New-York tribune., 1919-02-26
Kansas i'm Battle
For SpeakersIaip;
Campbell Backed
West Made Congress Rcpub-
lican, His Supporters
Urge; Recognition Will
Help Us Win i'm I92O7'
Ncw York Tribune
tfosLf3,ofOu RU,.ooat


WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-Thc West
today presented claim for recogni-
tlon in the organization of the next
House when the members of the Kan
sas delegation proposed the name of
their colleague, Representative Philip
K. Campbell, for the Speakership.
"The great West made the Goth Con-
gress Republican," a joint statement
issued by the Kansas delegation re-
minds the Republican membership of
the House The selection of Mr.. Camp
bell for Speaker will "help us win in
1920" it adds.
The unexpected projection Of Repre-
sentative Campbell into the Speaker
ship contest is believed to have had it's
origin in two quarters. Primarily the
members Of the Kansas delegation, al
though N some instances privately
pledged to Mr.. Gillett, find it very en-
barrassing to support the Massachu-
sets man on account of his record in
the House against both national pro-
hibition and woman suffrage. Minority
Leader Mann is equally, if not more,
unacceptable.
BY proposing Representative Camp
bell, the Kansas members, and some
Iowa and other Western members, who
are up against the same difficult situa-
ton, will have an opportunity to "vote
right" on the first ballot. After thus
registering their objection to both Gil
EFT or Mann, it will be easier for them
TO explain subsequent votes.
Then Representative Campbell is
ranking Republican on the Rules Com
mittee and in line for its chairm- -nship.
His candidacy for the Speakership, his
friends believe, will not in any way
injure his chances for Leadership of
this important House committee. On
the contrary, it will give him a prestige
shunting of him aside, should the
seniority precedent be later shattered,
it is stated.
The second element believed to have
had something to do with the Camp
/ bell candidacy is the political camp
of Mr.. Mann.
The Mann forces are in q quandary
as to their "next move" unless it be q
withdrawal of Mr.. Mann's name from
the caucus. The introduction Of a third
candidate into the contest cannot hurt
Mann and it might under certain cir
cumstances help him.
AS q last resource the Mann forces
might effect coalition with the sup
porters of Representative Campbell to
defeat Mr.. Gillett, it is suggested. This
contingency, it is believed, is very un-
likely. In fact, there was no concern
among the Gillett forces at the prospect
of Representative Campbell's candi-
dacy. The feeling among supporters of
the Massachusetts man seemed to be
that the situation would not be much
changed by the entrance of the Kansas
representative. The statement issud
by the Kansas delegation to-day reads
"To the Republican members elect OF
the 66th Congress-:
believing that the necessity has
arisen for candidate for Speaker o1
the House of Representatives, who, i
elected, would harmonic the conflict
ing elements now struggling fol
supremacy and make more certain Tie
continuance of good feeling among the
membership of the next House, as wei
tainty Of Republican success in 1920
the undersigned Republican members
elect from Kansas have decided to pre-
sent the name of Phillip P. Campbell
to the Republican conference.
"The great West made the 66tl
Congress Republican; let US go there
for a candidate for Speaker. Philip
Campbell has been in Congress for six
teen years. He has weathered ever,
political storm within that time, stand
ing firmly for the vital principles o
the Republican party. He is goot
parliamentarian, is at present ranking
Republican member of the Committee
on Rules and one Of the best presidin,
officers in the House of Representa-
tives.
your vote for Phil Campbell fo
Speaker will be without regret and will
help as win in 1920. May we coun
upon your support? Respectfully sub
mtted.
: ID. r. ANTHONY
edward C. LITTLE.
"HOMER HOCH.
CTpGNC