Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-15
CONGRESSMAN MOORE'S
LETTER
What the Committee on Commit
tees Has Done Explained and
3. Defended; HoW Local Ban-
quets Impress Philadel-
phians in Washington
Washington, ID. C., March IS.

Republican conference to MI committee
places for the new Congress and to elect
| floor leader and steering committee.
Much ado has been made by some of the
! newspapers about the so-callcd "reaction-
| ary group" being in control. It has been
said the "progressives" are dissatisfied and
may attempt to kick tho bucket when the
Republicans got together again in confer
ence. Tho name OF National Chairman
Hays is sometimes used in connection with
this so-called progressive movement Up
TO date, however, tho older members Of the
| House cannot zee any excuse for upsetting
the House organization as arranged by the
| committee on committees, except the desire
Of some newer members to occupy posi-
| tions held by older members. In other
words, there are some chairmanships held
by older and moro experienced members
which newcomers would like to- take unto
| themselves It is tho old, old story of the
reformer In politics There would be very
| little in this controversy except for the
desire Of some Republicans to unhorse the
| Republican floor leader Mr.. Mann, or that
| of the friends OF Mr.. Longworth of Ohio,
TO wrest the craftsmanship of the Ways
and Means Committee from Mr.. Fordney,
| Of Michigan. It may be that these per-
| sonal ambitions may be carried back to the
| Republican conference before the next Con-
| gress Convenes, but careful observers are
| inclined to think the report of the COM
| mittee on committees, which fairly and
cquitably distributes the honors between
the elements OF the Republican party, will
! not be overridden.
Mr.. Gillett has been elected Speaker,
| which was supposed to be progressive"
| move, satisfactory to the national chair
man and other big leaders who are pre-
| sumed to have their ear to the ground.
Mr.. Moudell, the new floor leader, is a
| western man who received the votes of a
| number of western members who were
| opposed to Mr.. Mann. Mr.. Moore, an east
| ern man, who could have been nominated
| for floor leader had he stood for it, has
been made first man on the steering COM
| mittee The Gillett forces, SO called, were
| well taken care of by the committee on
| committees, even to the extent that Mr..
| Winslow, their leader, and Mr.. Longworth
| were placed on the steering committee. Mr..
| Winslows name was presented to the com.
mittee by Mr.. Moore and MI Longworth
| was nominated by Mr.. Mann, so that so far
as the socalled steam-roller Of the Mann
| forces is concerned II operated in a con-
| ciliatory spirit and with the expectation
that ultimate harmony would be secured.
That's the big outcome of the weeks de-
| liberations of the committee on committees.
! FTNHE procession of after the-War ban
quets in Philadelphia reminds the on
| locker in Washington of the boys swinging
up Pennsylvania avenue during an inau-
gural parade. Testimonial banquet to
Magistrate Mecleary! Judge Joseph p
Rogers. toastmaster; William A. Reuter-
secretary! One can almost see the Thirty
first Ward clubs marching by the grand
stand with Mecleary in the lead. Antioch
den Club, David Martin, president; John
! Leonard, secretary. In the good old ante
bellum days, instead of gathering around
! the banquet board at Scottish Rite Han,
| Senator Martin is visualized, high hat,
spats and ALL coming down the line at the
| head of the procession, with "Bucky'-
which means Select Councilman Buchholz
close up to the front; and then George
w. Morrison the right bower of City Treas.
urer Fred Shoyer, comes into view at the
head Of Jerusalem Lodge, and a strong con-
tingent from Tacony and Holmesburg.
| Mighty interesting 10 hear about these
things in Washington, and wish one might
be with the boys at home.
d DAISING millions is now the favorite
~ occupation Of Methodists, Presby.
terians Roman Catholics, Jews and other
denominations. They were all hard hit by
the war and their sustentation funds need
replenshing. In Washington we have rea-
son to believe that men like Bishop Berry
and Brothers Buckley and Boswell, of the
Methodist Church, and the Rev. Drs. Hun
ter and Davies, of the Presbyterian Board
I of Ministerial Relief and Sustentation, are
more than gratfed with the revenue law,
that frendess instrument which is proving
so burdensome to most people, which af
fords relief from taxation in the matter
of certain charitable and philanthropic in
stitutions. Indeed, it is whispered about
that some Of the rich folks who have not
given much thought to charity heretofore
are now disposed to loosen up little in
view of the fact that their gifts may be
made without deduction for taxes.
WHEN David Baird quit the Senate the
w Camden folks were here to say good.
by. Coming to Congress was a big thing
in the life of the South Jersey leader.
Among those who had a righ. TO feel proud
of the record the Senator made during his
brief term was Harry r. Humphreys, who
captured fair portion Of the Baird family
some years ago and who has been the apple
, Of his father-in-law's eye ever since.
Harry has been active in promoting the
work of the New York Shipbuilding Com
pany, but in one respect has helped to
: stay the hand of progress. He is endeavor
. ing to preserve for the historical sharps OF
the New Jersey Society the quaint old
, farmhouse close by Newton Creek, which
: might otherwise be razed to satisfy the
demands of the builders. II the New Jer
I sey Society will meet in Harry Humph