The Washington times., 1913-04-21
CLARK REFERS TO
HIS NEAR VICTORY
Speaker, in New Congressional
Directory, Hints He Should
Have Had Nomination.

Into the biography of Speaker Champ
Clark. of Missouri there crept today
two lines which indicate the abiding
belief Of the Missourian that he was
entitled to the nomination at Baltimore.
and the world is told in the new Con-
gressional Directory that Speaker Clark
led in the convention on many ballots.
In this same directory viii appear the
sketch of Woodrow Wilson, present oc.
crpant Of the White House, who may
turn over a few pages and read that
Speaker Clark had clear majority
over all candidates on nine ballots.
When the new directories are issued
every two years, interest centers gener-
ally in the self-written sketches Of the
new members, who take the public into
their confidence as to their own great
ness. The directory for the new Con-
gress, however, reveals its chief human
interest story in the biography of an
old member, Mr.. Clark.
Clark Recalls Baltimore.
Speaker Clark evidently does not IN
tend that the public shall forget that
he led for many ballots in the Baltimore
convention, and that under the rules
of the Democratic game of politics he
should have been the nominee of the
party now headed by Woodrow Wilson.
Therefore. in the directory, he spreads
upon the record these words:
Led in the Baltimore Democratic ma
tional convention of 1912 for the Presi-
dental nomination on twenty-nine bal
lots, receiving a clear majority on
nine.''
In the past, Democratic candidates
who received a clear majority have
been nominated. The two-thirds rule
was strictly invoked at Baltimore, how
ever; Bryan swung Nebraska from the
Clark standard, and Woodrow Wilson
is in the White House.
Except for these few words telling
indirectly of the great disappointment
Of a Democratic Presidential candidate.
the aew directory is largely book of
entertaining euiogies of members writ
ten or authorized by those members.
The crop of biographies is particularly
diverting this year, because there are
l5o new members in the House and
quite few strange faces in the Senate.
Lindbergh's Is Shortest.
Congressman Lafferty OF Oregon takes
fifty-seven lines to explain his fight
against privilege in that State, and the
record of his ancestors. Mr.. Lafferty
also furnishes the public and his col
leagues with the names OF various mem
bers of his family. He furthermore ex-
plains that his full name Is Abraham
Walter Lafferty. but he has always
been called Walter, and signs his name
A. w. Lafferty.''
The autobiography of Mr.. Lafferty
of Senator vardaman and Dupont and
Congressman Ezekiel Gambler.
Mr.. Gambler. who is s liner" lists
the many fraternal and secret societies
delves into family history by giving the
names and present addresses of his
children Various members. II Is noted,
include the names of relations in their
sketches, thus distributing the glory
Congressman Lindbergh of Minnesota
has the shortest sketch in the Direc-
tory. Mr.. Lindberg says:
Charles Lindbergh, Republican. Of
Among the members requiring less
than two lines to tell their life story
are Cougressmen Donovan of Connect
cut. Clark of Florida, McAndrews of IL
linois. PenDer of Iowa. Hamilton and
smith OF Michigan. Tim" sullivan of
New York. Whiteacre Of Ohio. Rags
dale Of South Carolina, and Buchanan
OF Texas.
Alfalfa BilI'' Murray, the pictur-
esque member from Oklahoma, tells
how he ran away from home at the age
Of twelve years. Since then, II appears,
he has done everything from punching
cattle to editing a newspaper and prac-
ticing law.
Offfce seems to have been thrust upon
Mr.. Clancy, of New York, He modestly
declares that he has heretofore refused
to run for any office and that when he
became q candidate for this Congress
he did not expect to get elected and
made no campaign" Nevertheless. Mr..
Clancy is here.
Congressman Bowdle Of Ohio. who
beat Congressman Mick Longworth.
acknowledges that he has lectured on
revealed religion and philosophy gener-
ally" Congressman Norm of Pennsyl-
varia- narrates that he is an ''all-round
athlete" 4
Senator vardaman devotes much of
his sketch to explaining his fight
against the opposition ring" in Missis-
sippi and he takes a final whack at
Senator Percy, whom he succeeds.
Percy. he says, was the secret caucus
choice"
Advance proofs Of the new directory
we're given out last night. and Il is
noted that "autobiographies are based
on informa ton furnished or authorized
by the respective Senators and Con-
gressmen." The book, on the whole. Is