New Britain herald., 1922-12-01
CONGRESSMAN MANN
 HOUSE VET, IS DEAD.
Illinois Leader Had Served IS
 Terms at Washington

Washington. Dec, .1.--Death last night ended the legi.~tive career of Representative James R. Mann of the second Illinois district, long rated as q giant of the house.
 Returning here two weeks ago Tor the opening of the special session or congress MT. Mann, who had served lis people for upwards of quarter Of century, took part In the prelim- mary work of the house. week ago however he was forced to stay at home because Of cold which ne failed to shake off. His condition at first was not regarded as serious and it was not until yesterday afternoon, after pneumonia had developed, that 1t became alarming. Early in the evening he rallied. but there was n change for the worse as the night wore on Shortly before midnight with his wife and his physicians at his bedside the veteran Of many n congressional battle died peacefully.
 News Is n Shock
 News of Mir. Manns death was shock to the house, for few of hls most intimate friends knew of his ill., ness, beyond the statement that he had been confirmed to his home by cold. On the eve of the house vote Wednesday on the shipping bill MT. Mann wanted to get out of bed and 20 there to be counted on it's side. He was told to stay at home and that while his wise counsel would be help ful there were votes enough in sight and he would be paired. But his thoughts were constantly on the house where his record of service through 13 consecutive terms, or 26 years, had earned for him the reputation among friends and foes of the best informed man on the details of government that ever sat in either branch Of con gress. He was sent back for 14th l term by the people of his district Tn the election last month. |
 Was Real Power
 Minority leader in the house dur ing the eight years of democratic control. Representative Mann saw the speakership go to Gillett Of Massa- chusetts when his party again came ito power there but if the failure of his party in caucus to select him as speaker left any tinge of bitterness with the veteran member his friends never saw an indication of 1t. De- clining then the proffered leadership of the majority, Representative Mann thereafter continued to exercise power equal to- if not greater than that of the speaker himself as chair man of the committee on committees which controls the makeup of the house committees.
 Counting on his strength for a pos sible house upheaval when the re- publican majority was cut to less than a score in the lastselection his friends agaln set to work quietly in his be- half. but the Illinoias member, who months before had declared he never would accept the speakership or the leadership, quickly ended the move when he heard of if by reiterattnR what he said then. That Sit wouidSl have requred Ia powerful effort to beat him if he had zone out for either of these places9xas the opinion free ly held in thrs.Mouse.s
 Funeral Plans k
 Funeral seryicea will be held in tSe house of representatives chamber. to- afternoon after which the body will be taken to Chicago for burial The funeral party will leave at 6:3o D. m. tomorrow, arriving in Chicago Sunday.
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