Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-29
c. O.P. RACE CLOSE
FOR HOUSE LEADER
TiISon or Smell Expected to
Win at Conference
Tomorrow.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
An intense intra-party struggle is
forecast for the Republican conference
tomorrow over the selection of man
to lead the administration forces in the
next House.
The bitterest campaign that has been
waged by the Republicans in years over
the selection of a speakership nominee
probably will terminate in the election
of either Representative Tilson of
Connecticut, or Representative Smell of
New York
The contest has been so close and
intense, however, that there is a pos
sibility the party may seek a COM
promise candidate.
The prize actually is the minority
leadership, for in ell probability the
Democrats will organize the House with
their united majority.
Democrats in Harmony.
Harmonious on all important organ
ization issues, the latter party expects
to elect Representative Garner of
Texas to the speakership, and to name
Representative Rainey of Illinois as its
floor leader.
Republican SpeakerShip campaigning
began last March when Nicholas Long
worth of Ohio died. For almost dec
ade he had been the party's harmo-
nicer. He was renominsted for Speaker
for the fourth time at party confer
ence last February. Tilson was named
floor leader then
Smell, chairman of the Rules Com
mittee, took the lead over a field Of
about 10 contenderS and held 1t for
many months. But when through
death and special elections the Demo-
Gratis recently assumed a majority to
place themselves in position to con-
troll the House, a swing of sentiment
toward T1lSon was seen.
The outcome of tomorrow's confer
ence is expected to be close. Several
favorite son candidates have added to
the confusion. A number of State
delegations remain uncommitted.
Others have split.
Favcrite Sons Backed.
The Pennsylvania Republican delega-
tion at a meeting Friday gave Smell IS
and Tilson IL votes. Representative
Britten of Illinois was Endorsed yester-
day by his State delegation, but indi-
cations are that the Is Republican
members will eventually divide their
strength between the New Yorker and
Tilson
Michigan united behind its favorite
son-Representative Carl E. Mapes-at
its conference yesterday. This delega-
ton Of IL plans to support Mapes in
definitely. They hope the Smell Tilson
contest will result in a deadlock and
that Mapes will receive the nomination
through compromise.
It requires a majority Of those pres
ent at Republican conference for the
election Of a speakership nominee.
About IS of the 214 Republicans are
expected to be absent, including mem
bers Of the Wisconsin delegation who
bolted the last conference
Tilson claims about 100 members are
backing him. Smell believes that after
the favorite son voting has ended, he
will be able to muster a majority and
secure the nomination.
Several ballots are expected to be
taken before the outcome CT the con-
test will be known
Ohio plans to nominate Represent
ative Cooper, while Kansas is sponsor
ing Representative Hoch. Iowa Repub-
1ican members have indicated they
would support either Ramseyer or
Dowell. Other favor;te sons include
Representatives Luce of Massachusetts,
Barbour of California, and Clague of
Minnesota.
Tilson expects substantial support in
New England, the Middle West and the
Far West. Smell is depending upon the
New York and New Jersey delegations,
besides the Pennsylvania and Illinois
and widely scattered support.