The Indianapolis times., 1932-06-14
WATSON LOSES
BITTER BATTLE
TO MARSHALL
Lafayette Publisher Given
Berth on Platform
Committee.
THIRD BLOW IS AIMED
Senator, Twice Beaten,
Now Faces Chairman
Fight for Goodrich.
BY BEN STERN


strike has been called on Senator
James E. Watson, with the election
of Henry Marshall, Lafayette pub
Usher and dripping wet leader, to
represent Indiana on the Republic
an national convention platform
committee. And the men who have
been practicing pitching for many
years were preparing today to toss
the third one over the plate.
Strike three, it is hoped, will be
the election of Ex-Governor James
E. Goodrich as chairman of the ma
tional committee. This action is
prompted not by a love for Good
rich, it is explained carefully, but
because they want to get even with
Watson.
Not that there is any great danger
Of putting over Goodrich, but the
senator's enemies here know that
such talk will irk him.
The first one called on Watson
was last week, when he sent his
three R" plank on prohibition to
the state committee. This called for
revision, referendum, or resubmis-
sion.
Smother Watson Idea
Marshall, who was chairman of
the platform committee and still
Smarting from the sting of the 1923
convention, when Watson halted his
boom for national committeeman,
tossed the proposal aside and in
serted his own plank, which would
have congress call for state conven-
tionS to decide on repeal solely.
This put Watson in a dangerous
spot in this years campaign, and
to avoid similar plank in the ma
tional platform, he tried to head
off Marshall.
Despite Watsons demand that
Marshall be refused the resolutions
committee post and the call be
given William l.. HutcheSon of In
dianapoliS, national president of the
Carpenters and JoinerS' union, the
delegates elected the Lafayette pub
Usher without a dissenting vote or
the proposal of any other name.
Then it was learned that Watson
this afternoon cried quits" when
his managers tried to put the heat
on him over the telephone.
Stirs Hornets Nest
He learned that his proposal of
Hutcheson had stirred a hornets
nest and all his ancient and new
enemies, including Walter j. Riley.
East Chicago banker, who is a dele
gate here, and M. Bert Thurman
at indianapolis, former national
committeeman and contender last
week for the Governor nomination.
got in touch with the delegation
members and begged for Marshall
support.
By 4 p. m. Monday Watsons man
ayers here knew that it was all over.
and conference was held at which
were present George A. Ball, national
committeeman; Miss Dorothy Cum
ningham, committeewoman, and
Will H. Hays, motion picture car,
and it was decided to put Marshall
on the slate.
The entire program went over
without hitch at the Monday
night caucus, although a difficult
time was experienced in sitting on
F. Harold Van Orman of Evans
vile, 1928-1929 Lieutenant-G Cover
nor, who had announced he would
ask the delegation to instruct Mar
shall to fight for adoption of the In
diana plank written into the state
platform last week.
Riley and Marshall pointed out to
Van Orman that to open discussion
on the subject of instruction would
give the lukewarmS on the delega-
ton opportunity to urge adoption of
mild plank.
Marshall assured him that he
would strive to have the Indiana re-
peal plank adopted, and Van Or
man asserted he would fight a
straddling pronouncement on the
floor Of the convention.
Appointments Are Made
The entire slate of appointments
was approved, following the ,Ineni-
nous reelection of Ball and Miss
Cunningham to the national COM
mittee.
Hutcheson was named honorary
vice-president of the convention:
Harry G. Leslie, although absent
chairman Of the delegation; Mrs.
Grace Banta Reynolds, Cambridge
City, former state treasurer, creden-
tials committee; Hays, rules COM
mittee; Marshall, resolutions COM
mittee; A. E. Beardsley of Elkhart.
permanent organization committee.
and A. NJ. Smith of Charlottesville.
delegation secretary.
Norman E. Perry, indianapolis
capitalist, was elected to the com
mittee to notify Herbert Roover and
Riley the committee to notify the
Vice-President.
Hays and Lawrence B. Davis of
indianapolis praised the appoint
ment Of Marshall, and the former
said it was a natural"
Hays announced that he would be
host to the Indiana delegation at
dinner tonight. He suggested an
Indiana dinner be held, and when
several Of the delegates ickingly
suggested that he give the party