Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-20
TROUBLE BREWING IN HOUSE
BECAUSE OF REBELLION
STARTED az Mr.. klTchiN.
MAN SLATED FOR LEADER
MAY BE soWLED OVER
Indignation in White House Circles Be-
cause Of Avowed Opposition to VIII
don's Preparedness Prosram-Presi-
dent Might Accept kitehin in inter-
ests Of Harmony.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Nov. 2O.--Trouble of a
serious sort for Congressman Claude
kitchin, of North Carolina, is brewing
among the house democrats.
Because of displeasure on the part
of many of the democrats over the
Gently become public, in which he pre-
dicted a majority of the democratic
members would fling away their con-
victions" on preparedness at the be-
hest of the president and have the
White House program rammed down
their throars, there is much talk of a
movement to prevent him from being
made leader.
May Bowl kitehin Over.
In high quarters today, there is dis
cussion OF a plan to choose some other
prominent democrat as chairman of
the ways and means committee, head
of the committee on committees and
leader and to bowl Mr.. kitchin over.
1t is widely felt among administra-
ton democrats that it is going to be
a serious political blunder for the adj
m1nistration and for democrats in
congress who want to go along with
Wilson to permit man to have the
leadership who is opposed to the presi-
dent on preparedness. who is hostile to
the bill for the government ownership
of shipping, and who, IN fact, shows
few signs of lining up with the presi-
dent on the principal features of the
White House legislative program.
For the sake of trying to keep peace
in his turbulent political family, the
ssf,,..- ~
made on kitchin. But a number of
the strong administration democrats in
the house are eager TO $50 to the mat"
with the North Carolina man. Such
an eventuation would mean a factional
fray in the house of first-clasS pro-
portions. The thick and thin Bryan
followers in the house would natur-
ally rally to Kitchin and so would
those democrats who are against pre-
paredness.
Not long ago, after a conference with
the president, Mr.. Kitchin indicated he
was adverse to the preparedness pro-
gram of the administra ton, more espe-
cially the naval program. But he in
dicated, too, that he would not organ
ize opposition but would merely make
his personal position clear. That gave
democrats in congress. tho they
looked on ii with misgiving.
Sharp Criticism Of Program.
But i'll his recent letter Mr.. kitchir,
criticizes sharply the administration
defense program and reflects on house
democrats by picturing them. in effect,
IS spineiess and without convictions,
This has given much offense TO some
of MIR. kitchin's fellow members. They
are asking whether they can be ex-
pected to submit themselves to the
leadership of man who has already
Indicated he thinks them mere tools
Of the White House
AS already indicated the president
may not wish his followers in the
house TO war on Kitchin and want an
effort made to smooth things over. Blu,
made leader there will be endless grief
Senate May Help Revolt.
The feeling is such that some Of the
administration democrats in the senate
are sore at kitchin and are talking OF
helping stir up revolt against him in
the house.
If there is to be an effective effort to
head off kitchin from the leadership. it
must be organized soon. Only few
weeks remain until congress will be
going full blast and the house organ
lied. If a revolt is organized. it must
be ready to spring at the house demo
cratic caucus before the session be-
gins.