The Washington herald., 1919-03-14
LONCWORTH HITS
HOUSE CONTROL
BY old GUARD
Will Carry His Fight Against
Mann Policies to Re-
publican Caucus.
REACTIONARIES LEAD
Representation on Steering
Committees Denied Labor
and Progressive Forces.

A split in the Republica sSnajority
I'm the next House Of Representatives
loomed up stronger last night than
at any time since Representative
Mann. Of Illinois, seized control OF
the recent caucus and became the
dominating influence in the Commit
tee on Committees.
The Committee on Committees, act
ing under the domination of the Mann
faction. yesterday turned down a pro-
posal to increase the membership OF
the steering committee to give rep
rescntation to labor and the prosSss-
sive sentiment of the West.
Following this action, Representa-
tive LOnEworth. Of. Ohio. who has
vigorously opposed the committees
rigid adherence to the seniority rule
in deciding chairmanshfps and ap-
poTtioning committee assignments, de-
Clared he would carry his fight to
the Republican caucus.
I.ougworth believes that in the in
terest OF efficiency i'm the prepara-
tiOn of vital legislation to meet the
needs Of the reconstruction period. as
well as in the interest of party har-
mony and solidarity. the caucus will
decline to ratify the actions Of the
committee.
mitted that they expected a fight in
the caucus, but asserted that they
would have sufficient votes to up
hold the committees action.
The performance by the Repub-
lican Committee on Committees OF
its most important duty. that Of
selecting the steering committee.
the floor leader and the whip" said
Mr.. Longworth. was exactly what
ought to have been expected from
the men and under the methods
controlling. Its net result was to
make Mr. James r. Mann the DOM
mating figure in the next House OF
Representatives.
1T is the most complete sort of
triumph for reactionism."
The motion to increase the MEM
bership Of the steering committee
from fve to nine was made by Rep
resentative Johnson, of South
Dakota. He suggested there be
added to those already chosen the
names Of Representatives Anderson.
OF Minnesota: Reavis. Nebraska;
Slemp. Virginia. and Nolan, Cali
fOFnia. -.a-=--a-7z =
Representative Nolan was declared
to be the only real labor representa-
tives Anderson and Reavis are leaders
tive Anderson and Reavis are leaders
among the Western prOgressives. Mr..
slemp vas urged as representing the
group Of States comprising Maryland,
Kentucky. Tennessee, West Virginia
and Virginia. which contributed ma
tcriaIIy to the increased Republican
membership OF the House
Representatives Mann. MOndell, of
Wyoming. the new floor leader. anH
Moore. Of Pennsylvania. opposed the
motion. and it was defeated 15J to 36.
Rnps ReactIonarIes.
II the Republicans of the country
want some other leader. continued
Mr.. Longworth. then let them in
struct their representatives to see to
it that the program is modified at
least to the extent that control of the
House organization be placed in the
hands OF men who have stood straight
on preparedness and on war measures
and who believe that the Republican
party has progressed since 1910.
Then the leadership was held by
Mr.. Cannon. assisted by DIR. Mann, of
Illinois: Mr.. DalZeIl, of Pennsylva-
mia. and Mr.. Tawney. of Minnesota,
together with Mr.. Payne, of New
York. acting as chairman of the
WAYS and Means Committee. Under
today's arrangement the nal leader
ship is held by Mr.. Mann, assisted
by Mr. Cannon. of Illinois; Mr.. Mon
dell. Of Wyoming, and Mr.. Moore. Of
Pennsylvania, together with Mr.
Fordney. of Michigan, acting as
- chairman Of the Ways and Means
Committee
The committee selected Represent
ative Mason, Of New Hampshire, for
membership on the Appropriations
Committee to hu the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Representative
Mondell the new floor leader