The New York herald., 1922-06-05
SELF FIRST,T main
MOTTO in CONGRESS
Candidates for Reelection
Are Playing Generally
to Noisy Groups.
FACING EVERY FRONT
Demoralizing Influence of
Classes on Parties Causes
Apprehension.
HYSTERIA IN INSURGENCY
Growth of Liberal Tendency
Noted Throughout Country
by Observers.
BY LOUIS sErBoLp.

Washington, ID. c.. June 4.
congressional candidates for re-
election are proceeding on the theory
that it is every man for himself. or.
as Southern Senator put it to-
night, When the water reaches the
second deck follow the rest"
BY the rest" the Southern states
man meant any one of dozen mi
nority groups contributing an un-
usual amount of noise in an effort to
make it teappear it Is the voice of the
whole people speaking.
The Importance of the group idea
which was manifest in the aggregate
which contributed to the unprece-
dented majority given to President
Harding is generally conceded by
Senator'S and Representatives Most
of them incline to the belief that it is
better to subscribe to many doctrines
than to adhere to strictly prescribed
policies of traditional or fundamental
origin and past value.
The fact that these groups to which
they are appealing and upon which
they are depending for votes have lit
tie in common with one another and
frequently conflict with the estab-
lished policies of their respective par
ties is of small moment The thing is
to get the votes by any device of log
rolling or assembling that will prove
most effective.
Harmony of View.
! One of the most significant features
of the present political situation
throughout the country is the har-
nony OF view that prevails among both
Republicans and Democrats in one re-
lspect. Few if any of the Congressional
candidates believe there is any danger
| of cohesive or permanent alliance
between the groups to win the favor
of which they are now trimming their
political sails.
In other words, the candidates for
reelection to the two houses of the
legislative branch of Congress enter
tain little apprehension that these
groups will find common ground for
trading and on which to build third
political party of menacing potentiali-
conditions encourages the belief that
the inspiration of group ambitions is
largely of a parochial character intent
only on coercing the larger parties to
comply with the demands Of special
and isolated interests.
That there exists in parts of the
Iccuntry pronounced tendency toward
liberalism. most candidates for Con-
greses concede, but concerning the
ultimate development of which they
are more or less apprehensive. They
do not believe that without adequate
leadership, so far lacking, the recent
gestures indicating the growth of an
insurgent spirit in both parties will
eventuate into a definite third party
movement in the coming Congressional
contests.
Present insurgency Defined.
Senators and Representatives who
predict or concede a slump in Repub-
llican fortunes next November deem it
wise strategy to segregate the groups
whose support Is coveted and to keep
them from heroing in one camp, If
such thing were possible. without
sagacious leadership. That which is
lQC6CElDeQ HIS hSuTEtnCy lH DOlD
houses OF Congress is regarded by OK
perts as nothing more than phase
of political hysteria provoked by dis
appointment Of personal ambitions.
The anxiety displayed by some of
the most prominent figures in their
Irrespective parties over coming events
would be ludicrous, according to
trained observers, il it were not for
the demoralizing effect of the group
influences on the morale of both the
Republican and Democratic parties.
Outside Republican leaders who
have been watching with dismay the
maneuvers of some of the solid men"
of the party in the legislative branch
do not hesitate to denounce the ten
dency on the part of these men to ig-
more completely the traditions and poll
licies of Ihe party hitherto held to be
more or lses sacred.
The attitude of many of the unim-
portant men who hold important
places in the Congressional organiza-
ton prompted n state leader of broad
experience TO express the opinion that
"the Senate and House are made UP
chiefly of men of the alderman type"
He supplemented this estimate Of tho
national eolons by ascribing to them
.'the mental caliber of small town SUI
pervisors and the timidity of sacred
rabbits"
He recalled with great gusto during
conversation with the President the
other day an incident in a Chicago
movie show. He said that a reference
to Congress in the text of a picture
provoked roar of derision."
State leaders. whose chief concern
is TO prevent Congressman from de-
moraizing their lo,al organizations
agrec with their Democratic confreres
on one point. They concedc the prob
ability OF n tremendous improvement
in tho fortunes of the Democratic
party.
One of these leaders expressed to the
writer the hope that the Democrats
will control the next House OF
Representatives. so that Republican
state organizations can get rid of q
lot of fellows who arc of no use tc
VS.. but spend all of their time In play.
ing mp to groups usually antagonistic.'
In pnilfneraffuQ fhe proiina IN xv hic h