The Washington times., 1919-03-17
G. 0. PLIGHT
ON STEERING
COMMITTEE.
GROWS DAILY

The controversy over the makeup
OF the steering committee of the
House Republican organization is
growing daily more animated. Pro-
gressive Republican leaders today
made confident predictions they
would compel radical changes IN that
committee in the next caucus.
Another rock has been thrown into
The machinery by Congressman
Royal Johnson of South Dakota, who
at the last meeting of the Committee
on Committees offered a resolution
TO add four Of the progressive ele-
Inent to the committee, but was de-
Ieated In a statement he points out
the objections to a steering commit
tee made up chiefly of Old Guard
members, and gives warning that the
good of the Republican party de-
mands that the agricultural inter
ests and labor be more adequately
represented on the committee.
Proposes -Four Names.
Mr.. johnson is urging that Nolan
OF California, a labor Republican, be
qua on the committee; Anderson of
Minnesota, and Reavis of Nebraska.
representing agricultural States, and
1T the same time progressive Repub-
'liean views. and ,Slemp OF Virginia,
= progressively inclined Eastern Re
publican
Disruption among the House Re-
publicans il foreseen by many unless
the conservative elements are led to
see the necessity Of making impor-
tant concessions to the progressive
clements Of the party. including ia
Dor. Democrats are delighted, hail
ing the situation as the forerunner
OF 8 split.
The johnson movement to compel
representation in larger measure OF
the progressive Republican elements
: on the steering committee is the
Invest proposition which has been
brought up in the course of the or
Eanization Of the new House. The
dynamite in il is to be found in the
fact that il is not a personal row. F.
hut a question of the shaping of leg
islation the next two years in such 1
direction as to meet at least in con- /
siderable part the views OF progress
sive elements.
Mann's letter TO LOngyvOrth.
The late letter Of Mann 'to Long |
worth has tended to add fuel TO the 4
flames in the House Republican con /
tFOVersy, At the same time. the ex-
changes between. Mann and Long
worth are look cd on to an extent as
personal. II is conceded that tie.
caucus is not going to change the 4
House standing committee as made 3
up by the Committee on Committees, =.
and it-1s conceded that Longwofth car /
make TO successful fight against Mon /
dell for leader. But the steering com
mittee is another question entirely /
IT is recognized that the steering |
committee OF the Republican side Is
going 20 have N the next two years \
a large say in the formulating of
legislative policies. The progressive
Republicans say that unless this COM
Tnfttee takes a forward-looking course
the Republican party will have grief
IN 1920.
Actually. therefore, big Presidential
year politics is involved in the trouble
over the steering committee. John
son Of South Dakota who is leading
ahe movement to add four members
10 the committee made a brilliant rec
prd as an officer in France. is young
and. progressive. and well-liked in the
House He has the backing Of Long
worth and a large number Of the men
who voted for Gillett for Speaker.
However some Of the men who voted
for Gillett are far from progressive
81 respect Of legislation and the divi-
sion over the steering committee will |
not be on GiIlett Mann lines.
Democrats Not Happy.
While the House Republicans are |
cntangled in this difficulty as between !
the Progressive and Old Guard, be-
tween the liberals and tories, the I
Democrats are far from happy The (
fact that Lever OF South Carolina,
fintil lately chairman OF the Commit
tee on Agriculture. has come out !
against Champ Clark for leader, tends |
10 make the war on the Speaker look |
formidable. The friends % M Clark !
insist he will win out but the Oppo-
ssition Is developing a strength they
cannot ignore. What is arouEing the
Clark adherents the more is that they
see in the movement aEains; him the
tine hand Of some Of the politicians
sEhol are trying 10 bring 'about the
domination OF McAdoo for President.
n 1920 and who are anxious to XIII
Of Clark and other rivals.