Evening star., 1923-11-29

have made it clear that they do not
propose to raise the issue of the Sc
lection of a president, leaving to the
democrats or the progressive bloc
the initiative in launching a contest.
Parliamentarians say a motion to
proceed to the election of a Presi-
dent would be a highly privileged
one and would have to be entertain
ed by the presiding officer. If the
Senate votes in favor of an election,
present expectations are that three
candidates will be placed in nomina-
ton, one by the republican organiza-
ton, one by the democrats and one
belief is that none of the candidates s
could command majority and that a
deadlock would ensue.
Efforts of the members of the SEN
yesterday to di22uSs the organiza-
ton situation were unsuccessful, but
they plan to have a conference Friday
at which some decision on a course
Of action may be reached. A number
of the members of this bloc will not
attend the republican conference to
be held Saturday, but others may be
present
Representative Graham in announc-
ing his retirement from the leader
IAN expressed understanding that the
majority of the republican steering
committee during the Sixty-eighth
Congress Will be composed of repre-
sentatives of agricultural constit-
uencies and men who have at heart
the interest of agriculture generally,
as well as all other interests of the
country.
Seeks No New Honors.
"The legislative program of the
House." he added, sis determined by
the steering committee of the major
ity, composed Of seven members. If
a majority of this committee are
members who have at heart the well
fare of the agricultural interests of
the country and is fairly representa-
tive of widdle west and western por-
tions of the country. then 1 believe
an organization of the House with
Mr.. Gillett as Speaker and Mr. Long
worth as leader will be representa-
tive of the varied interests of the
whole country"
had become evident to him that he
would not have enough votes to be
elected leader in the party conference
Saturday and that he had decided "in
feeling to withdraw from the con-
test"
II believe" he added, "by so doing
l can better contribute to the enact
ment of progressive legislation. which
is the principal concern of the men
with whom ! have been cooperating
in this contest.
"In doing this I have had no desire
for personal honors, nor am I seeking
any other office or position except
MT -
which I have been heretofore a mem
ber, the interstate and foreign COM
merce committee"
The decision Of Mr.. Graham to with
draw came after series of confer
ences between party leaders. In which
Speaker Gillett participated. It was
stated that there was no discussion
of the legislative program. the con-
ferences dealing solely with the Ques-
tion of the representation of the farm
bloc on the steering committee.
May Return to Committee.
Representative Longworth said the
rearrangement of steering committee
membership would give full recogni-
ton to all geographical regions, and
agricultural as well as all other in
terests of the country.
Republican House leaders predicted
that Representatives Darrow, Penn
sylvania: Sanders. Indiana. and An
derson, Minnesota, would be return
ed as members of the steering COM
mittees, assignments to which are
made by the republican committee on
committees. Representative Magee
New York. is expected to replace Rep
resentative Dunn. New York, who has
retired from Congress. The elevation
OF Mr.. Longworth to the leadership
would make him ex officio chairman
The place OF former RepreSeutatiyS