The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1930-07-31
New Leaders Due
IN Politics Of State
Reed and Sims Pass Out
of Picture Fight on
fo1. Control
pv RICHARD HAMILTON

and Mark Reed, now seems certain
and the noteworthy change prob
ably will be recorded when filings
close on August 9. Several other
representatives of statewide stand
inc will not seek reelection, but
the retirement of Mr.. Sims and Mr..
Reed will make the big political
news. inasmuch as their passing
vill necessitate new leadership and
: new organization for the house,
which can not be established with
out considerable testing and clash
ing Of personal powers and politi-
cal talents.
The retirement of Sims and Reed
has been heralded several times,
hut This observer is inclined to be-
lieye that they finally have decided
TO step aside. Mr.. Reed is broken
M by the recent tragic death OF
his son. Burdened by many respon-
abilities Mr.. Reed was gradually
shifting management of his log
sinr business to his son, whose
death was a hard blow to the IA
ther. So it is easy to understand
Reeds retirement from legisla-
tive politics. Mr.. Sims, notwith-
standing a deepest love for the ups
and downs of the legislative game,
has been talking of quitting for
several years, but his constituents
would raise plea for his return,
making it easy for him to change
his mind. Now, however, Mr.. Sims
has sent word that he will support
another candidate, young engin-
eer of Port Townsend, whom ne
will train as his successor.
So, after Is years of combined
rule often attacked as ssbossism"
they seemingly will pull out to-
gether. Of course they may yet
change their minds, especially
Reed, but the prospects are they
will pull out together. Anyway, it
is unlikely that Sims will back
track after telling some young fell
low to file for his seat.
Three other representatives list
ed for retirement are:
Floyd B. Danskin of Spokane,
speaker in the 1925 legislature. Mr..
Danskin, upon marrying two years
ago, talked of quitting the legisla-
ture to concentrate on his law bus
mess. He also moved out of. his
district. Moreover, Danskin prob
ably would not care to return with
Sims gone. So he probably means
to retire.
c. W. Ryan of Clark county, the
chairman of the roads and bridge
committee. Mr.. Ryan belongs TO
the old order, which has ruled be-
fore the coming of the Hartleyites,
and ne has not been happy on the
roads job since he lost the help of
ex-senator doc" Carlyon.
Judson Faiknor of Seattle, one
OF the most promising youngsters
In the legislature. Mr.. Falknor has
capacity for law-making, intelli-
gent, capable of making clear
and convincing presentation, but
ne doesn't like to take it on the
chin, being inclined to sulk in de-
feat. He clashed with Sims, lost
political respect for Reed-when
Reed failed to stay with the anti
hartley majority. Yet, if convinc-
ed that Sims and Reed were out,
Faiknor might make Iast-minute
dash for the filing office.
With Sims and Reed dropping
out, 1t will be interesting to watch
the development of new leadership.
1t Is too early to pick new lead
ers, but 1t is not too early to spec
uiate and probably the outstand-
ing prospect is that the next house
Wlll operate under dry leadership.
both Sims and Reed are listed as
vets and their retirement will
make it easier for those who are
WORKING for dry control of the
legislature. Consequently, it would
1ot De surprising to see Speaker
Ed Davis of Columbia county,
Ralph Knapp of Seattle, an ex-
speaker; Ed Templeton and George
Calmoack, both of Snohomish, and
o'ner dry members of the young
mems brigade, come to the front
o1 the organization that will be
ouile to succeed the Sims-Reed
combination. OF course there will
ue plenty Of conflicts, quarrels,
aea!s, etc, while the new order is
taking form.
republican voters OF Seattle,
presumably the wettest spot in
~asnlngton, will pass ON prohi5i-
ion and the leadership of Presi-
aent Hoover in the September pri-
mary In other words, the republic
vans OF Seattle and Kitsap county,
tyilnlng the first congressional lis
~, VIII hold a referendum on the