The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-02
Progressives Are Aware That
 Ths&:ss SmalI Number Can 70 5p s~ My Or All Legislation ss smey Will
 1(HEIR OBJECT IS TO BREAK UP MACHINE RULE Test Vote At Caucus lndi-
 cates That Should Radicals
 Wish They Can Effectively
 Block Election Of Speaker
By RAYMOND CLAPPERN Leased Wire To The Agc-HcraId.) )


 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-If history is to repeat itself in the coming Con- gress. as seems likely, then the re- publican party may as well look for ward to the next few months with genuine anxiety.
 The attack which the handful of LaFollette insurgents are making on the machine control of the House should not be dismissed lightly. If 1t proves to be a sustained attack, and if the conservatives refuse conces- sions it will mean serious embarrass- ment for the majority party-and possibly worse than that, if the con sessions are granted.
 It is the fashion at the moment to speak scernfuly of the 20 men or less who constitute the LaFollette bloc in the House. They are not men of outstanding brilliapce, nor have they remarkable skill as legislators. None of them approach LaFollette in ability--indeed. the much hated lit- tie Wisconsin senator stands in head and shoulders above his followers in genuine ability.
 Conditions Favor Radicals.
 But nevertheless, conditions favor the LaFollette men, and they are placed in such 2 powerful strategic position that trey can defy the con servat.ye forces. although the latter greatly outweigh them in numbers and political skill. These progress sives know they will be able to hold up business in the House. That in itself is a power which will enable them to fight winning battle gainst superior. numbers.
 +l,oeo thirds of whom come Wisconsin do not need to be afraid Of the folks back home. They were elected as anti-administration republicans and they will run again as anti-ad- ministration candidates. That alone f7fs enough to insure that they will keep on the war-path.
 But the progressives also want to break up the machine rule of the House so that they can have their measures considered. The fight against Cannonism decade ago merely transferred the autoeratic power which the speaker had pos- sessed to the party steering commit tee and the caucus. Now the same pros ogressives (some of the men, like John NJ. Nelson, took part in the original fighD are out to tear up the last entrenchments. They want the rules changed so that, by petition,
 
 sideration. They want every member to have the opportunity to offer amendments.
 Under the existing rules, no bills come before the House except those approved by the steering committee. and no amendments are offered-on important legislation--except those reported by the committee in charge of the particular bill. Therefore, the cnv fai lc fn in ha favor of the steering committee and the rules committee is almost power less to get hearing.
 Essential Part Of Program.
 These changes in the rules are re- garded as the most essential part of the progressive program, for the pletely controlled that the progress sives are well-nigh helpless to get their program before the House. The chief objection raised to these pro- posals is that with a membership of 500 the House can do no business at all unless the rights of individual members are curtailed.
 That is what the progressives are seeking to force on the regular or ganization by virtue of holding up the election of a speaker next week. If the regulars give in, 1t means they yield their grasp of the lower house. And in the present situation that means they abandon all chance of putting through any kind of pro- gram. The result will be that Presi- dent Coolidge will be unable to make any of his legislative program effec- tive, and the party will suffer &C., cordingly in the next campaign.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The pro- cf ted at he, ltcan caucus today how effective their bloc can be in obstructing organiza- ton of the House of Representatives
 By an overwhelming vote, the reg ulars named Speaker Gillett, Mas sachusetts, to continue as speaker of the House--the caucus victory had been conceded--but there was deep significance in the vote.
 Gillett received 190 votes: Repre- sentative Cooper of Wisconsin, the progressive candidate, boiled 15 votes; Representative Madden, Illl- nois, 8. and Representative Little, Kansas, 1.
 A majority of the whole House, or 21S votes, is required to elect speaker. If the fifteen progressives vote in unit, as they did at the caucus today, they could cut the regular republican vote to 210, or eight short of the necessary ma jority.
 There are 225 republicans, 2l0 democrats, one farmer-labor member. one socialist and one independent in the House. Even if the last three voted with the republicans, the total would still be only 213.
 Now that the progressive bloc has demonstrated it's strength. Washing ton Is waiting eagerly to see how they use it when Congress convenes.