davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11
FOURTH DISTRICT

Fireman, M A-(Geo H Carson) IN
acres woodland near Pope's Creek, as
sessed al Z 20: deed from Mary X
Somewell, LiberB G S No. folio $50.
Due for State Taxi, 81
Jameson, John W Vehicles and live
stock assessed at $40.
Due for State Tax.... 252
" Co. .... II 80
Matt ews, Lucy Hrs-8 acres and
building near Bel Alton assessed at s20l ;
probably deed from Jennie Stone to
Lucinda Matthews, Libei b G 5 No Ia
folio 3l2.
Due for. State Tax So. q
" " Co. ...... Is
Swami, James NJ. so acres land and
buildings near Trinity Church assessed
at 1868; deed from Frederick B Swann
and wife, Liber H c c No. "a folio 1893.
Due for State Tax. So
:" i" Co. ... S84
Thompson, Mary E-15 acres land
near Popes's Greek assessed at s225.
Due for State Tax. g
Thompson, Aloysious-15 acres land
near ropes Creek assessed at S226;
deed from NJ Courtney jenkins, Liber
H C C No. q folio 49s
Due for State Tax ~. %
" Co. .... 8 S.
Thomas, William Hrs-S acres land
near Bel Alton, adjoining land Of Mary
Kelly & Aaron Butler Hrs. assessed
at 81 20.
Due for State Tax. AZ
!" Co. :, -. $50
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11


Butler, Edwards acres land and
buildings near Malcolm, assessed at
S257; deed IT. N Philander A Bowen
and wife; lihnr II C G, No. p, folio 29l
&c, land PaJrd
Due or State tax .. 90
g " Co. -. 406
Be- Violet-s acre land, part of
the Dstgil foyer Hrs. property, as
sessed at 800. No record reference.
Due for State tax..... IS
/" Co. ...... ! 50
Bresnahan, R E and NJ E-Lot and
buildings at Benedict, assessed at
$l2s5. l3t acres land and buildings
from Maggie Hall. assessed at $2S5;
deed from Louis c Carricof and wife;
liber G p, No. 81, folie 469; deed from
Charles I Davis; liber F B NJ, No. 80,
folio 4S9 sc. land record.
Due for State taxi. 10 40
Brooks, George-230 acres land and
buildings from Helen Mercer, assessed
at s3l99; deed fran Henry B Contee;
liber w NJ A, No. 81. folio 59i &c,
land record. Title now in Samuel
Stamp.
Due for State tax...... II 20
. " Co. " ~ so SIS
Locks, Joseph-4 acres land from
Ann Locks, assessed at 500; deed
from John Henry Locks; liber w NJ A
No. 81 folio 400 &c, land record
Due for State tax..... 80
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11


EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Branson. Emily acres land and
buildings near Du Bots, assessed at
$I5l. No record reference.
Due for State tax $500. 50
+" Co. q ... 239
Barber. George W-I0 acres land
and buildings near Gallant Green, as
sessed at s206. No record reference.
Due for State tax... 80
" Co. " 444
Burch, Stanley K-Automobile and
livestock, assessed at $3.50.
Due for State tax..... 9e
+" Co. F." $50. 4 43
Greenfield, James E-ss acres land
and buildings near Malcolm, from J
w Moore, assessed at 1862. No rec
ord reference.
Due for State tax 372
:. IS Co. /" 49,. 10 rs
Hawkins, Samuel lot and build
ings on Zekiah Swamp, assessed at
$3.50. Will of Josiah II Hawkins;
liber NJ T. No. IS, folio 36l, will rec
ord.
Due for State tax. 2lo
g g Co. q 947
johnson, Joseph P-Livestock and
vehicles, assessed at 1926.
Due for State tax...-. l04
60 f" Co. ..... 467
Mack, CeceliaE7 acres land and
buildings near Hughesville. No rec
ord reference.
. Due for State tax. 140
!" !" Co. . -. 629
Montgomery, Francis A-Livestock,
assessed at $3.50.
Due for State taxi. Y
Co. ..... b 03
Richards, F E-110 acres land and
buildings near Bryantown, assessed at
S2227;, deed from Christina G Coleman
and husband; liber C T, No. 80, folio
50 &c, land record.
Due for State tax...... SOC
Co. .... SO 81
Swami. Maggie-200 acres Ian d and
buildings. assessed at $3.50, deed from
Mary J Proctor ct al; liber ] S I, No.
Z, folio "A &c; deed from Martha A
Lane ct al; liber J S I, No. 7, folio 81
&c, land record. Title now in Francis
NJ Mclaughlin and Henry l. Bletzer;
liber W Nj A, No. 80, folio 403 &c,
Due for State tax..... s 80
~ " Co. 49,. 40 As
Yates. Joseph acres land near St.
Peters Church, assessed at 500; deed
from Thomas E Middleton and wife;
liber Il G c, No. %, folio 800 &c, land
Due for stsls tax...... IS
4 y = Go, = ~, LOS
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11

SEVENTH DlSTklCT.
Blanchard, Martin boo acres and
buildings, Pastures Enlarged, as
sessed at 1920. Deed from George p
Goff and wife; liber b G S, No. I, To-
lilo l4I, land record.
Due for State tax. -. 431
>. . Co. Z" :. 10 A
Blanchard, Edward E-240 acres
land and buildings, Pastures En-
largedi', assessed at s3340 Probably
deed from Ella V Blanchard to Martin
Buell.; liiber G A II, No. 4, folio 43l,
land record.
Due for State taxi. IS 10
. +" Co. ...... 80 10
Boswell, Hannah-57 acres land and
buildings near Pomonkey, assessed at
Sl051. Deed from Benjamin A Raw
lings; lber + d Nj, No. Is, folio ASS
&c, land record.
Due for State taxi. 368
" Co. " ...... 16 81
Brawner, Eleven-Lot and building,
part South Glymont subdivision, as
sessed $500. No record reference.
Due for State tax...... %
q Co. F" ...... 7g0
Carter, Emerline Hrs-25 acres land
and buildings, assessed $3.50. Deed
from John F Richardson and wife; IL
Der B G S, No. 4, folio 400 &c, land
record.
Due for State tax. 1893
4" Co. " -. $50
Chase, John Hrs-25i acres land and
buildings near Pomonkey, assessed at
s795. Deed from Edwin A Wilson. ct
al; liber F d NJ. No. Is, folio l76 &c,
land record.
Due for State tsx.,.... 27e
= +" 60, " ~, 1851
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11

Brown, Dorsey-2 acres of land and
buildings, near La Plata, assessed $49l;
deed IRON Robert +. thapman and
wife, Llber + ID NJ No. 10, foho 375 &c.
Due for State 1ax......S "a
Co. !" .... z "a
Mudd, Sydney Eco acres land and
bulldogs, part MAY Day" near La
Plata, assessed at $l623. House and
lot in La Plata, assessed at $4592; deed
iron VIM. Gilehrist, trustee, Liber b
6 S No. IL, folio COS; deed from II NJ
Hawkins, Liber J 5 1 No 8, folio 2S7;
deed from Amelia d Stonestreet, Liber
J I No. s, folio 2Sg; deed from I B
Farrall, Liber I No. 8, folio 373;
deed from School Commis sioners OF
Charles county, l,iber / No. 8, folio
5l4; deed from Vim I Maurice and
wife, Liber B & S No. 3. folio 663; deed
from P K Wills, Liber b G S No. Y,
folio 322
Due for State Sax ..... % 81
- Co. =" 800. LOG 10
Marshall. W H & Son Merchandise
in store on road La Plata to tisgah,
assessed at S725
Due for State Tax. 254
=" - Co. " ...... IL 46
Wilmer, Eleanor Mudd- Household,
livestock and vehicles, assessed at $3.50
Due for State Tax. II rs
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11

ziegler, Frederick-Ssi acres land
and buildings near Charlotte Hall, as
sessed at $733; deed from Horatio W
Flagg and wife; lber r C c, No. ,2s,
folio 3S7 d., land record. Title now
in Walter A Geblart).
Due To-. Stfte tax... 2T9
- Co. 4" ...... II 81
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11
SECOND DISTRICT.

Augustine, VIM i'll acres woodla p
and building from K V WEIGH Hrs, as
sessed at $1S5; coed from Sabina Nick
held ct al, Liber W NJ No. "a, folio 274
Due Tor state Tax. 275
- =. 20. ...... II Al
Barnes, Frank & Hester Harris-146
acres woodland; assessed atSll6S; will
OF Asa Simmons, Liber M I No. Is,
folio IL: also. see No. l443 Equity and
No..l6I4 Equity.
Due for State Tax..,... 400
" Co. 9 .... IL 46
Bell, Susie s acres land and build
ings near lronsides, part Two Loving
Brothers, assessed $500; deed from
Frances NJ Simmons and husband, Liber
w MA No. 33, folio S26
Due for State TAX. %
Co. g 49,. Ala
Banks, Gordon G-Lot No. rs Of C t
jenkins subdivision at Marbury, as
sessed at 500; deed from C I jenkins
ct al, Liber W M A No. "a. folio IS
Due for State Tax IS
+" Co. . .. 15s
Barnes, Eliza-4s acres lard, ''St.
Johns Trouble, on Nelson Point road
assessed at 1884. No record reference
Due for state state Tax. / So
Carter, George W-10 acres land and
buildings on road Ripley to Port To-
baeco, assessed at 1881; deed from r H
Maddox, Liber b G No. 10, folio 465
Due for State State Tex. g
Chase, Robert Livestock and We
hicles assessed at SIT
Due for State Tax. 81
'' :. Co. I" ... $50
Gray. Charles H-32 acres land and
buildings near Pisgah, assessed at $436
Probably will of Edward WEIGH.
Liber M 7 No. Is, folio 277; Virginia
Gray, wife OF Charles Il Gray
Due for State TAX. 50
- - Co. +" .... 6 SO
Highfield. Thomas E-2 acres land
and buildings as sessed at $500, on land
from Clayton E.. Posey; deed from
Clayton K Posey and wife, i.iber C P
No. 30. folio 466; title now in Lillian
M. Bicknell.
Due for State Taxi. 455
- Co. ... 20 81
Jackson, J ames Edward-5 acres land
and buildings, part Butts Property, !"
assessed at $1,000; deed from Thomas v
Kersey and wife. Liber w M A No. 81
folio 245 Title now in the Eastern
Shore Trust Company, a boey COPPER
ate. See No. 1866 Equity.
Due for State Tax -. so
- Co. ..... 10 50
jenkins, Mary c. Lot No. 81 and
buildings. part c 7 Jenkins sub divi-
sion at Marbury, assessed at $500; deed
from Victor F. Henderson and wife,
Liber " NJ A No. 81, folio $50
Due for State Tax. 10
:" . Co. .... 1851
Kelton, Gertie-11 acres woodland
and buildings nears Marbury, assessed
at 295; deed from Genevier Greer,
Liber Ii c c No. 26. folio 70
Due for State Tax. ! q
Mcdonald. Robert -AutcmobiIe as
sessed at $500
Due for State Tax. los
Proctor. John S & Wife 81 acres
land and buildings near Hill Top. as
sessed at S791; 3 deeds from John d
BraQun.er and wife, Liber B G No.
l3. folio 224; Liber d NJ No. 10, folio
All, and Liber F D NJ No. 10, folio Alb
Due for State Taxi. S88
D." I" Co. - ..... II 4S
Proctor, Be8jamin-23t acres land
and buildings near Pisgah, assessed at
S462; deco from + & Mattingly and
wife, Liber T D N 10. IS. folio 562
Due or State Isx...... 81
- " Co. ...... z 30
X Posey, Mrs. Ela-29 acres land as
sessed at sll5; deed from Thomas P
Simmsns and wife to Ella NJ Posey,
Liter W n A No. "a. folio 225
Duefar state fax.,,,.. 81
Co " ,,..t $50
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11
FIFTH DISTRICT

Brown, Daniel-4 acres land and
building, part of The Glebe, assessed
at sass; no record reference
Due for State Tax 500. l SO
" Co, .. Z 10
Briscoe, Ethel = 2 acres land and
buildings, part Lancaster Purchase,
assessed ct $204; deed from Frne.t
Green, Liber g 2 No. 30, folio 343
Due for State Tax. q
- - ca % 323
Chase, Lloyd W-Livestock and We
hicles assessed at sl57
Due for State Tax. IS
% Co. ... 24S
Carson, Geo. H-Automobile assess
ed at $500
Due for Stste Tax -. los
" Co. -. 474
Dyson. Elmer-Automobile assessed
at $500
De for State Tax. los
- " CO. . 474
Davis. wilbam-2s acres land and
buildings, Part Glebe. assessed at $5l6
deed from Jennie A TODD ct al TO Jas
W DAVIS, Liber H C e No. 26, A. 1871.
Due Tor Stat Tax. ..... 2 76
:. :" Co. +" -. IL as
Proctor. Enamel ;. Livestock and
vehicles assessed at $3.50
due for Stats Taxi. SO
. /" Co. ...... 2S
Turner, John WI acre land and
buildings Port Ditchley" assessed
at Sl92; no record reference.
Due for State Tax...... 80
% i" Co. " ...... 81 SO
Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-05-11
Treasurer's Sale
..-oF....
Property Of Delinquent
Taxpayers

Bv virtue Of authority vested in me
as Treasurer Of Charles county, l will
proceed to sell. at the Court House
door, in La Plata, Md, on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
GERMAN RESISTANCE BRINGS THREAT FROM FRANCE
Harmony in Ranks Of House Democrats Is Now Assured

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-The way was paved for continuation of the present democratic leadership of the House in the next Congress by announcement today by Repre- sentative John N Garner of Texas that he would not be a candidate for minority leader.
 During the long absence of Rep resentative Kitchin of North Caro- lima, Representative Finis J. Gar rett of Tennessee has been acting as democratic leader by designation of his party. As ranking member of the ways and means committee, by virtue of the illness of MT. Kitchin, MT. Garner often has been mentioned as a possible candidate as party head, but in a formal state- ment he declared that in the inter- est of party harmony he would not seek the honor.
 Should MT. Kitchin decline ir the next Congress to seek the lead ership, democrats said today, MT. Garrett would be named without opposition. while MT. Garner will head the democratic forces on the ways and means committee, which, after March A., will have much larger democratic representation. In announcing his determination to stay out of the race, MT. Garner
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
SEARCH BEING MADE FOR VICTIMS BODIES TIN SEAPLANE WRECK

KEY WEST. Fla, Jan. l4.-With the exception of Mrs. Edwin F. At kins, Jr.. the condition of the five survivors of the seaplane, Columbus, which was wrecked and sunk in the ocean 2l miles northwest of Havana yesterday afternoon, with the loss of four lives, was reported as not se- rious tonight.
 Mrs. Atkins, whose husbapd, New York capitalist. and their two chill dren. Edward r. IT, 4 years old, and David, 3. perished in the wreck. is suffering from exposure and fears were expressed lest pneumonia might develop However, it was stated there was no immediate danger She is staying at the home of friend here and apparently has not yet real ized lthe full extent of the tragedy, 1t was said. Miss Grace Mcdonald of New York was the other victim of the accident.
 otto Abram of New York. Miss Julia Haverty of New York, w. F. Miller, pilot, and Harold Thompson. mechanician of the seapIane, were out of the hospital today.
 A search lasting the entire day was made today for the wreckage of the seaplsne and the bodies of the victims, but without avail Darkness tonight caused suspension of the search, which will be continued, al though since tEe sea in the vicinity of the wreck.is infested with sharks little hope recovering the bodies is held out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
FIRE DAMAGE AT HOTEL AND CONFECTIONERY IS ESTIMATED AT $5,0O0

Fire originating in the rear of the Martha Washington Confectionery 307 Twentieth street, norts, caused considerable damage to the establish ment and a furry of excitement among the guests of the U. S. Hotel, occupying the two floors above, at 6 to both establishments including buildings and stock will probably reach 5000.
 After destroying a portion of the walls of the confectionery. the flames ate their way through the walls and to the third story of the hotel, where a portion of the floor ing was burned. Guests who were in their rooms in the hotel began pour ing down the front steps upon the first appearance of smoke causing the alarm to be spread.
 Both the night and day shifts of the fire department were on the scene due to the fact that the men were changing shifts when the alarm came in. They were forced to work in the hotel under great difficulties due to the dense smoke that filled the corridors.
 During the rainfall of Sunday aft ernoon several other fire alarms were received. one to Fourth avenue and Twenty-fourth street. where an automobile, the owner of which was not located, became ignited from a short circuit. Although the rain was falling in torrents, the vehicle was practically ruined by the fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
REALTORS, FEN ROUTE TO NATIONAL MEETING, WILL BE ENTERTAINED

A special meeting of the Bir- mingham Real Estate board has been called for Monday night at o'clock in the main dining room of the Tut wiler hotel for the purpose of enter taining visiting realtors from Kansas City. Chicago and other points west en route to the national convention at Jacksonville, Fla.
 According to announcement of Sec retary o. H. Horton, the visitors will arrive in Birmingham at 3:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, and fleet of au tomobiles has been engaged to take them over the district, returning to the hotel for dinner at o'clock.
 The dinner program will include several talks on real estate by men of national reputation. among them being Fred Porter, publisher of the National Real Estate Journal.
 All realtors of the district are urged to be present and give the vis iiting realtors warm welcome, and are also requestion to phone the secretary of the real estate board for reservation and further information.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
MANY BICYCLE THEFTS REPORTED TO POLICE

+ An average of half a dozen reports are received daily by local police on stolen bicycles, which in at least half of the instances are stolen by sneak thieves, through utter negligence of the owners of the various vehicles.
 Sunday was an exceptional day. Only two bicycle thefts were report ed, those of Andrew Boston, 9O5 Six tyseventh street, north, and w. J.. Carter, 921 Third avenue. north. Neither had been recovered late Sun day night.
 Patrolmen working the streets during the early morning hours re- ported the finding of several bi- cycles each night laying up against the curbstones or else standing in front of business establishment. where they have been left by the owner or discarded there by the thieves. There are several bicycles at headquarters that have not been identified although officers are con fident they are stolen property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
SENATE PR0BERS TO
 TURN ATTENTION TO SMALL OIL COMPANIES

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The in vestigation into prices and conditions in the oil industry being made by Senate manufacturers sub-com mittee beaded by Senator LaFollette. republican, Wisconsin. will be turned this week into the independent field.
 The inquiry since it's resumption last month has dealt exclusively with the companies belonging 10 what is commonly known as the Standard group--companie which were af- fected by or grew out of the dis solution by the supreme court of the Standard Oil Corporation in 1911. Beginning tomorrow, however and continuing throughout the week. the subcommittee will devote its ,atten- ton to companies outside of the Standard group.
 Several representatives of inde pendent companies which have com- plained of the practices of the Stand ard corporations, will be heard to- morrow and probably Tuesday, after which the subcommittee will hear Harry F. Sinclair head of the Sim clair Consolidated Oil corporation and other concerns. Considerable interest will attend the hearing of Mir. Sin clair. especially if the testimony touches upon the surroundings of the lease of the Teapot Dome naval oil reserve by the interior department to the Sinclair interests. Inquiry into this controversy will be started soon by the Senate public lands committee and for that reason it is expected that Senator LaFollette and his com mittee will not go far into the Tea pot Dome matter.
 Other independents will be put on the stand after MT. Sinclair, and next week the investigation will go back to the Standard group. with several days set aside to hearing the Stand ard Oil Company of Indiana, one of the largest of the group.
 Chairman LaFollejte said today that 1t was the aim of the committee ts oopclIda rlv E'ehriIary
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
UNION HEADS DECIDE TO CONTINUE STRIKE rUP0N A., B. & A. ROAD

CHICAGO. Jan. 14.-Chiefs of the 16 standard railroad unions meeting here today voted to continue in definitely the strikes on the Missouri and North Arkansas and the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroads.
 These strikes, involving members of all 16 unions, were called early in 1921, after the unions declared that the roads had cut wages without the authority of the United States rail- road labor board.
 Considerable pressure from out side sources has been brought to bear of late to have these strikes called off, l.. J. Manion of St. Louis, sec- retary of todays meeting and head of the telegraphers, said. We met here today to consider the matter from every angle and decided that we could do nothing except to continue the strikes indefinitely,
 Warren E. stone < chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers, presided at today's meeting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
FARM AID BILLS. COME TO FRONT IN SENATE THIS WEEK
Shipping Measure to Be Laid Aside Temporarily --Sever- eraI Weeks Debate
 Is Promised
By Associated Pres.

WASHINGTON. Jans 14.-Farm credits legislation comes to the fore tomorrow in the Senate with prospects of indefinite discussion.
 With two bills-tae Capper and the Lenroot-Anderson measure-on the program, the former is to be taken up with general support prom ised. Strong opposition for the Lem root-Anderson bill, because of it's government aid plan, is predicted.
 The administration shipping bill will give way, republicans leaders have promised, 10 the farm credits bills. Technically, however. the ship ping measure will be held before the Senate as it's unfinished busi- ness" but il is planned by unanimous consent to lay it aside daily for con sideration of the agricultural pro- posals.
 This parliamentary plan has been agreed upon by administration leaders to safeguard the shipping bills position, but indications are that 1t will not be discussed again for several weeks.
 Seek to Prevent Vote
 US opponents Sllll are uttel HliicN to prevent vote before adjourn ment of Congress. and. if possible, have the bill die with adjournment, but administration leaders likewise are determined to press the bill viz orously after disposal of the farm credits and remaining appropriations. Chairman Mclean of the Senate banking committee. which reported the two revised farm credits bils is expected to open the agricultural relief debate. The Capper bill pro- vides for formation of cooperate credit associations and also for in creased loans to farmers under the present farm loan system. Induce ments to small banks to enter the federal reserve system also are pro- vided.
 wide range of debate on the credits legislation is in prospect covering past administration of the federal reserve and farm loan boards. European markets and credits and a multitude of other subjects, eX- pected to delay vote t5r several weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15
POSTAL RECEIPTS IN INDUSTRIAL CITIES SHOW LARGE INCREASE
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Washington, D. C., Jan. II

December postal receipts in 50 in dustrial cities made. an average gair of ITS per cent over December, 1921 the post office department officially announced yesterday.
 This is regarded as unusually sig nificant in view of the fact that in December. 1922, there were five Sun days.
 The only southern cities reporting decreased receipts were San Antonio and Tampa. .4
 The collections in certain other southern cities follow: Birmingham s103,129.1S. as against $92,0S6.53. a gain of 11.99 per cent; Savannah s4e,330s7, as against s44,3o7.20, a gain of 4.57 per cent; Columbia, $35.- 977.S5. as against $33,207 a gain of S.34 per cent.
 Percentage of gains in other south ern cities included in the list fol- lows: Norfolk. 3.57; Little Rock. 7.57 Charlotte, l434; Knoxville, 14.60 Shreveport, 26.S4: Jackson, 2.41.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-15

said he and his friends would be relieved of possible embarrassment of fight within the party.
 If the democratic party is to be useful to the country in the Sixty eighth Congress, he said Tn a formal statement, "it must be united and able to register it's full strength Anything that con tributes to party division is hurtful, and I am not willing. even remote ly, to contribute to such division. Therefore, in the interest of the party harmony, l do not expect to become a candidate for the minor ity floor leadership of the House in the Sixty-eighth Congress.
 q have ever tried, and especially in the Sixty-eighth Congress, to bring about solidarity of the demo- cratic organization in the House. Having contributed what could in that direction, I feel very keenly the importance of being in position to continue that work. appreciate fully the confidence and loyalty manifested by my friends in urg' ing my selection as minority floor leader in the next Congress, but believe I am acting for the best interest of the party in declining to enter any contest for the floor leadership"