Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
G. o. p. REVOLT BREWING.
Longworth Held Far From Certain of
Speakership as Result Of Break.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Selection by the Republican caucus of
Representative Longworth for Speaker
by no means insures his election by the
next House of Representatives. It is ap-
parent already that a revolt inside the
Republican ranks will throw some votes
to Representative Garner, who will be
the Democratic candidate for Speaker
There are several Republicans who
would like to see the Democrats take
responsibility for legislation in the
House. Also grievances on the part Of
some Of the Western Republicans are
being accumulated in opposition to the
Eastern Republican leadership. For in
stance, some of the Kansas members
have been protesting against the failure
Of the regular leaders to help put
through an embargo against oil imports.
McGugin Backs Garner.
Reports are current that Representa-
tive-elect McGugin, Republican, from
the third Kansas district, would vote
for Mr.. Garner. With a margin narrow
a change of a vote or two may give the
Democrats control of the House. This
would mean changes in committee
chairmanshipS all along the line.
Republicans are expected to organize
the Senate and retain their committee
chairmanships because already many of
the insurgent Republicans have bsen
given important committee posts. It is
likely therefore that all the insurgent
Republicans will vote with the Senate
regulars on matters of organization.
With the vote so close in the House
Of Representatives, however, the alb
Sence OF one or two msn or the death
Of some of the members may make the
whole question of organization doubtful
until Congress actually convenes.
Meanwhile, in these last few days of
the present session several members of
the House, recognizing the precariouS-
ness OF Speaker Longworth'S position,
are trying to pile up problems on his
doorstep. And the Speaker, who is one
Of the most astute politicians in the
country, has been warding of his oppo-
sition adroitly. Thus there would have
been real attack on his leadership If
he had not sided with the. overwhelming
sentiment Of the House on veteran legis-
lation recently. He had to choose be-
tween the administration and his own
position In the party, so he chose the
latter horn of the dilemma.
Effect on Campaign.
The speakership contest and the
whole question Of organizing the House
of Representatives will have an effect
upon the 1882 political campaign. If
the Republicans are relieved Of the re-
SponS1bi1ty In the House they will not
have to go before the people in defense
OF the legislative program. But they
will be able to argue that f they had
the power things might have been diff
ferent. The Democrats would then put
forward the plea that they need pos
session of the executive branch of the
Government, as well as the Upper
House of Congress, in order to carry
out thea legislative ideas.
For the next several months there
will be a good deal of jockeying back
and forth among the political leaders.
Many Republicans question the wisdom
Of trying to obtain control of the House
because Of the fact that they will not
be able to put through any party pro-
gram. Campaign ammunition very
largely will be manufactured when the
new Congress meets in December.
Copyright, 1917