The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-04-03
HAYS Joins HANDS
WITH LONGWORTH
G. o. P. Chairman Espouses
Cause of Gillett i
VS. Mann
FIGHT LIKELY ON
STEERING COMMITTEE
Two Factions of Republican Party Get
ting Ready for Fight for Control of
the Next House of Representative
Looking Ahead to 1920.

WASHINGTON, April 3--Confcrences'
here between Will H. Hays, chairman OF
the Republican national committee, and
the Gillett-Longworth forces are worry
ing Republicans of the house, particularly
those allied with James r. Mann in con-
trolling the house organization
They resent outside interference, and
instead of Mr.. Hays helping to settle the
situation he has disturbed it little more.
Even some of thost who voted for Mr..
Gillett for speaker in preference to Mr..
Mann do not like the idea OF MIR. Hays
joining hands with Mr. Longworth.
1t was the Hays-Penrose influence that
brought about Mr.. Mann's defeat, his
friends say, adding that his opponents
planned to organize the entire house, from
leader and whip down through the vari-
Gus committees, and chey had in mind the
overthrow of the seniority rule as it APP
piled to certain of the large standing com
mittees.
Mr. Longworths announcement of a
program for the next Caucus to change
the complexion of the steering committee
heraldcd the beginning of a fight by the
| Gillctt forces to undo what Mr.. Mann had
done. Now that Mr.. Hays has been din
ing and comforting with Mr.. Longworth,
Gillett and others, the nature of the
forthcoming caucus battle takes on more
significance.
With this situation looming up the
Mann forces are preparing TO fight Mr.
Mann, who went to Atlantic City for a
rest, is back on the scene unexpectedly
soon. Has friends believe the plans
worked out in the committee on commit.
tees should be made fast, and will fight
the efforts of Hays and Gillett to change
the situation.
Even the size of the steering commit
tee, it Is said, was fixed by agreement
between the Mann and Gillett leaders. il
advance OF the caucus, to be composed o.
five men, This is what Representatives
Longworth and Johnson want to enlarge
TO nine members, with Mr.. Gilletts ap
proval, and they would put Gillett men IL
the majority. They arc preparing TO run
headiong into a charge of bad faith j
they bring it up in the next caucus, afte
both sides agreed to the size.
Gillett leaders are counting on supper
from the same men who selected hin
for speaker to assist them IN changin
the steering COMMITTEES and perhaps othe
arrangements for house organization b
the Mann strength. They will rcne'
their plea for a party thoroughly Amer
canized
The chief thing that brought about Nj
Mann's defeat for speaker, barring pei
sonal prejudice. was the contention {
Republican leaders such as Hays and PEI
rose that he did not have the proper re
| i nd on preparedness and prewar measure
] They are now chagrined to End VI
Mann, apparently, the dominating for'
behind the choice of an organization lie
by men whose war, pre-war and prepare
ness records were much more flagraI
than his own.
Mr.. Gillett was by no means the who
aim Of the men whose influence gave hi
the Republican choice for speaker The
wanted to be able to put through q pr
gram according to their own fancy. !
stead, they are finding themselves at Il
mercy of a man whose steering eomm
tee. according to claims by Mr. Lon
worth, will not only dominate the hou
program, but write the Republican pla
form for 1920.