The Washington herald., 1919-03-17
Mann LAUNCHES
BITTER ATTACK
ON L0NGW0RTH
Republican Split Widens as
House Boss Calls Ohioan
Social Leader.

The split In the Republican ma
jority of the next House grew wider
yesterday when Representative James
r. Mann, OF Illinois, issued a formal
reply to the charges recently made
against him by Representative
Nicholas Longworth, of Ohio. The
Mann statement constitutes a sharp
personal attack on Mr.. Longworti
and doubtless will be received with
strong resentment by the latter's
friends
Lines Tighten.
As the controversy develops the
factional lines are being frightened.
By the time the Republican caucus
meets there is expected to be a
definite lineup of those opposing and
those fayoring Mr.. Mann's domination
of the house The fight ir the caucus
promises to be one of the bitterest In
the history of the party.
Democratic leaders are jubilant over
the Republican row. They see in the
breach situation which will reflect
its influence in the campaign of 1924
and give them q better opportunity to
regain control Of Congress.
Mr.. Longworth charged that the
Committee on Committees strict
adherence to the seniority rule in fix
ing chairmanships and apportioning
committee assignments, as well as the
selection Of a floor leader, whip and
steering committee, was "a triumph
Tor reactionism." The committee
''outcannoned Cannon" he said.
Refers to Roosevelt.
The Republican majority was
rendered unfit for the importa nj
problems that confront them in
meeting the needs of the reconstruc-
ton period. Mr.. Longworth said
The responsibility he added, rests
In the absolute domination of the
committee and the House by Mr.
Mann.
In his attack on Mr.. Longworth,
Mr. Mann said he was proba ably
CHOSEN for the steering committee
now as he has been before as a sort
OF tribute to Col. Roosevelt.
Nick Longworth thinks it Is
wicked that other Congressman dc
not take him at his own valuation
He wanted to be Speaker, but nc
one else was for him, not even the
other Ohio members. He wanted tc
be chairman OF the Ways and Means
Committee, but no on else could SEE
his special qualifications. He want.
ed to be Republican floor leader and
he got 2 votes out of the 222 rep.
resented in the Committee on Com.
| mittees outside of Ohio.
Dubbed Social Leader.
'T took my defeat for Speaker IL
good nature and without complain.
ing. Nick shows sore spots becaus,
| he could not be Speaker or some.
thing. 1 have been doing what
could to harmonize the party and
| get ready to attend to the important
, legislation which should come be.
fore Congress. Nick is doing wha'
he can to disrupt the party organ.
ization and prevent anything usefu
! being done. Nick says l am a re.
dictionary. He copies this untrue
charge which has been made by
others who fight against me. H,
has been in Congress for fourteen
years. What has he ever done out.
, side of attending social functions.
Il don't want dissension in the
Republican ranks in the House, but
/ know how to fight. and If other.
want to force to fight on me, l an
ready to fight all along the line.
and enjoy it as much as eating.
What does really get under my
hide is to have a man like Long.
worth call me a reactionary.
Unless the Republicans of the
House get down to business, quit
personal quarrels, quiet persona
| ambitions and enact timely anc
needed laws, they are likely to slost
the confidence of the country. Mr.
Longworth ought to do as / am do
ing-take his defeat without whim'
pering and without trying to caus,
disastrous dissension. By harC
work he might develop into a goot
| legislator"