Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-04
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CONTROL
MEANS SECTIONAL DISPUTE
Absences at Opening of Ses-
sion May Make Big
Difference.
Compromises to Give North
ern Members Places
Forecast.

eighth congressional district Of MIchi-
gan yesterday, where a wet Democrat
was elected in q longtime strong dry
Republican district, does not clinch the
control for the House for the Demo-
Gratis, who at present have q paper
plurality Of two. speculation was rife
about the Capitol today regarding the
probable details OF Democratic organi-
zation.
There are several factors that may
yet alter the political complexion Of the
incoming House. besides the possibility
OF other deaths In either party If
Republican Is elected in the NTH New
Jersey district 70 succeed the late Rep
resentative Ernest II. Alderman, as
seems probable, and IL Representative
Paul j. Kvale, the sole Farm-Labor, or
third party member OF the House, votes
with the Republicans, as also seems
probable, then the standing would be a
tie. with the Democrats and Republicans
each having 2l7 votes. This tie might
hold until the election in New Hamp-
shire OF q successor to the late Rep
resentative Fletcher Hale, which will
undoubtedly 60 Republican.
Illinois Fight vital.
The decision by the House itself as to
whether Peter c. Granata, Republican,
or Stanley H. Kunz, Democrat. is en-
titled TO the seat from the eighth Illi-
noiS district viii have an important
bearing, but this decision will not be
made until well along in the session In
the meantime Granata having been
given the certificate OF election last Fall
VIII probably be seated pending the out
come OF this contested election case.
But the figuring. on the closest
margin in history, that the Democrats
now hold q plurality of two, is not
at all conclusive and may be easily
upset. The records show that there
has never been q full attendance at
the opening Of any Congress-death.
serious illness, illness of the family of
one or more members, many unfore-
seen events may prevent either the
2l7 Democratic members or the 2l5
Republican members from voting when
the House meets to organize. There
has been q threat that some membtrs
will deliberately stay away. 1t has
been said that some Progressive Repub-
licans win not be present to help the
Republicans organize and it has also
been said that some Democrats con-
template staying away to prevent the
responsibility being thrust upon the
Democrats. This decision, however, is
more likely to be one of chance than
Of deliberate action.
The threat Of absentees complicating
the problem of organizing the House
has caused search to be made as to
whether pairs" can be arranged be-
tween a Republican and Democratic
member, as Is often done during Ses-
sions of the House, to protect party in
terestS by matching one absent vote
against another. 1t has been definitely
established that pairs" cannot be rec
ognized when the House meets to Or
ganize. The decision is based on the
fact that pairs" are authorized by the
House rules and there are no House
rules when the Speaker is being elected
and are later brought in by committee
TO which this task is specifically desig-
mated.
Vigorous Contests Seen.
If the Democrats organize the
House, as the returns today indicate
that they may, there is going to be
just as vigorous a contest for some
Of the offices among the Democrats
as there now is between Representa-
tive Bertrand Smell of New York and
Representative John @. Tilson of Con-
necticut for the Speakership if the
Republicans organize the House.
1t is generally conceded that Repre-
sentative John N. Garner of Texas will
not be opposed for the speakership un-
der Democratic control. But with Gar
ner from the South as Speaker, and
with more than 80 of the IS important
committees going under Southern chair
men under the seniority rule, there
will be hot fight 10 break up the
seniority rule, and some important
compromises will be made.
~kaA II Dew -
Tennessee has stood out as the most
likely Democrat for House leadership,
but he also Is from the South. and there
| is a strong sentiment to retain his
very efficient services as chairman of
the one supsr-committee of the House
APPROXIMATIONS. There has been a num-
Der of other candidates suggested for
floor leader. One of the first TO pre-
sent himself was Representative John
E. Rankin of Mississippi. Another sug-
gestion has been Representative John
McDuf1ie of Alabama, who was Demo-
cratic whip. Representative James w.
Collier of Mississippi is prospective
chairman of the Ways and Means Com
mittee after Garner becomes Speaker.
and the chairman of the Ways and
Means has usually been floor leader
during Democratic regimes. But these
are all Southern Democrats and
| the Northern Democrats are going TO
| demand some recognition In the Demo-
cratic organization.
Northerners Suggested.
! At least three Northern Democrats
have been suggested for Floor Leader,
Representative William A. Avres OF
Kansas, Representative Henry T. Raj
ney of Illinois, and Representative John
] j. O'Connor of New York. the latter
| is said to be Tammany'S candidate and
! one with whom the Southern Democrats
| are willing to compromise. Repre-
| sentative Rainey is a veteran House men,
Der, who for years was ranking Demo-
crat on the Ways and Means Commit
| tee and in line for the floor leadership
1 Representative Ayres had long been
recognized in the inner councils of the
| Democratic party and is member OF
| the Appropriations COMMITTEE. Some
Southern Democrats said today that
they had sounded out sentiment among
tn. Southern members and that there
is a strong sentiment in favor OF Rainey
for Floor Leader.
II the Democrats organize the House
one of the best known characters. VIII
liam Tyler Page. clerk. who on Decem-
Der 10 will round out so years of con-
tinuouS service at the Capitol, and for
the last 10 years as clerk. Will lose that
position, but will be given some other
patronage lob Already there are two
avowed candidates for clerk OF the
House. One of these is South Trimble,
who was clerk during the last Demo
cratic regime. when the late Champ
Clark was Speaker. The other is Ralph
Roberts from Rockport. Ind, who came
to Congress first as secretary TO Repre-
sentative William E. Wilson. then was
engaged for some time In State organi-
zation work and for the past five year:
has been a minority employe on The
floor of the House. Truman Ward, whC
! for the past 10 years has been in charge
of the minority room. has also been Sug-
gested by some Of his friends for clerl
Of the House, but he is too much inter