Evening star., 1933-02-27
DEMOCRATS CALLED
TO NAME SPEAKER
Caucus Scheduled Thursday
for Party Members of
Next House.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
With rival candidates confident
and defiant, Democrats of the next
House will caucus Thursday to name
their Speaker-that body's supreme Of
flee and, in the opinion of many. the
second most powerful position in the
Government.
Eager to settle the question quickly,
so that the new President may know
with whom to discuss the legislative
program for the special session soon to
be called, the caucus was ordered de-
spite opposition in some quarters.
All but about IL of the 100 members
who will sit in the House for the first
time in the new Congress have an
nounced their intention of attending
the caucus. and the answer to the
question of who will succeed Jack Gar
ner may rest with them
The half dozen or so candidates,
however. have redoubled their efforts.
Claims of one are Immediately dis
mate of the strength of each probably
will have to await the first roll call be-
hind closed doors at 4 pm. March 2.
Rainey and McDuffie Lead.
One of the candidates is Henry T.
Rainey of Illinois, the Democratic
floor leader, who is one of the pictur-
esque figures of the House. With
record of % years of service in the
House, he rose to floor leader when the
Democrats wrested control from the
Republicans in the first session OF the
Seventy-Second Congress.
His thick hair Is Snow-white, his
voice soft and his manner unassuminy
He affects simplicity in dress, a flowing
black bow tie the chief distinction:
A recognized expert on tariff and
taxation. Rainey is in line for the
craftsmanship of the powerful Ways
and Means Committee if he is not
elected Speaker.
Another asprant is John McDufae of
Alabama, the party whip. The big
energetic and pleasant Alabaman has
been in the House continuously since
1918. Jack Garner made him whip
when he became floor leader, and he is
regarded as one Of the Texans closest
personal friends.
Essentilly behind-the-scenes worker.
McDufie has an intimate acquaintance
with the entire membership of the
House - Democratic and Republican
alike.
Byrns Backed Strongly.
The kindly and lanky Joseph w.
Appropriations Committee and one OF
the recognized leaders of the House, has
tossed his hat into the ring.
With "a years of continuous service
back of him, Byrns is making strong
bid for the Speakership. AS chairman
of the committee that approves the vast
expenditures Of the Government. and
for years a member of that committee
before he became its head Byrns long
has been in powerful and strategic po-
sition on Capitol Hill.
The peppery and outspoken John
Rankin of Mississippi is another candi-
date He is winding up his sixth con-
secutive term in the House and has
been elected for his seventh.
AS chairman Of the Committee on
World War Veterans Legislation he has
been ardent in championlng the cause
of the eX-Soldler.
The two other announced candidates
are John J. O'Connor Of New York and
Robert Crosser of Ohio.
O'Connor, a member OF the Tammany
delegation, aspired to be floor leader at
the beginning of the present Congress.
but was defeated by Rainey. Crosser.
a native of Scotland. is high-ranking
member of the Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce.