Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-29
WESTINGHOUSE
LETTER e
3NN o.
BY RODNEY BUTCHER
NEA Snruicn Writer


WASHINGTON-It was one of
Speaker Nick Longworth's numerous
admirers who first called your cor
respondents attention to the fact
that he had lost what she called
his tummy.
Between sessions, it appears, he
golfed and hiked off perhaps as
much as 20 pounds Just now he is
somewhat concerned over his in
ability to exercise in the afternoon,
when the house is in session, and
finds the excess weight beginning to
creep back upon him.
But, while others ride horseback,
this very amiable and, popular man
and his famous spats often take long
walks through Rock Greek park
Thus far, Speaker Nick has acquired
no new regular walking companion.
For years he walked all over the
place with Senator Jimmy Wadsworth
OF New York and for a time Con-
gresham Crumpacker of Oregon ac-
companied them. Wadsworth lost his
seat in the Senate last year and
returned to New York. In the sum-
mer Crumpacker committed suicide.
Now Longworth generally walks alone
One hears so many stories these
days which center on Governor AL
Smith of New York that one can't
tell whether any of them are more
important than such matters as
Speaker Nick's weight or not.
For instance, a tale comes from
a strong center of anti-Smith influ-
Ience to the effect that his enemies
at last believe they have something
ION" Smith 1t is whispered gleefully
that soon after the first of the year,
the mouthpiece chosen to spill the
evidence against Smith will begin to
spout Smith-haters hope to ruin his
chances for the Democratic nomina-
ton.
One hears so many things in this
great gossip mart. If this particular
report is true it will mean that
your correspondent had good adj
vance tip on an important news
break. If the attack on Smith doesn't
develop as predicted it will be only
another indication of the searching
scrutiny which is being applied to
the New York governors public and
private life. There is a minority in
this country which hates him bit
terly and will continue to do so,
though the relative strength of the
pro-Smith element and the anti
Smith element remains to be deter
mined
There have been many attacks
on Smith, but the man has display
ed a remarkable genius for emerg-
ing unscathed and delivering some
terrific clouts at his attackers. Every
New York Republican leader who
has grappled with Smith has been
driven to cover and when Charles
Evans Hughes chose not to be a
candidate the organization couldn't
find Republican in all that great
state who could even function
as a favorite son 10 hold the New
York delegation together in next
June's national convention.
Some attempt seems to be in pro-
gress to convince AL that he ought
to make a supreme magnificent ges-
ture by withdrawing while at the
peak of his strength at the Demo-
cratic convention. 1t sounds rather
silly, perhaps, but all sorts of at
tempts will be MADE to wing Smith
by persuasion or black -jacking.
A certain amount of smoke still
surrounds his chances nomination.
Nearly all Republicans seem to think
that he will be chosen, but many
drys and southern Democrats here
still concede him no more than a
bare chance The most that can now
be said is that he has a long lead.