Evening star., 1923-05-31

The death of Representative Claude
Kitchin, the minority floor leader, re-
moves practically all doubt as to who
will be the democratic leader in
the next Congress. On account of
his protracted illness and recognized
serious condition. it has for a long
time been realized by both democratic
and republican members that Mr..
Kitchin would be unable to serve
actively as party leader in the incom-
ing Congress. There was also strong
reluctance to name any man as his
successor as long as Mr.. Kitchin
cared TO retain the office.
Representative Finis J Garrett Of
Tennessee, who has been acting
democratic leader during Mr.. Kitchin's
long illness. was in line for the posi- =
tion in his own right. and there is
very little doubt that he will be
chosen by the democratic caucus.
Friends of Representative John Gar
ner of Texas. one time democrat whip
had kept his name prominently men,
toned for the honor. Representative
| Garner, in "A formal statement, more
than a month before Congress I'd
Journed. let 1t be known that under
no circumstances would lie be Il cam
didate in opposition to Representa-
tive Garrett. and that he believed Mr.
Garrett would be the next hoo. leader
Prevented Serious Friction.
The news of Representative Kitch.
ms death spread gloom about the
Capitol and in official circles today
for It was recognized by both re
publican and democratic leaders thai
he was an unusually able man. anC
n nl -it ipy
even during times of the greatest
! interparty squabbling had repeatedly
prevented bitter feeling. While he
fought fearlessly and vigorously fol
party advantage, he never made tht
fight personal as between member:
of Congress.
While advices have not been re-
ceived either in the office of the SER
geant-at arms of the House or in Mr.
Kitchn's own office a TO the time
of the funeral, tentative arrange
ments have been made for the repre-
sentation of Congress in notable
| delegation at Mr.. Kitchins funeral
The absence of many members OF
Congress in Europe and on other
long trips will prevent some of his
prominent members of both House
and Senate from attending, the obse-
quies.
Large Delegation to Go.
Sergeant-at-Arm Joseph G. Rogers
is arranging that the official delega-
tion representing the House shall be
made up of the members of the ways
and means committee of which Rep
resentative Kitchin has for many
years been a member, and of which
he was chairman while the democrats
were in the majority, and the mem
bers of the North Carolina delega :
ton, of which Representative Kitchin
was chairman.
The delegation will include both
republican and democratic leaders
among them Representative Garrett
who will be Mr. Kitchin's successor
Representative Garner of Texas; Rep
resentative Cordell Hull of Tennessee
chairman of the democratic national
committee; and Representative Old
field of Arkansas, the democratic
whip
Among the prominent republicans
on the delegation will be Represen-
tative William r. Green of Iowa. who
will probably succeed Representative
Joseph w. Fordney as chairman of
the ways and means committee; Rep
resentative Nicholas Longworth of
Ohio, who is expected to be the next
House leader; Representatives Haw-
ley of Oregon; Treadway of Massa-
chusetts; Young of North Dakota
Bacharaeh of New Jersey and Tilsor
of Connecticut.