The Washington times., 1917-03-30
Personality of LenrOot
"A Power in Congress
Characteristics of Leader Who Doesn't Talk
Too Much and Isn't Afraid To Say
What He Thinks.
~ THEODORE TILLER.

Eight years ago there came out of
the West to the House OF Representa-
tives a man imbued with the "wis-
consin idea," follower of La Toilette,
then approaching the heyday of his
popularity and q potential battler in
the Progressive movement.
This novice legislator was Irvine L.
Lenroot, of Superior, Wis. Within
eight years his influence In the House
has so grown that today he is the
prospective floor leader of the Repub-
Leans should they organize the lower
branch OF Congress and elect James
r. Mann, OF Illinois, Speaker. Indeed,
Lenroot has been considered as q com
promise candidate for the speakership
In the event of Republican discord in
the organization of the House.
A DifheuIt Assignment.
1t Is a difficult assignment to write
a sketch of Congressman Lenroot.
One may not draw from a fund Of
anecdotes about him. It Is probable
that he never told a humorous cloak
room story. His name has seldom oc-
cupied the front page headlines of
the newspapers. He Is not q chronic
orator in the House of Represents
tives-and that, in the minds of many,
Is In his favor. When he does speak
II Is generally on a matter of major
Importance. His utterances are losi-
cal, clear cut. and serious-always
serious.
A colleague who has known Len
root for many years was asked II he
knew any stories, any anecdotes about
him.
II don't remember a one; he's too
Intense for that" was the reply.
u AILAround Interest.
That described Lenroot. He IN In
tensely practical, intensely earnest,
Intensely Industrious, and intensely
conscientious.
Probably II would be difficult to put
ones finger on Lenroot's following in
the House. Yet the following is there.
He has never clamored for leadership
nor played to the galleries. He has
never been accused of being q dema-
gogue or of lodging an issue. When
he steps to the well of the House to
deliver a speech. always of the i'm
promptu sort, he Is greeted with ap-
plause and there Is no disorder while
he talks.
In his attitude on public questions
Lenroot is q Progressive-Republi
although not q hidebound partisan.
An Independent Voter.
He will vote for Democratic meas
use as quickly as a Republican meas
ure should he regard It as meritori-
Gus. He will as freely vote against a
bad Republican bill.
One of the notable speeches in the
House during the last session was
that delivered by Mr.. Lenroot on Feb
ruary II approving of the severance
of diplomatic relations with Ger
many.
"By her own admission Germany
has made herself an outlaw" said
Mr.. Lenroot. ANY day may bring
the news OF the destruction OF Ameri-
can ships and American lives in ad-
mitted violation OF international law
and the laws of humanity. As un-
derstand the views expressed by some
gentlemen. II this shall come to pass
we must do nothing: that no matter
what the provocation may be, under
no circumstances must we defend our
rights with force.
Not the Nations Spirit.
"If this Is to be the attitude Of
Congress and the American people
then the days of this republic are
numbered. We will. no longer be a
nation, for any people too cowardly
to fight for their liberty upon the
sea, IL need be, will be too cowardly
to fight for their liberty upon the
land. But this is not the spirit Of the
American people, and when the time
comes 1t will not be the spirit of the
Congress"
Congressman Lenroot has been re-
garded as a close political ally and
protege OF Senator La Toilette, but