Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-09

the east room Of the White House on
February II, 1906, was a brilliant af-
fair, witnessed by nearly one thousand
notables. Congress adjourned for the
day to do honor to the tenth White
House bride and the Representative
from Ohio.
Genial Manner Disarmed Foes.
Mr.. Longworth confided later to
friends that he soon realized 1t was
somewhat Of a political handicap to be
identified as the "Son-in-law of T. R."
and the husband Of Alice Roosevelt"
Some Of his political foes sought to at
tach the unofficial title Of Grown
Prince" to young Longworth, but he
succeeded by his genial manner in dis
arming them, and, with realization
that II he was 70 forge ahead in the
political world, be must stand on his
own feet, struck out to ring up accom-
plishmentS as legislator on his own
account.
Family ties gave way to party al
legiance in the Fall Of 1912, when Mr..
Longworth became a candidate for re-
election. Seeking reelection to the
presidency was William H. Taft, a fell
low Cincinnatian, who was the Repub-
lican party candidate. Opposing him,
in addition to the Democratic candi-
date, Woodrow Wilson, was Mr.. Long
worth'S father-in-law, running on the
Progressive ticket.
With the encouragement of his wife,
the daughter Of Mr.. Roosevelt, the Gin
cinnati Representative declined to bolt
his party, supported Mr. Taft and went
down to defeat by a plurality Of 101
votes at the hands of a Democrat, who
triumphed because the normal Repub-
lican vote was split between Mr.. Long
worth and a candidate Endorsed by the
Bull MooSers. Two years later, how
ever, Mr.. Longworth returned to Con-
gress for an uninterrupted stay, which
eliminated in his successful candidacy
for the Speakership.
Popular With Colleagues.
Few men serving in Congress could
boast of greater popularity among his
colleagues than Mr.. Longworth. He had
political enemies, but they were rela-
lively few in comparison with his wide
circle Of friends, which included men of
all political compilations. One of his
"cronieS" was Representative Garner, a
Democrat from Texas, with whom he
served on the Ways and Means Com
mittee, while another was Representa-
tive Garrett of Tennessee, who, as the
Democratic leader, matched wits with
him on the floor when he was leading
the Republican forces.
Even the La Toilette insurgents,
whom he was instrumental in barring
from party councils for their refusal to
support the Republican ticket in 1924,
agreed that Nick" as he was known to
his friends, was "a good fellow"
He was unyielding in his attitude to-
ward party irregulars when plans were
made for the organization of the Sixty
eighth Congress, but he took the view
that important legislation frequently
| must be made the subject of compro-
mise. 1t was this opinion that led him
to approve modification of the Mellon
tax-reduction plan in the Sixty-seventh
Congress when the proposal was threat
! ened with defeat as result of a DEM
ocratic-Republican insurgent coalition.
Although consistent supporter of
the administration, Mr.. Longworth diff
fered from both Presidents Harding
and Coolidge on some issues, voting on
one occasion for the soldiers bonus.
which Mr.. Coolidge vetoed.
Good story Teller.
! Coming as he did from Cincinnati,
which repeatedly piled up substantial
majorities against prohibition, he OPP
posed the eighteenth amendment; but,
| recognizing sentiment reflected in Con-
gress for prohibition, he made no effort
as party leader to bring about multi
f1cation or modification.
Bald and portly and invariably good
natured, Mr.. Longworth had a knack
for telling anecdotes, and frequently
made use of a funny story to ward of
q thrust from his Democratic opposition
during oratorical skirmishes.
on the floor of the House he usually
could be seen pufnng q cigarette or
piDe. He usually did as he pleased al