Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-24
.RA|NEYS ELECTION
AS LEADER SEEN
Illinois Member Will Have 100
of 217 Democratic Votes,
Greenwood Predicts.
BY WILL p, KENNEDY.

With a positive statement by Rep
resentative Joseph w. Byrns of Ten
nessee, prospective chairman of the
House Appropriations Committee, upon
his return to the Capital today that
he SIS not and never has been a candi-
date for floor leader in the incoming
Congress, all Indications point to the
election of Representative Henry T.
Rainey of Illinois
Followirs statement made yester-
day by Representative John McDufie
of Alabama. Democratic whip in the
last Congress, that he has withdra wn
from the contest in the interests of
party harmony,~a canvass was made
which shows, according to Representa-
tive Arthur H. Greenwood of Indiana, a
staunch supporter of Mr.. Rainey, that
the veteran Illinois meA1ber will have
at least 100 votes out of the total of
2l7 Democrats entitled to vote in the
Democratic caucus on'Oecember s."
All Opposition Removed.
The announcements by Representa-
tiveS Byrns and McDuffie. Mr. Green
wood and other Democratic leaders at
the Capitol today said removes all
serious opposition to Mr.. Rainey and
leaves no doubt of his election. We
believe he will receive such a substan-
tial majority as will be fitting tribute
to his long years of service for the party
and his eminent qualification for the
post of floor leader"
In announcing that he is not will
ing to allow his friends to urge him
for the floor leadership, Representa-
tive Byrns explained that "qualif1ca-
ton is, Of course, prime conSidera-
ton" and that in his opinion no Sec
ton of the country has a monopoly on
that score" He emphasized that the
Democratic party is national and look
ing for national support in its appeal to
all the States" and says that IF the
distinction of Speaker is going to the
South, l find the opinion general,
among Southern members as well as
those from the North. East and West.
that other sections should be recognized
in the selection of both whip and floor
leader"
Never Has Baen Candidate.
Regarding his own position in the
coming Congress, Representative Byrns,
upon his return to the Capital today,
issued this statement
am uOI ana never nave DScll u
candidate for majority leader. Upon
the organization of the next House by
the Democrats l become chairman OF
the Committee on Appropriations. I
do not believe that any other position
in the House, except that of Speaker,
is of greater importance than the chair
manShip of this committee, nor does
any other position offer so great an
opportunity for real service. 1 have
served on that committee for 20 years
and would naturally be loath to leave
it. 1 think may be permitted, with
out feeling presumptuOus, to Say that
my experience on this committee will
enable me to render service to the whole
country. !"
II am much more concerned over
what legislation shall be proposed by
the Democrats for the relief of the
country than I am AS to what position
I may hold in the next House"
O'COnnor Asks Support.
While the supporters of Representa-
tive Rainey were counting a substantial
majority for him today, they and all
other members of the House received a
form letter from Representative John
j. O'Connor of New York, addressed to
My Dear Colleague" under date of
November %, soliciting support of his
own candidacy, in which he said: TIRE
spective of anything you may have seen
in some newspaper articles, 1 am can
didate for majority leader and have
the support of my own delegation in
addition to the support of many other
members from the North and South
Assuring you / shall appreciate your
support"