The Washington times., 1909-11-27
Of CANNON
OPENS BITTER WAR
Battle for Control of Middle
West Is Now
On.
BY J. c. WELLIvER.

West. between the two factions Of the
Republican party. is on.
Speake' Cannon's speech at Kansas
City, I'm which he first disclaimed pur-
pose to read the Republican midwest
en insurgents out of the party, later
extended to them vigorous invitation
to get out, and finally wound up by
declaring they would have to be fought
just as Bryan must be fought, is ac-
ceDted as the definite taking up Of the
gage of battle.
The situation brought about, in view
of the Kansas City speech. may fairly
be described as sensational Insurgent
leaders who are in the city insist they
cannot be quoted on a situation of such
character, at this time. Il do not in
tend TO carry on this discussion through
interviews" said Senator Cummins, rec
OgniZed leader Of the middle Western
progressives and pet aversion Of Speak
the proper way, / shall have something
TO say; but 1t is not possible 70 make
statement that would do Justice TO the
situation i's an interview"
The Senator proceeded to make clear
ne stands just where he has heretofore
announced that he stood He Will. in
his home state Of Iowa, make the fight
for the nomination of progressive Re
publiCans for Congress in every district,
the coming year. He and his support
erc are getting ready to make that fight
IN deadly earnest; but the Senator has
NO purr2se other than to support the
mon who may be nominated; so long as
they are Republicans.
That the same contest vii be made
throughout the whole West, is the eX-
ppctation and the understanding Of all
the progressive leaders. They charac-
teriZe the Cannon speech of last night
as the boldest and more open pro-
nOunCement OF a rule or ruin policy
that has yet come from him. But the
frnFf Of frrsas - off sa
characterized by one of the liberal fac
ton today when he said:
"Of course, the Speaker cannot either
drive people out Of the Republican
vitation to get out. They are going to
stay i'm TO fight for control of Il. They
believe the country is with them, and
they are going TO give Il a chance to
make its choice between The two views
oC proper public policy, ass represented
in the record and program OF Cannon.
and on the other hand in the record and
program of theinsurgents
The immediate effect on the legisla-
tive program Of the coming session of
Congress, Of having this fight precipi-
tated IN such form, Is the subject of
some difference of opinion. Some pub
llo men venture today the opinion that
the Cannon speeches, apparently de
signed 10 embitter both sides of the
factienal line, will have the effect Of
putting end &c all hope of legislative
T.
cli1ed to the other view. suggesting the
possibility that Speaker Cannon and the
other representatives of his type Of
thought in both House and Senate. arr
just now SedulOusly endeavoring to in
terpose the President between them
selves and the wrath Of the people in
the line of that effort. they may ind IL
the part of good policy to assist in
getting fair consideration for the Pres
idents program.
The insurgent Republicans are receiv-
ing the Cannon denuuctatiOus with
rreat philosophy They don't credit the !
Speaker with a measure OF influence in
the West that can give his statements
any important weight in the determina-
ton of public opinion. When the
Speaker invaded Iowa and delivered a
home district Of the latter, the war was
started so Tar as that State was con-
Cerned; and the answer 20 Cannon came
in the declaration Of Senator CumminS
that he should make every effort for the
nomination Of prOgrcssives for Congress
In all the Iowa districts next year
Much significance is attached TO the
fact that few Western Republicans. or
for that matter Republicans Of any
other geographic description. are echo
ing the extreme statements O6 the
Speaker. 1t is pointed out that he aD-
parentiy has few followers Who. in view
"i their interest In continue tiOn Of pub
lie service seem TO possess the courage
to follow him in his insistonce that the
4
Will force a great element out OF the /
party. Indeed, the Kansas CITY speecr |
is characterized as so violent that IL - |
likely 10 have the effect of crystallizing /
an Increasing demand that the Speaker /
Uc "unlo3ded.' with an explanation that I
he and his program constitute a burden 1
too heavy for the party to hope TO carry
TO a victory next wear.
one most amazing development OF 1
the recent discussion is the belief ia 1
some quarters which are commonly |
supposed 20 be I'm touch with Admins
tration sentiment, that IL is going 20 I
be necessary for the Administration /
presently TO give up hope of the /
middle West, and TO turn to the South /
in the hope Of recOuping with gains I
from the Democracy there. the losses /
in the West TIE prOgressives are un- |
able TO believe that such q thing can I
policy. They point out that any pro-
gram which would cost the PeoubIf |
can party the middle West would l
surely lose il also the heretofore 1
doubtful States. and bring utter ne /
feat.
They are determined. in any event |
their own course shall not be such as
10 invite or TO make possible such /
conclusion OF the internecine contest i'm /
the party. II is their firm belief that /
the West can only be kept safely and /
certainly I'm line through the dominance I
Of the progressive view. that De- animal
ing their prepa atoms for struggle to |
hold the party go that view.
j