The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-25
Congressional Rows Stir Up
Washington Statesmen.
Guy Helvering Has Had His
Share of Troubles.
NEELEY- HODGES FIGHT IS ON
Congressman Wouldn't Support
State Administration.
Cases of Anthony, Murdock and
Phil Campbell.

The Kansas delegation has come
home to visit few days with the
Kansas constituency, to gather Kansas
inspiration and Kansas thought and
comment. They will return to Wash
ington next month for the final round
of the currency bill fight And when
they return to Washington they will
know more of the Kansas situation po
litically than when they stepped from
the train in their home towns this
week.
For in Kansas there are many ru-
mors and many uncertainties. In at
least three of the congressional dis
tricts little storm clouds have been
forming which may mean little or
of the other districts are in but little
better conditions, it is claimed, and
the Kansans in the national legislature
will spend every possible hour at home
before the opening Of the regular ses-
sion.
Echoes of noises from some of the
congressional districts have occasioned
alarm and the threats of impending
trouble have brought Kansas congress-
men and senators home in haste. Just
at present the biggest congressional
row in the state seems imminent in the
Fifth district. But the troubles which
may confront George A. Neeley in the
Seventh and Victor Murdock in the
Eighth are close seconds to the upris-
ings in the camp of Guy T. Helvering,
the new Democratic member from the
Fifth.
Helvering's Troubles Are Many.
Just at this date, the weight of grief
and sorrow in Helvering's district ex-
ceeds the limits for first class mail
matter and is. being hauled to the
young congressman by freight and
parcel post. Helvering went to Wash
ington last spring with trouble glar-
ing at him from every street corner.
And nothing that he has done or ac-
compliShed in Washington seems TO
have lessened his burden.
Among other things Helvering per-
mitted the postoffice situa ton to get
the better of him. When he consulted
his card index systems he found that
he had more promises scattered about
over the district than there were fed
eral appointments at his command. 1t
was just a natural error for a new
member. But Helvering has had more
than the ordinary amount of trouble
explaining.
Now it seems that the Marysville
lawyer must fracture the union hour
law if he is to settle his differences
and win denomination without oppo-
sition in his own party. Even then he
IS cOHITOnIeQ with the nSnt OF his lie
in the ensuing election.
Many Possible Candidates.
Already the Democrats are beginning
to talk of Helvering's successor for thu
nomination. Possibly the Fifth dis
trict man can dodge this fight But it
will require a large number of very
successful explanations and a consider
able amount of work. AT present both
Senators A. B. Carney of Cloud county
md MnlT -
are said to be ambitious to take the
congressional nomination from Helver-
ing. On the other hand r. L. Will
liams of Clay Center is being urged TO
make the race for the Democratic
nomina ton and to oppose the Marshall
county man. Williams is a shrewi
lawyer, real fighter and man with
considerable of a following in the dis
tr1ct- Then there are rumors that SEN
ator ]. w. Howe of Dickinson might
run. But Howe is Hodges appointee
and is said to have told his friends
that he will devote his time in an effort
to aid Governor Hodges for re-elec-
ton.
With more than one candidate
against him, however, Helvering would
probably be an easy winner in the pri-
maries. But in a two cornered scrap D
in the primaries and with sincere op-
position by either w. A. Calderhead of
Marshall county or Senator Walter
Wilson of Washington il the general
election, he would face two contests
that are decidedly unusual for a first
termer.
Grief for Neeley, Too.
There is also the case of Congress-
man George A. Neeley in the big Sew
enth. Storm clouds have developed in
Nee1ey's district since the Novembe-
1912, election. Men who fought AMI
bled for Neeley last fall are now luke
warm. Men who gave Neeley half
hearted support last year are now NUT
tering in words of discomfort or are
openly opposing him.
1t isn't Neeley's failure to make a
record that has occasioned this situa-
ton. For be it known that Neeley has
broken into the limelight and achieved
something of a reputation since his
election in 1911 to succeed the late Ed
Madison. But it is Neeley's alleged
failure to remember promises and (
neglect to fight for the party cause in
Kansas that has occasioned trouble
The Neeley-HodgeS Row.
Just at this time Neeley is quoted
as being opposed to the Hodges ad-
ministration. Neither is Neeley par