The gold leaf., 1911-01-26
VOL. xxx.
MIR. POU'S STATEMENT.
Tells OF His Retirement From the
Ways and Means Committee and
His Reasons Therefor-The Declara-
ton a Patriotic One.

AIOu TdAfIOkt( OhC-
BY Thomas J. Pence-Special to News and
Observer.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 16.-Repre-
sentative POu, in statement issued
todav. tells of his retirement from
the Ways and Means Committee OF
the House and his reasons therefor.
1t is q patriotic declaration and will
be perused with interest. Mr.. Pou's
statement follows:
"BefOre the holiday recess and be-
fore there was any suggestion OF OPP
position to the Democratic members
OF the WAYS and Means Committee.
who voted against free lumber, 1t
was agreed between Mr.. Clark and
myself that | would probably 90 off
the Ways and Means Committee if he
gave me certain assignments which
he had in view and which were very
much preferred by me. The sngges-
tiOn that | ought to 90 off the com
mttee in that event came from me.
When it was announced that no man
who voted az did could remain on
the committee | thought we might as
we'll fight out the difference. / know
that this announcement did not re
ceive the approval of Mr.. Clark or
Mr.. Underwood, and | know also
that Mr.. Clark would have insisted
on my remaining on the committee
il the fight along this line had been
kept up and | had an idea that his
wishes would have been respected.
at is now understood perfectly
that there is to be no discrimination
against any one on account Of any
vote heretofore cast, and it is also
understood that as far as possible all
differences are to be held in allegiance
during the SiXty-secOnd Congress.
So far as | am concerned | cannot see
that anything is left to fight for, and
| think it would be puerile for me to
continue to fight for a place | had
already voluntarily agreed to give
up and to decline to accept assign
ments which my friends knew | very
much prefer because some report sent
out from Washington has said |
could not again be elected on the
Ways and Means committee. | shall
accept the places which MT. Clark and
Mr. Underwood ask me to accept. !
have made no campaign for any posi-
ton, have not solicited support from
my colleagues and have only written
two letters about committee assign
ments in response to letters written
by colleagues about me.
From the day came to Washing
ton before Congress met, have done
what ! could absolutely regardless OF
any personal ambition to help settle
in n proper and honorable manner
all differences which were calculated
to divide the Democrats of the House
believe both Mr. Clark and Mr. I'm
dcrwOod will very cheerfully indOrse
this statement. The prospects fO1
Democratic victory in 1912 are SO
bright that ! would feel like a crimi
nal if had pursued any other course
! would gladly serve on the Commit
tee on Ventilation and Acoustics, i
by SO doing | can help elect Demo
cratic President in 1912.
The tentative argument reached
is entirely agreeable to me. | cOulC
not be better satisfied even il | haC
made a fight from u selfish stand
point think the country will SEE
the Democrats of the next HOus'
more united, if possible, under tht
leadership Of Mr. Clark and Mr.. Tn
drrwOOd than we have been before
North Carolina will have representa-
tion on u larger number of the great
committees which formulate and con
troll legislation than ever before.
shall very gladly support Mr.. kitchiI
in the caucus for II place on the Wayt
and Means committee. His service:
deserve the very highest recognition
IF had done what is best to pro
mote the success of our party with
ont surrendering one iota Of th
principles in which believe, if ! have
done what is best TOR the interest 0
my colleagues from North Carolina
if the result shall enable me to shOv
my gratitude to some of those wht
for years have so Loyalty supporte,
me, it would seem that | have som
reason to be content"
Hon. Champ Clark read Mr.. POu'
statement before it was given to th
press and said: Every word of TIL
statement respecting what too
place between him and me is the e1
act truth. His course from the bt
ginning is deserving of the very higl
est c0mmendation."