The sun., 1919-03-22
MIR. LoNGwoRTH,S INTER
ESTING JOB.
Building BackDres In Certain Congress
Districts to Warm, Warn and
Enllghten Members with AmbI-


Enllghten Members with AmbI-
tons.
Representative Nicholas Longworth
OF Ohio is the leader of a movement
already interesting and having posi-
bilities OF large political importance.
When tho House Republican caucus
agreed upon the election OF Gillett as
Speaker Of the Slxty-sixth Congress
second move in the progressive
programme was attempted by Wins
low of Massachusetts which had for
its amiable purpose reservation of rear
seats on the floor for Mann and Mann
tics and shakeup in committee
chalrmanships. Winslow was prompt
ly outmannuvrcd by Mann aided by
two of the cleverest political strate-
gists in the House. Uncle Joe Cannon,
no less, pnd Frank Mondoll of Non
tana. The immediate result IL we'll
Known: a resolution offered by Mann
as substitute for that proposed by
Wlnslow was adopted by the caucus.
This outcome might have been the
same had Winslow been as adept at
the game as were the veterans OPP
posing him. as they probably had the
necessary votes scwed up in their
pockets before the caucus was called
to order. Be that as II may, Winslow
was not, makes no pretence of being.
might resent the suggestion that he 10
versed IN the political ways of those
who were his undoing.
Acting upon the Mann resolution q
committee on committees was created
and has designated nearly all OF the
Republican members OF the Sixty
sixth Congress for committee assign
ments. These designations include q
number of chairiuanships known TO De
unsatisfactory not only TO n number
OF Republican Representatives but to
some gentlemen who legislate at the
other end OF the Capitol and some not
at present engaged as Uncle Sans
hired mon, but who have hopes. These
committee designations are not final;
they must be confirmed by a caucus
be fore they become effective.
That situation gave Mr.. Longwortn
an opportunity OF which he has taken
advantage. He is out with a torch
starting. or trying to start, backfires
Az q iluihbti Va bJbttANlo Win tLlC hOPc
OF driving into the anti Mann camp
certain members who have shown a
willingness to play politics as Mann
directs, but who are presumably more
than willing to be reelected in 1920.
That the Longworth activities have
disturbed Mann is clearly indicated by
the nature OF his first comment
thereon. TO try TO discredit Long
worth by saying that he devotes his
days to golf and his nights to bridge
would not have been clever even II
the charge were true; 1t was doubly
stupid. suggesting that Mann acted
under the impulse of fright and before
consulting with the keener Cannon
and the cooler Mondell, in view OF the
fact, familiar OF course to all official
Washington, that Longworth hns
earned fair attendance marks from the
clerk of the Committee on Ways and
Means. and has been an intelligent de-
batter on the floor of measures re-
ported out by that great committee.
II the infammable material in tho dis
tricts where he Is swinging his torch
with more vigor than he ever swung
a golf club ignites there will appear
at the caucus called TO put through the
Mann programme a number of men,
bers whose minds will have been much
enlightened by the fires Longworth
started: II their number is large
enough to overturn the Mann pro-
gramme there will be some significant
changes made on the Mann slate.
Longworth. being then credited with
having won hard fought battle,
might be induced to become a candi-
date for the seat in the United States
Senate now occupied by Warren G..
Harding. at an election TO be held in
1920 on the very day when. II is to be
observed. that same Mr.. Harding. 80
some folks believe. will be voted for
as resident of handsome mansion on
Pennsylvania avenue. Washington,
d. c., of which Mr.. Wilson is now the
tenant and at times the occupier.
But--and it is n but to be kept in
mind-Cncle Joe knows every political
trick ever invented and has invented
quite a number himself; Frank Mon
dell Is a master of political strategy Of
a fine quality OF mastery not yet gen.
orally recognized, and James r. Mann
has never OF late years been selected
by dealers in political green goods as
q likely comeon.
Mr.. Longworth has helped to create
and Is at present in charge OF an In
teresting political situation. and. with
a pretty good knowledge OF his polii-
cal opponents methods. has probably
an intelligence bureau with
tirelessly to observe the
of two distinguished gen
tlemen from Illinois and one from
Montana.