The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-11-20
FRAMING
UP REAL BATTLE
Washington Newspaper Men Have
Already Wrecked Democratic
Party Through Strife.
BRYAN IS PICTURED
AS THE TROUBLE MAKER
But the Leaders Say Things Will
Move Along Smoothly, De-
- spite Predictions.
BY JOSEPH p. AMIN.

Now that the campaign in the Balkans
gives evidence OF subsiding. the war cor
respondents In Washington are busily
engaged framing up a real battle to
be staged I'm the Capitol. Hostilities are
scheduled to commence any time between
the middle OF December and April ID
The advance notices promise bloody.
costly production.
1t is not clearly indicated Just who will
be what when the lines of battle are
drawn, but 1t Is generally agreed, among
the war correspondents, that William
Jennings Bryan will be on one side
and that the naughty reactionaries, led
by Majority Leader Underwood, will &C.
cupy the center OF the opposing line.
Lately Speaker Clark has been placed
in the lead Of the right wing. Gov. Will
son, from present Indications. will &C.
cupy the unenviable role OF the innocent
hystander. or the dove of peace in
family brawl-all according to the war
correspondents.
In other words, the influences who
have least to hope from a harmonious
Democratic administration are least in
Clined to believe such a thing possible.
They can see no hope of restraining Mr..
Bryan from stepping into the center of
one or the other houses OF Congress with
and a cato nine-tails in the other, and
precipitating a free-for- row by at
tempting TO cOerce the Democratic party
into doing his bidding. Naturally. they
say, the Democratic party in Congress
will object TO such contumelious treat
ment-and there is your war all fixed.
Poor Mr.. Wilson," they weep. and
wink the other eye. What chance, in
deed, for harmony?
Leaders Optimistic.
Democratic leaders. however. are not
inclined to adopt quite so pessimistic
view OF the situation. Mr.. Bryan GER
tainly has not indicated an overwhelm-
ing desire to prcCipitate the conflict so
far, they say, and the so-Callcd Pro-
gressIve leaders OF the Democratic party
in Congress have not offered anything
intended to fan the smoldering fires
Of fartionalism.
The predicted fight against the rc-Clrc-
ton Of Champ Clark to the Speakership
nf tho House fell through with the an
nounccment by Representative Bob"
Henry that he would not he candidate
against the Missouri leader. Mr. Clark
himself has given no indication by word
or deed that he expects to be out OF sym
pathy with the new administration. and
Majority Leader Underwoods whole rec
ord in party life indicates that ii will
require more than ordinary pressure TO
place him in conflict with the head OF his
party, particularly since to a man of
Mr.. UnderwOOds political sagacity the
consequences to the party Of split be-
tween Congress and the White House
must take on a serious aspect.
Moreover say House Democrats, unless
Mr.. Bryan desires solely to feed his per-
sOnal animosity against Mr.. Underwood
or unless Messrs. Underwood and Clark
are DESTROYS OF wrecking the party 10
spite Mr. Bryan, the Senate is likely to
prove the principal point OF attack, and
the Senate, long since Injured to such
treatment. may be expected to accept it
without seriously jeOpardizing the party.
Republican Senators were blamed for
Republican iniquities long before a ma
tiOnal Democratic victory was in sight.
And II the forces Of reaction are TO COM
mand a strategic position in the Demo-
cratic Congress. it will be in the Senate.
where House leaders frankly admit they
expect to need the support of Progressive
Republicans 20 push through their tariff
legislation.
So, they say, II the White House and
the House stick together. the party will
be able TO present good record to the
two years hence. when the next
House is reelected and when the voters
will have their first opportunity to reg |
lister their approval or disapproval Of the |
PARTY.