The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-19
Representative Cooper Starts
Candidacy of Fellow Men,
Der From Ohio.
REFORM ALSO DEMANDED
Abolition of Seniority in APP
pOintment of Committee
Chairman Advocated.
Special Despatch 10 TIVE srS.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1s.--The Speaker
ship fight of Representative Simeon d.
Fess (Ohio). also chairman OF the Re-
publican Congressional Committee. will
be made in the open from now on and
will involve an attack on the seniority
rule in the selection Of committee chair
men for the next Congress- This was
strongly indicated to-day when Repre-
sentative Cooper (Ohio) made public an
nouncement of his support OF Mr.. Fess' s
candidacy.
Mr.. Fess has for some weeks been dis
cussed as d possible opponent OF James
r. Mann Ulls), present minority leader.
While his friends have discussed his
qualifications freely the Ohio member
has not announced himself as candi-
date and Mr. Cooper's statement to-day
was made during Representative Fess 8
absence from the city.
Since tho meeting OF the Republican
National Committee In Chicago opposi-
ton TO Mr.. Mann's candidacy has taken
on Increasingly aggressive form and sup
porters of Representative Gillett Mass.
have seen growing cause for optimism.
showing that Mr.. Mann received roast
OF beef and a horse from one OF the
Chicago packers.
LongwOrth stock Looking Up.
Recently. however. the name OF Repre-
sentative Longworth tOh!o) has been
used with apparent weight, although Mr..
Fees's frienos have insisted thai the en-
tire Ohio delegation Is behind HIM
Representative Cooper's announcement
to-day is regarded in some quarters as
recognition of the growing strength of
Mr.. Longworth. That the issues which
will be involved in the Speakership fight
will come up for general discussion soon
s assured by the call OF a Republican
conference for Tuesday night. Tho an
r.ourced purpose is to discuss Republican
rolicies. but to large extent II is ex-
pected House politics will be considered
Mr.. Cooper's statement follows:
Never before in the history OF our
nation have we been confronted with
so many important questions as We are
to-day. Last November the people OF
our country. realizing this, turned to the
Republican party for counsel and elected
a Republican Congress. I hope and be-
lieve our party will measure up and
prove worthy OF the confidence OF the
American peole.
People Demand Reform.
last fall the Republican party
through Its press and It's speakers at
tackled most vigorously the old time
seniority rule that has made the organi-
zation of Congress so detective and in
sufficient IN the past. In the organiza-
ton os the next Congress our party
must not break faith and should select
men for responsible positions OF leader
ship by reason OF their qualifications and
not BY reason Of seniority.
"I trust the Republicans will look
this question squarely in the face. I
represent one OF the greatest manufac-
turing districts in the country. My peo-
pie have no concern regarding the pat
ronage ! will get but they do demand
that l shall use my best efforts to see
20 It that men Of the highest qualifica-
tions are placed at the head OF impor-
tant committees.
In regard to the selection OF a
Speaker I am fully convinced that no
one could be selected who would be
better fitted and qualified than s. D.
Fess"