Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
Garner Summons New Mem
bers to Meet Here Febru-
airy % on Organization.
MINORITY PARTY PLANS
FIGHT TO GAIN CONTROL
Candidates for Speaker and Leader
Expected to Be Chosen
at Session.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Democratic Representatives are laying
plans to capture control of the next
House, but the Republicans are rearing
a defensive bulwark which they expect
to withstand all assaults.
The 216 Democrats elected to the
next House have been called to caucus
in Washington, February 20, by Rep
resentative Garner, the party floor
leader.
On the other hand. Speaker Long
worth expects the present Republican
organization to hold over until next De-
cember, If an extra session Is not called
With a bare majority, 21S seats, Re-
publican leaders hope to keep control
Several, however, are inclined to feel
their party would BE- in better politi-
cal situation In 1882 If the Democrats
were permitted to assume responsibility
of legislating under Republican Presi-
dent.
Purpose Of Caucus.
While Gamers purpose in calling the
early caucus is to line up new Repre-
sentatives in the 81 seats gained in the
November election, the selection of a
leader will be deferred until the new
Congress convenes either in regular or
special session.
However. the candidate for Speaker
probably will be selected. In the event
of failure of Democrats to capture con-
troll, he automatically becomes minority
leader,
Most Of Gamers colleagues expect
virtually no opposition to his candidacy
for the party selection as Speaker.
Considerable maneuvering already has
taken place in Democratic ranks over
eligibles for the leadership, should
Democrats organize. But the campaign
ing has been conducted gingerly In view
of the uncertainty.
McDunie Of Alabama, the minority
whip, for leader. Another faction
sponsors Representative Byrns of Ten
nessee, the ranking minority member
Of the House Appropriations Committee.
Many Democrats are of the opinion the
final contest will be between them.
Two other outstanding possibilities
Bankhead Of Alabama and Crisp of
Georgia-are being considered by their
friends. Although Bankhead, a mem
Der of the Rules Committee, has not
actively campaigned, there are many
who favor him.
Because Garner Is from Texas. an
other potential leader-Rayburn of
Texas, ranking minority member of the
Interstate Commerce Committees
eliminated. Rankin of Mississippi has
solicited support from incoming mem
bers.
Generous committee assignments for
new Representatives from Northern
States virtually have been assured by
the Democrats The minority members
Of the Ways and Means Committee, con-
shutting the Democratic Committee on
Committees, have adopted a policy to-
ward that end. This will be discussed
at the caucus.
At the same time, Northwestern Re-
publican ProgreSsives who have failed
to agree with their party leaders, have
made oyertures to Democrats on or
ganization matters. Garner indicated
they would be welcomed on a Demo-
cratic basis, but apparently feels they
should come to his side of the fence.
Plan Real Battle.
The lone Farmer-Laborite- of
Minnesota-may figure prominently in
determining which party will be sue
cesSful.
Should the Democrats organize, the
present trtumvirate of Republicans
LongWorth, Tilson of Connecticut, floor
leader; Smell of New York, chairman
OF the Rules Conmittee-would be
broken.
This group and other administration
followers are stoutly opposed to surren-
dering control to the Democrats, with
out terrific struggle. The Republicans
have steered the House since the Sixty
fifth Congress.