Evening star., 1919-03-16
Those Opposed to His Choice
Rely on Backing of the
Administration.
PROTEST MOVE COMES
REFLECTING "BACK HOME"
Late Speaker Gives the Lie to
Charge That He Is Against
League of Nations.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
The opposition to Champ Clark for
democratic party leadership in the
next Congress resembles the outbreak
against Representative James R. Mann
for the speakership. At snap judg-
n:ent the old political stagers and
those familiar with Champ Clark's rec
ord and his following in the party and
House say at can't be done," just as
they said about the Mann revolution.
But the anti Clark faction has in mind
that they will have the support Of the
administration-if it has not already
been promised to them.
The political dopesters on the Hill
figure that this sudden concern of a
relatively small number of men who
have not been conspicuous on the
floor of the House IN defense Of party
measures has been melted by q fear
that Champ Clark may become too
conspicuous as a presidential candi-
date. The murmurings against the
Clark leadership were not heard until
some prominent democratic campaign
ers commenced to mention Mr.. Clark
as a presidential possibility.
Political Family Favors Move.
Lending force to this line of thought
is the admission by members of the
anti-Clark clique that Postmaster
General Burleson and Secretary Glass
are heartily in accord with the pur-
pose of the uprising and will give it
valuable support AS Mr.. Burkson is
known on Capitol Hill as the politi-
cal manager of the administration.
and as Mr. Glass succeeded in the
Treasury post the Presidents son-in-
Pf1w. who is a presidential possibility,
the politically wise think they see the
CLEAN of a colored mans eyes shin
ing through chinks in the democratic
woodpile.
that the Observation-Disclosures the
President and his cabinet-is not in
stigating this uprising but in the
very next breath the leaders Of the
contest to oust Mr.. Clark as leader
say: I'VE feel very confident that the
administration will be solidiy behind
u.s." and they all but say, I'VE have
had that assurance" Then, too. ef-
forts. are being made to induce the
stanch Wilson administration lead
ers in the democratic party to es-
pouse the cause AS an example. Rep
resentative Asbury F. Lever of South
Carolina is to issue a statement to-
morrow through the insurrection or
ganization supporting its purposes.
Opponent Not Named.
This "loyal-leader" group insist
most emphatically that they have not
selected an individual to offer as q
candidate against Mr.. Clark. And in
explaining why they lead the polit-
ically suspicious to see the shadow Of
the administrations guiding hand.
for they say: Don't you suppose
that il the White House should say
to any of the more prominent men
in the House. known to be loyal to
the administration, Are you loyal?
Don't you want to help the party win
it's fights? Then we want you to
elect a man of unquestionable loyalty.
an ardent supporter of the admins
tration.' he would be willing to stand
as a candidate against Mr.. Clark. and
VIM" They admit that as last re-
sort they think something like this
may be done.
If the President dictates. If he takes
personal part in the organization of
the House. or if Mr.. Burleson or Mr..
Glass or any other member Of the
known that he is acting for the Pres
ident, it may change the minds Of
many strict party men and cause the
defeat Of Mr.. Clark.
'Ioyal Leaders" Explain.
Now to be absolutely fair with the
revolutionists. in present.
ing the situation. and to let the pub
lie have uninterrupted statements:
Representative McClintic Of Okla
homa, secretary of the protestants.
insists that 1t is a spontaneous move
ment that is growing as the members
of Congress gather the sentiment of
their home districts. He explains the
purpose as a determination to have
a leader who is .in perfect accord
and perfect harmony with the admin
lstration and it's policies" They have
two tests-unqualified support of the
league of nations and unqualified sup
port of the administration. He ala:
points out that there will be unQnes~
tionabiy considerable party strtIe ;.>
the next Congress. where the ad-
in endeavoring to put
its policies VIII have only
minority support to bank upon. It
wants leadership that viii be most
loyal to the administration. It does
not want the leader to conc from
minority in a minority.
Clark Only Lukewarm
Representative McClintic argues
that Champ Clark has repeatedly
shown himself not whole-heartedly in
support Of the administration. and
that he Ia chargedvfth not being
whole e-heartedly for the league Of
nations. He concludes that the ma