The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-08-21
Republicans Are Preparing
for Successor to Joe
Cannon.
WALTER |. SMITH
WELL SUPPORTED
Iowan Favored By Many for High
est Honor In House of
Representatives.

As often as fresh opposition arises TO
the reelection OF Uncle joe Cannon
10 the Speakership Of the House. just
as often there is new speculation as TO
the most likely man TO succeed the vet
eran legislator as the presiding
officer OF the House
With the open rebellion OF Represen-
tstive Nicholas Longworth, and his
declaration that he cannot again sup
port Cannon for the Speazsrship, dis
cussion OF the possible identity Of the
next Speaker has been renewed in
Washington.
Just now the stock OF Judge Walter
7. Smith. OF Iowa. seems to be on a
rising market 1t is said that the Press
dent favors him as CannOn's success
sor. To have the support Of the Admin
istration would be a tremendous ad-
vantage in a party fight Of this char
acter. There is no definite announce
ment Of the Presidents attitude, and
there probably never VIII be. but it
would be an easy matter for the word
TO go our that the President wanted
Smith elected
Leaders Of Regulars.
Judge Smith has been a high priest
IN the camp OF the regulars He has
served faithfully upon Speaker Cannon's
Committee on Rules and IS as familiar
with the legislative details and orgaui-
zatiou practices as any man IN the
House This may qualify him for the
S2eake-ship from the standpoint Of a
reactionary, but Il may also disqualffy
him when he comes 10 obtaining the
support OF the proSressIves.
Judge Smiths greatest achievement
was in Iowa His defeat in the last pri-
mary or Attorney General Byers was
the most important thing he ever did
Byers had a splendid record as a State
oIhcer. He was personally popular and
a progressive from the word 20. With
al this. Judge Smith defeated Byers,
and VIII be returned 10 Congress for at
least one other term. Il was this signal
victory which most commands him TO
the President.
If Cannon should retire from the
race or be retired. and Il comes To a
snow down between the Middle West
ana the East over the election Of the
next speaker, the fight would prOba-
eiS narrow down TO Represen tative
SI2 -tl, or Iowa, and Views, or Mass
acAuSettS. Mr. Weeks is strongly
supported BY Senator w. Murray
crane, who IS probably the smooth
est and most effective politician in
either branch OF Congress.
Representative Mann or Illinois. CO.
author Of the railroad bili, viii be a
candidate without doubt There are
circumstances that may initiate
against him He is recognized as
very bic statesman. but at one time
or another he antagonized about
every member OF the House through
constantly obiecting TO their meas
Ures-
Payne improbable.
Chairman Serene Z Payne % the
ways and Means Committee. a very
important factor in the House or
EanfzatIon. is talked OF for the
Speakership. but he is physically IN
that account would probably refuse
TO allow his name to be presented
Marlin +. Clmstead Of PennsvI-
Vauia, has become a commanding nC-
ure in the House organization and
would have the united support OF the
pennsylvania delegation IN a Repub-
ICan caucus, but It Is hard 10 deter
mine Row much other strength he
could control Tbs same might be
said OF Represent ative J. SIoat Fas-
Sett Of New York His State delega-
tIon would no doubt vote for him.
Among the other names discussed
n connection with the SpeakershiD
are Chairman Tawney Of the ApprO-
CurTier Of New Hampshire, Asher G.
Hines, the House parliamentarian
and a candidate for Congress from
Maine, and Representative CTumpack-
er OF Indiana
All this Of course IS predicated up
on the assumption that the Repubii-
cans viii control the next House. Il
they lose IL to the Democrats Champ
Speaker Fe has some opposition in
his party. but not enough 10 control
a Democratic caucus