue, about which
they care nothing, but being care
full that the candidates for Presi-
dent in each of the parties shall
have their viewpoint upon the real
issue, which, to the very best OF
their ability, they will keep in the
background.
"They will contribute to both sides
and, while the sham battle is going
on, they will celebrate in high glee
knowing that while in any case the
people will lose, yet they are sure
to win
Hoover disaster Engineer
If they win, as they have won in
the past, it will be because they are
able to incite in the minds of the
people partisan spirit, which will
grow in intensity until the interests
of the country are made second tc
the interests of the party"
Senator Blaine (Rep.. Wis.,, made
the first reference to President
Hoover, describing him as 'the great
engineer of disaster"
The conferees applauded and
laughed.
Blaine advocated the so-calleo
Norris Simmons tariff commission
proposal which TaS rejected during
discussion of The Hawley- Smoot
tariff bill last year
Chairman Raskob Of the Demo
cratic national committee, also
urged the Norris Simmons amend
ment in the Democratic committee
meeting here last week.