The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-18

4sssx II - ~ 4DUOn0.
Washini lon, D. c.. Nov. lS.-The
dSnnite refusal Of Congressman
eJamss r. Mann Of Chicago to be .
candidate for either the speaker
40 or the Republican door leader
dkip Of the house In the next con-
fiess brought out the name Of an
9thsr rIIIinoisan. william J. Graham
81 Aledot representing the Rock
1lIlsnd district, IS returning mem
bers began to reach Washington
f6te week. ;,
Graham may be brought on. as
he favorite Of the middle west for
O. o. p. floor leader to succ ,ed
Frank ". Mondell of wyoming.
vho ran second in his race for the
6enate In that state, according to
reliable party members. The choice
0f 4 new leader will be made at a
N2publican caucus early next year
irregular procedure is followed.
with discomfort evident among
the membership Of the majority
p1rty, however, Mondell may carry
out an intention which he express
"a last summer and retire from
Mis- dictatorship during the session
which convenes next Monday
Much OF the blame for inaction at
the last session was put on house
leaders and this has turned to a
feeling Of disgruntlement among
defeated congressman. =,
The present. situation, say re-
turning members of the house
holds no promise Of smooth sailing
FOR the ship subsidy bill, which will
be the first piece of important leg,
fslation considered. A new leader
satisfactory to middle western con
gressmen would be more likely t
direct the bill to passage by sat
islactory vote than Mondell or an!
Of his immediate associates.
"a Compromise Candidate.
Graham would be logical com
promise candidate under these cir
cumstances. He is known as ;
fofceful debater and an accom-
plished parliamentar.an. Coming
from q district that is largely agri
cultural, he would be in mucl
better position to call on member
OF the house farm bloc" to supper
the ship subsidy than a representa-
tive of the manufacturing section
like Nicholas Longworth of Ohio
or q thoroughgoing conservative
like Sydney Anderson Of Mime
sofa.
,Longworth, the husband of Alic
Roosevelt and son-in-law of the lat
Theodore Roosevelt, was looked upo
as Mondells probable successo
until the election. The victories
enough progressive Republican
from the middle west to hold tn
balance Of power in the house mir
ped. his chances for the next col
greSs, and 1t Is doubtful whetht
he could even be chosen for IL
coming short session.
In addition to opposition direc
ed against him as Representative
of the "Old Guard" it is improb;
Bile that Longworth would be al
ceptable to the Republican "drys
who regard him as unfriendly
the VOlstead act. His home is
Cincinnati.
Anderson Of, Minnesota is mel
\ toned as the man who Graha
wonld have to beat for the leade
ship. Though he comes from
farming state, Anderson will ha'
vigorous opposition from some
the same elements that oppo
Longworth. His neighbors fro
Wisconsin will fight him to t
limit. as will other progressiv
from North Dakota, Nebraska al
. Michigan. It is doubtful wheth
he can command the unanimo
backing of the delegation from
own state. as several Republica
were chosen there on anti-admini
tration platforms.
Must Consider West.
IT is certain that the MIDI
west will demand either the spea
ership or the Republican flo
leader in the next house. MAJ
could have been elected. his frien
claim. and may yet be drafted I
the place. II Frederick H. Gi!lt
Of Massac husetts, the prese
speaker, is to be reelected, 1t W
probably be through a compa
whereby the east supports q we:
ern man for the floor leadership.
Graham would be assured OF t
solid support Of his Illinois &C
leagues for the place, though mo
Of the talk Of his candidacy h
come from the representatives
other states.
His election would mark the r
turn Of Illinois to position
power on the Republican side
the house. as Congressman Mar
was floor leader for the eight yea
of,the Wilson administration.