San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

Copyright. 1923, by San Antonio Light
Washington, ID. C., Jan. 2O.-Repre'
sentative Nicholas Longworth's ambi
| ton to become leader of the national
House of Representatives is about tC
be realized. The REGULARS" among the
Republicans in the House have had Mr.
| I,ongworth slated for the job ever since
Mr.. Mondell made his Inflated decision
to stand for the Senate in Wyoming
last fall, but the insurgents started a
boom for Representative Graham of IL
linois, which threatened trouble for
awhile. The insurgents made entirely
too much noise with their boom. 1t
startled the Longworth cohorts into ac-
ton and they seem today 10 have the
situation pretty well nailed down.
President Harding has had a very
particular interest in the succers OF
Nick Longworth. 1t is an interest
which goes back TO the Chicago con.
vention in 1920 and to the senatorial
fight in Ohio that year. When MIR.
Harding went to Chicago he harbored
two conflicting ambitions. He wanted
the Republican nomination for presi-
dent. and, failing that he wanted TO
L
Senate. Mr.. Harding did not share the
faith of his closer friends that he had
a number one chance for the preslden-
tial nomination. But he knew he could
have the senatorial nomination for the
asking.
Harding Not Optimistic.
1t so happened that Mr.. Harding had
TO make a definite decision as to en-
tering the senatorial primaries on Fri
day midnight of national convention
week. That was the last moment for
filing his papers. 1t was not alone
trying time for Mr.. Harding. 1t was
equally trying for Mr.. LOngworJn, Tor
Nick had told Warren that he would
file for the senatorial nomination II
the latter did not. Mr.. Harding said
he would certainly stand for reelection
to the Senate if he failed in the higher
ambition. Mr.. LongwOrth said he would
take no action until Mr.. Harding knew
what his own decision would be.
When Friday night of convention
week arrived the fight for the noml-
nation looked like a deadlock between
Governor Lowden of Illinois and Cen
eral Leonard Wood. Senator Harding S
friends assured him that this situation
was exactly to their liking and that
he would be chosen as the compromise
candidate.
Mr.. Harding wanted to believe this
geed news, but again he was skeptical.
The hour of midnight Friday approach
ed. Mr.. Harding's senatorial papers
were in Columbus all ready for filing.
So were Nick Longworth's.
Meantime Col. George Harvey, Sena-
tor Murray Crane and other big-wigs
of the convention were meeting to de-
eide on the presidential situation. Harry
Daugherty was with them from time TO
time. Midnight kept approaching re-
lentlessly, however, and when Mr.. Hard
ing at IL 80 p. m. had received no
assuring word from the conference he
directed that his senatorial papers be
filed. he wanted to be certain of sue
ceeding himself, no matter what the
decision of the convention might be.
His action in filing automatically Shut
Nick Longworth out.
Next day Mr.. Harding was nominal
cd for the presidency. 1t was too late
for Longworth to file for the Senate.
He had TO content himself with re-elec-
tion to the House. and it was lien that
his eyes turned toward the House lead
ership on the floor. In the circum-
stances il can be seen how anxious Mr..
Harding has been that Nick should sue
coed.