The Indianapolis times., 1931-12-31
G. 0. P. HEADS
WILL FALL BY
WATSON ORDER
Ivan Morgan to DiSpIace
Eliza Rogers as State
Chairman.
THURMAN WON'T QUIT
National Committeeman Is
Firm in His Refusal to
Resign.
THURMAN WON'T QUIT
BIZ BEN STERN

Republican district chairman and
vice-chairmen assembled at the
SEVERN today TO do the puppet act
while Senator James e. Watson
pulls the strings.
The program outlined by the
senior senator, acting as master of
marionetteS, calls for a complete
change of officials of the state COM
mittee.
1t originally included the replac-
Ing of M. Bert Thurman as nation
al committeeman by George AZ Ball,
Muncie manufacturer, but Uncle
Bert" must have asbestos feet.
His feet we're held to the fire for
forty-eight hours, but Thurman re-
fused to resign, it is declared, and
inasmuch as he was not chosen by
the state committee, but by the
delegates to the national conven-
ton, no change can be made unless
he resigns.
Want More Action
For publication, it was declared
that the reason for today's shake
up is that a more active organiza-
ton will be needed for next years
campaign, and Eliza o. Rogers of
Lebanon, incumbent state chair
man. has not been able to devote
much time to the work.
The real answer will be found in
the deficit of the state organization,
exceeding $4,000, and the need for
ample funds next fall for a strenu-
GUS campaign.
The scheduled changes to be made
today, at Watson's orders, are as
follows:
Election of Ivan Morgan of Aus
tin, wealthy canner and Third dis
trict chairman, to succeed Rogers
as state chairman.
Change Vice Chairman
Election of Mrs. Beryl Holland of
Bloomington, member of the state
board Of education, as state vice.
chairman, succeeding Miss Mary
Sleeth of Rushville, who has an
nounced for the nomination for
state treasurer.
Naming of Ernest M. Morris,
South Bend banker, to succeed Irv-
ing Lemaux, Indianapolis banker,
as treasurer of the deficit.
An indication that the thought
of the deficit is making it difficult
to obtain a treasurer was received
today, when Morris, at South Bend,
declared he would not accept the
position. Senator Watson immed-
lately telephoned him and attempt
ed to persuade the banker to ac-
cept.
The entire affair was up in the
air when the committee met this
afternoon, and it was understood
that, if Morris persisted in his re-
fusal, the post will be left open
until an eligible person is found.
Harry Fenton is to be retained as
secretary.
Thurman Stands Firm
Orders for the changes were
made by Senator Watson immed-
1dlCly QPOll dAAANAAA6 4ACAC AoSO ASo
day. He conferred with Rogers and
Thurman, then called the proposed
successors on the telephone.
1t frankly was explained to the
ipcumbents that funds were needed,
and from all indication they could
not lift the debt and provide more
money.
The astute officials were glad to
get from under the load. But lit
tie pressure was needed to obtain
their designations, but stone wall
was hit in Thurman.
His excuse for resigning, it was
suggested, could be that he is about
to announce as a candidate for the
nomination of Governor, so he will
be unable to attend to the duties
of committeeman.
But the very fact that he is to
be a candidate for Governor is
precisely why Thurman refused to
resign. There is much more pres
tige and advantage in entering from
the national committee than as a
plain citizen.