Evening star., 1919-05-16
PROCRESS|VES ASK
FOR STEERING BODY
House Democrats Demand
Committee Representative
of All Sections.
CHAIRMAN TO BE LEADER

The democratic progressives in the
next House, through their leaders, today
declared that they are going through
with their fight for steering committee
in the democratic caucus tomorrow noon.
Just what that means as regards the
fight they have been making to oust
Champ Clark az party leader is prob
lematical No direct statement could be
had, and merely an inference was given
that Champ Clark would be expected to
take his chances with the rest Of the
members.
During recent weeks there has been no
statement from the anti-Clark forces.
and it has been taken for granted that
the movement had died out.
Want Al Sections on Committee.
I'VE stand for a steering committee
representing all sections of the coun-
try and the progressive policies Of the
party, that committee to elect its
own chairman, who automatically pc
comes the minority leader. This
statement was authorized today by J:
T. Sanders of Louisiana. chairman OF
has been Conducting the campaign, by
James v. McClintic Of Oklahoma, sec.
retary, and by Asbury F. Lever OF
South Carolina, an administration
When pressed for a direct statement
rerardine Champ Clark. Mr.. Lever
said, ''If that be a fight against Ciark
make the most of it," and the others
concurred in this.
Conference for Tonight Called.
The details of the progressive de-
mand will be worked out az q i, conIe
ence to be held tonight at O'Clock.
Those who have pledged themselves
to the campaign were notified TO-DAY
to attend the conference tonight.
Representative McClintic explained
that 1t is proposed to have q steering
bers. to represent the Federal Reserve
Bank districts.
I'VE are going to fight for the
steering committee regardless OF con-
eeouences," said Mr.. McClintic, who
has been handling the publicity cam
Pa,sn, Ths eountry e 10 iU Behind - us. % The press
has declared editor1ally it is with us.
The members are coming back and
they are bringing word that through
out the states we have the support
of the people"
r.
pose OF having the steering commit
tee il ito advise with the democratic
leaders .:, Q on matters of policy and leg
Principles Of Fight Outlined.
Representatives Sanders. McClintic
and Lever say that their fight in the
caucus for a steering committee is
exactly as they originally outlined.
This declared that it is self-evident
that:
First A party divided in Its leader,
ship is doomed in advance to defeat.
Second. Individual leadership is not
always responsive to the majority
Third. The democrats should in the
future be called together by their
leaders in frequent conference and
consultation. and the views and opin-
ions Of all alike solicited.
Therefore. we declat that q steer
ing COMMITTEES OTIS number and per-
sonnel to be determined by the entire
membership Of the party caucus)
should be constituted for our guild
ance in future sessions. the person
distributed that every section OF the
country win have representation
thereon. The steering committee
should select its own chairman (who
should have no other committee as
signments). who would thus become
ex-oficio minority leader. its action
in this matter, a. in all others, to
be subject to the approval OF the
caucus.
Personnel Of Committee.
Oficers and executive committee Of
the reorganization committee" as
then announced were:
]. Y. Sanders. chairman: William
A. Ayres. vice chairman, and James
V. McClintic, secretary.
Executive committee-James H.
Mays. Utah: Richard 8. Whaley,
Pennsylvania: H. L. Goodwin. North
Carolina: Henry T. Rainey. Illinois;
Carville D. Benson, Maryland; War
rem Gard, Ohio; D. H. Kincheloe.
Kentucky; NJ. NJ. Neely, West vir-
ginia; Patrick McLane. Pennsylva-
mia; John W. Rainey. Illinois; w. NJ.
Hastings. Oklahoma; John ". Lesh-
er, Pennsylvania; A. B. Rouse, Ken
lucky. and Harry L. Candy. South