The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-16
D|EKEMA WANTS
 CANNON'S PLACE Michigan Congressman Is An
 Active Candidate HE IS NOT AN INSURGENI Mr. Diekema Says That the Next speakership Should Go to the West and He Believes He
 Can Hold Down the Job.
IE IS NOT AN INSURGENI I

Washington, January 15.--Represen- tative G. J. Diekema of Michigan today formally announced his candidacy for the speakership of the House to sue ceed Uncle Joe" Cannon at the end of the present session. Speaker Cannon has made it clear that he has no inten- tion of resigning before the end of his present term. His position is that any man has right to be candidate for the speakership, and what the next Congress would do could not be fore told at this time. He has already an nounced he would be candidate for reelection for Congress, but has never declared that he would again be a can didate for the speakership. Besides MT. Diekema a number of names as possi- ble speakers have been mentioned, in cluding Walter l. Smith of Iowa, a member of the rules committee; Martin k. Olmstead of Pennsylvania, chairman of the insular affairs committed, and James R. Mann of Illinois. chairman of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce.
 MT. Diekema does not believe that MT. Cannon will again be a candidate for the speakership. T am regular, not an insurgent," said MT. Diekema. "No man could ever give me whiter treatment than Speaker Cannon has given. and I think he is the fairest presiding office ever saw in chair.
 "I believe the next speakership" said he, will go to the middle west, and not to any man who has long service in Con gress and has had close utilization with the men who have dominated Congress. It does not seem possible on the other hand that the speakership will go to any of the present insurgents"
 MT. Dieqemas announcement was brought out by a direct question put to him as to whether he would support Speaker Cannon for reelection. His reply was that he could not do so be- cause he was going to be candidate himself. He is member of the judi ciary committee and the committee on election of President, Vice President and representatives In Congress. He has been called by MT. Cannon to pre- side over the House temporarily three times, and has served two terms Tn Congress. He was speaker of the Mich igan house of representatives, boasting the distinction of never having an ap- peal from his ruling on any parliamen- tary question during the six months term. He has been chairman of the Michigan state central committee for ten years, and has become acquainted with many present leaders in other states. M
 Following his announcement MT. Diekema had a conference with Speaker Cannon.
 T am not a candidate for the speakership,'' said MT. Mann. T am for Uncle Joe first. last and always I regard him as the very best man for that office. He has been the fairest man on the floor and the ablest of able men in presiding as an officer" ? Hes overlooking the fact that the next House of Representatives will be democratic and that the democrats will oh oose the speaker was Minority Leader Champ Clark's comment on MT. Diekema's announcement As to the opposition that other probable cantli- dates might encounter, 1t was suggested that MT. Mann's activity on the floor, his vote to recommit the tariff bill, and his personal independence in the other party measures might figure in the event he sought the speakership; that MT. Olmstead comes from an ultra high tariff state; and that Judge Smith has troubles in his own state that preclude him.