The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-12-21
National Topics Interpreted

FtetCueT sive Republican, has
Will Stick sought out the front
pages of newspapers
again with demand for reorganiza-
ton Of the Republican party. He
called for the resignation of Henry
p. Fletcher as chairman of the
Republican national committee and
was promptly met with a digni-
fled declaration from the chairman that
he had no intention of resigning and,
further, that he intended to see what
could be done with the present carcass
of the elephant that was trod upon so
badly in the last two elections.
That declaration would appear to
have been enough to stop the Idaho
senator temporarily, but it failed and
he was back again on the front page
with another press statement to the
general effect that the present leader
ship in the Republican party would
amount to little more than huge joke
unless there were reorganization, re-
suscitation or reincarnation or some
thing else. 1t seems, however, that the
second blast by Senator Borah was
more than an ordinary dose because 1t
aroused Senator James Couzens of
Michigan, another Individual who en-
joys labelling himself as progressive
Republican. The Michigan senator
fired back at Senator Borah chal-
lenge that the Idaho senator write
something equivalent to new pro-
foy hn rfr
tor Couzens said he was not at all
convinced that Senator Borah could
point the way for revivification of the
elephants carcass and gave every indi-
cation, according to the view taken
here, that he believed the one success
full course for the party lay in offering
a constructive program rather than
constant criticism Of the New Deal
without offering substitute for it.
While Mr.. Borah's demand for Mr..
Fletcher's resignation caused some
comment 1t did not stir the waters like
Mr.. Fletcher's reply. The chairman
promptly showed fight. He said that
to step out at this time would plunge
the party organization into confusion"
He pointed out that there is machinery
by which changes can be accomplished
in the party organization through the
calling Of special meeting of the ma
tional committee. This can be done on
petition of sixteen members from six
teen different states and Mr.. Fletcher
suggested to Mr.. Borah that If leader
ship changes were desired, the way
was open to him.
1t was in respect of this suggestion
that Senator Couzens took a crack at
Borah had real plans, Mr.. Fletcher
should resign and the Craftsmanship
should be offered to Mr. Borah so that
his constructive ideas could be carried
out.
Charles D. Hilles and Mark L. Requa,
Republican national committeeman
from New York and California re-
spectively, also had their ire bestirred
by Senator Borah while the row be-
tween Borah and Fletcher was pro-
ceeding. Neither OF these men took
much stock in the Borah proposal be-
cause they never have viewed things
as the Idaho senator sees them.
The controversy between the several
outstanding individuals over what to
do or not to do
says Forty about the Repub-
Can Come Back lican party is con-
sidered by many
political writer's in Washington and
by many political leaders as being lit
tie more than flash in the pan and
unlikely to lead to solution of the prob
lem faced by the party which went
down to such ignominious defeat in two
successive elections 1t has been Chair
man Fletcher's contention that despite
the licking the party took, it can come
back and be as strong force in Amer
lean politics as it ever has been, but
he limited that nothing could be done
until the party organization and rank
and file Of the voters get over the
shock. This was the condition which
confronted the Democratic party after
the defeat Of James M. Cox, the Demo-
cratic candidate in 1920, and it was
paralleled in 1928 when President
Hoover defeated Alfred e. Smith of
New York. Yet the fact remains the
Democratic party came back and is
now in absolute control of the govern
ment machinery. Astute observers
here generally, believe, hold the view
that some changes may be necessary in
party policies. This view possibly was
expressed better by Representative
Fish, a New York Republican. than
by anyone else when he said that it
was apparent there should be an at
tempt made ito nberalize and to hui
manize" Republican party policies.
The problem confronting the party
therefore. Is looked upon as requiring
something more than front page criti-
cism. Indeed, hear many expressions
to the effect that period of quiet con-
sideration by party leaders may do
more to develop a constructive pro-
gram than all of the bushwhacking and