The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-02
SPEAKER FIGHT ON
Plenty of Good Material in the
1928 Lower House.
From Every Section of State
Leaders Pop Up.
GO BEFORE G. 0. P. CAUCUS
Winner There VIII Have the
Position Tucked Away.
Democratic Nominee VIII Be
Leader of Minority.
GO BEFORE G. 0. P. CAUCUS
BY A. L. SHULTZ.

Prospects of a red hot 'speakership
fight next winter are seen in post
party council discussions of legislative
affairs At least four-possibly a half
dozen Iegislators-are expected to get
in the fight for presiding officer of
the house. There is also a strong pos
sibility of a pro tenn contest.
For more than two years Charles
H. Mann has been regarded as an
avowed speakership contender, altho
he has not made formal announcement
of his plans. Mann is at present editing
the Osborne County Farmer while
Bert P. Walker is in Topeka directing
work of the state printing plant.
Two years ago Mann started in the
race for speaker. He stepped aside
when a counting of noses showed that
w. W. Harvey OF Clark county had a
strong lead. So it is likely that the
Osborne county member will return
for his third term with a positive de-
termination to finish the fight. He
is one of the strongest and most popu-
lar members in the western Kansas
delegation.
Geddes Wants It.
In Topeka this week K. NJ. Geddes
of Butler county made known his de-
sire to handle the gavel next winter
Geddes has served in the house since
1915. He is a lawyer and one of the
strongest members of the lower
branch of the legislature.
1t looks as tho Geddes is likely to
make the race for state senator in
1924. So he plans to finish his fifth
term as a house member by winning
the speakership.
Charles H. Mosher of Ford county Is
another strong contender for Speaker.
Mosher served in the house during the
sessions of 1917-192021-the 1920
session being a special call. He is one
of the leaders among the short grass
members and has told his friends that
he will be in the race next winter.
Ezra Beard of Sedgwick county, is
another aspirant for the office. Beard
was speaker protein in 1921 and is
now in the employ of the state grain
department. . Boards first legislative
service was in 1919.
Ben F. Endres of LeayenWorth
county, is also regarded as a likely
candidate. Endres first came to the
legislature in 1915. He has served
in every succeeding session and is
known to hold a desire to win the
speakership before retiring from house
service. Endres has made no definite
announcement of his plans.
Shideler Has Strength.
H. w. Shideler of Crawford county,
plum. In Topeka for the party council
he stated that he had not determined
whether he would seek the speaker
ship or the pro tenn job next winter.
In spite of his administration asso-
Citations and leaning Shideler has sue
cessfully negotiated several return
trips from the Girard district of Alex
ander Howat's home county.
Dallas W. Knapp of Coffeyville Is
strong pro tenn possibility. Regard
less of the course which Shideler takes
it is not improbable that the Coffey-
vile lawyer will be out for the second
position. Knapp is one of the new
men in legislative work and repre-
sents the south Montgomery county
district In the short time he has
been in the house. tho, he has per-
formed like a major Lacquer.
With the general election two
months away and the legislative or
ganization four months in the future,
there is ample time for an increase
in the present list of speakership and
pro tenn possibilities. Present en-
trants, however, insure lively after
noon when the Republicans organize
for the 1923 session.
Winner of the Republican caucus
nomination will be the 1928 speaker.
The member who receives the Demo-
crat speakership caucus endorsement
will become the minority party's floor
Notwithstanding, of course. that the
Republicans maintain house control.