The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-08
DEMOCRATS WANT
KITCHIN TO DROP
HOUSE LEADERSHIP
Since Illness of KitChin, Rep
reSentativeS Garrett and
Garner Have Become Able
Leaders in House
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS
Washington Bureau, The Age Heral
Ann DnNidsnn Rnil1

washington, september I.-(Spes
ciaD Before another organization
of the House of Representatives,
Claude Kitchin of North Carolina
should retire from the nominal lead
ership of the democrats. in the opin
ion of what appears to be a majority
of the members of the party.
Since Mr.. Kitchin suffered a
stroke of paralysis two years ago,
he has been unable to discharge his
duties either as a representative or
a party leader. Nevertheless, the
democrats have always reelected
him to head the fighting column.
Should Mr.. Kitchin voluntarily re-
tire, he would relieve democrats of
that embarrassment which would
afollow an attempt to defeat him in
caucus. There is no question but
that II he should conclude again to
ask for honors, opposition will de-
velop.
Since the illness of Mr.. Kitchin,
democrats have developed two ex-
ceedingly able men in the House.
The first Is Representative Fins
Garrett of Tennessee, the other,
representative JdCk NTdtD Vi
as, ranking democratic member of
the ways and means committee.
The Hull Report
If Kitchin voluntarily retires, Gar
rett will be elected speaker If the
democrats are in power after sfarch
4 next, or, If the republicans still
control. leader. For two yea he
has been acting leader. He has rem
dered brilliant service, in the opin-
Ion OF both democrats and republic
cans. If he becomes speaker, Gar
ner, II is certain, will be, elected
floor leader.
There has been report to the effect
that Cordell Hull, chairman If the
democratic national committee. who
is certain of being elected men,
Der of the House from Tennessee.
will ask for the speakership in the
event the democrats secure a ma
jority of the members. 1t is not con-
ceivable, however, that Hull would
oppose his colleague from Tennes-
see, Garrett. But should he do so,
1t would likely follow that demo-
Gratis would elect Garrett. Hull
would make a splendid speaker. He
would have the prestige of having
led a fight which was victorious.
But Garrett. by his successful STRAIT
egg against republican majority
larger than his total following, has
endeared himself to his men, and
there is little doubt but that they
would respond to his request that
he be given the speakership.
Garrett was appointed to fed
eral judgeship by President Wilson
but the republicans refused to con-
firm him. They regret that fact,
now Garner has Numbered only
once. He supported the emergency
tariff bill. He fell for the widest
trick the republicans have ever
played on democrats. But for that
blunder he has repented in many
salty tears.
soft For Longwbrth
On the republican side. it begins
to appear as If Nicholas Longworth
will be the man of the hour OF
course, If the republicans are re-
tanned in power, the speakership
will fall again to Representative
Gillette of Massachusetts. In that
event, Longworth will be elected
floor leader, according to indications
The way has been cleared for
Longworth by what appears to be
destiny. Representative Ferdney OF
Michigan, chairman of the ways and
means committee. voluntarily re-
tires; likewise, Uncle" Joe Cannon
of Illinois. Representative Walsh of
Massachusetts,. assistant speaker
and Gillette, 1t is admitted. has need
ed assistance-has resigned to ac-
cept a judgeship in his home state.
Representative Mondell, present
floor leader, has eliminated himself
by becoming a senatorial candidate
in wyoming; likewise Representa-
tive Fess is running for the Senate
in Ohio. Representative Mann of
Illinois, former republican leader. is
not again seeking high honors. SO
Longworth, with little effort,
should slip in.
Longworth is bright enough to be
leader although he has not indelibiy
impressed his talent on important
legislation. He Is Familiarity known
and unquestionably best known as
the husband of Alice Roosevelt.
Lodge And Underwood
There is no doubt but that the
republicans will maintain their con-
troll in the Senate. Unless senator
Lodge is defeated in Massachusetts
and he has both republican ana
democratic opposition of more or
less formidable character-he will
he reelected republican leader.
sbo,,ld he suffer defeat the leader
shin would go to Senator Watson
Of indiana, or Senator Curtis OF
Kansas -,
The minority leadership will be
awarded to Senator Underwood OF
Alabama for the second time. IN
derwood is a greater majority leader
when 1t is necessary to weld col
umn together for the enactment Oh
important legislation, than minority
leader, whose function, some regard
II. Is solely to tear down and pre-
vent legislation. But there is on the
surface no opposition to his re-elec,
ton. Should there be, Underwood
in all probability would retire.