Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-27
PROGRESSIVE BLOC
Of G. D. P. IN HOUSE
OPPOSING C|LLET7

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-The
progressive bloc among Republicans
in the house reiterated their
intention of supporting Representa-
tive Cooper, of Wisconsin, for speak
er, in opposition to Representative
Gillett, of Massachusetts, while every
indication was given that Representa-
tives Longworth, of Ohio, and Ora.
ham, of Illinois, would go into the
Republican conference next Saturday
as candidates for leader.
During the coming week the pro-
gressives, who claim control of about
twenty votes, expect to hold confer
ences to draft their demands in def
mite languages. They have an
nounced their intention of seeking to
block the reelection of Mr.. Gillett
unless they are given recognition in
committee assignments, sufficient, in
their opinion, to insure consideration
of their legislative proposals, and
are assured that the rules of the
house will be ''liberalized.'
Thus far the group, which is made
up mainly of Wisconsin representa-.
tives, has Interested itself only in
the speakership as a means of OBJ
tanning concessions and has taken
no stand, as unit, in the leadership
fight.
Graham Men at Work
On the other hand, the supporters
of Mr.. Graham are devoting them
selves solely to the advancement of
his candidacy. Many of them have
announced their intention of voting
for Mr.. Gillett for speaker.
Representative Hoch, of Kansas,
one of those managing the Graham
campaign, attacked Mr.. Longworth
today in a statement in which he
pointed out that both Mr.. Gillett and
Mr.. LongWorth, come from indus.
trial districts" T.,
Their immediate understanding
and concern" the statement said
"are naturally along that line. Both
are pronounced conservatives. Now
every one knows that, in the main,
the industrial sections of the coun-
try have prospered, while agriculture
has been passing through a deaden-
ing economic depression. This de-
preston is not of the farm alone,
but vitality affects the storekeepers,
the small business men generally of
the towns and small cities which are
a part Of the agricultural conmu-
nifty.
Now there is no legislative magic
wand which can dispense these Geo.
nomic ills, but congress must be
keenly sensitive to them, and do
III =
to help bring relief.
Mr.. Graham comes from an agri-
cultural district in one of the great
agricultural states of the middle
west, where the depression has been
greatest and the spirit of discomfort
ment most manifest.
Familiar With Needs
His familiarities have been with
farm interests and with the men and
businesses operating upon compare
lively small capital. He comes from
that atmosphere but with a DISPOSE
ton to be fair to wealth and
large industry. His supporters be-
lieye that his selection would give
better balance to the organization,
better representation to all sections,
sentiments and schools of thought,
and be an assurance to the people.
of the country, east and west alike
Democratic leaders OF the house
continued today to make 6rganiza-
ton plans which are expected to
take final form at the Democratic
caucus next Saturday night. Cordell
Hull, chairman Of the Democratic
national committee, who will return
to the house this session, as a repre-
sentative from Tennessee, held con-
ferences during the day with various
leaders, including Representative
Garrett, of Tennessee, who was act
ing minority leader in the last con-
gress, and Garner, of Texas, rank
ing Democrat on the ways and means
committee.
One report in circulation at the
capitol was that the Democrats in
tended, in re-assigning members to
the ways and means committee, to
drop Representative Martin, of Lou
isiana, who is regarded by some
members of his party as 'protec-
ZIONIST" Mr.. Martin was a Demo
cratic leader of the committee dur
ing the last congress, but Joined,
with several of his Louisiana col
leagues, in the Republican demand
for duties on some commodities, nota-
bly, sugar.