Evening star., 1934-12-17
The political Mill
By G.. Could Lincoln.

The decision Of Senator McNary Of
Oregon, Republican leader Of the
Senate. to appoint Senator Gerald p.
Nye Of North Dakota chairman Of the
Republican Committee on Committees
places q member Of the Republican
progressive group in this position for
the first time. Nye Is In line for the
chairmanship Of the committee which
assigns committee places to the Re-
publicans Of the Senate, since he rank
ed next to Senator Reed Of Pennsyl-
vania, who has been chairman and who
will not be q member Of the incoming
Congress. Senator McNary is clearly Of
the opinion that the rule of seniority
should prevail. Furthermore, the Re-
publican leader of the Senate is
clearly not inclined to discriminate
against a member of the progressive
group in the Upper House and In
favor of another who may be consid-
cred more regular" As matter Of
fact, Senator Nye, although he has
been strongly progressive and has
lined up with the group Of Western
Senators who have been dubbed "in-
surgents" at times, has never left the
Republican party in national elections.
Senator Nye has been In the lime
light many times since he came to the
Senate in 1925, but never more SC
than at present. He Is the chairman
of the special Senate committee ap-
pointed to investigate the munitions
makers. His committee has been
expected to draft legislation to take
the profit" out Of war, not only as
it applies to munition makers, but al
industry and other groups. President
Roosevelt's recent determination to
take hold Of the program to eliminate
profiteers in war times has not sat
well with members Of the Senate
committee, including Senator Nye
The Senators believe that they have
acquired and are acquiring a large
mass of information which will bt
very valuable in framing the legisla-
tion desired. They do not relish hav-
ing the matter taken out Of theiI
hands by any group that the Presi-
dent may select to make recommends
tions to him regarding this problem
Of robbing war Of large profits to those
who supply munitions and other
materials needed for carrying or
modern warfare. Senator Clark OF
- M
committee, insists he intends to &c
forward with a bill Of his own.
The whole question Of taking prof
out of war has caused widespread in.
terest among the people. Senator
Nye has made many speeches on the
subject, some Of which have beer
broadcast by radio from one end OF
the country to the other. There Is
q feeling on Capitol Hill that tht
White House Is seeking to steal Q
bit of It's thunder Furthermore, the
committeeman do not wish to have
anything done which would, per-
haps, put an end to the inquiry
which they are now conducting
through refusal to grant the com
mittee more funds.
II
With Representative Joe" Byrns oi
Tennessee virtually the choice of the
House Democrats for Speaker in
place OF the late Representative
Henry T. Rainey of Illinois, the in
terest has switched to the contest
for Democratic floor leader of the
House. There is plethora Of can
didates. Since Bryns is regarded a.
Southerner, it is argued that the
floor leader should come from the
North or from the West. 1t Is thi.
argument that initiates against Rep
resentative Bankhead of Alabama, a
tried and experienced member of the
House. Even 80. Mr.. Bankhesd ha.
q very considerable following for the
place Two New Workers, Repre-
sentative Mead, an upstate Demo
crat, and Representative O'Connor
one of the Tammany group in the
House, are in the list prominently
for floor leader. In addition there
is Representative John McCormacl
OF Massachusetts,, who has come rap
idly to the fore in the half dozel
years he has been a member Of the
House.
A Tammany man for Democratic
floor leader Of the House would bt
something new. Probably his con-
nection with that famous organiza.
ton will be of little assistance Il
Mr.. O'Connor in his drive for tn,
leadership. Mr.. Mead. on the othel
hand, Is without that handicap, i
it Is one, and his hackers believe thai
York delegation will see the advisa'
bility Of getting back Of his candi'
dacy. He has been in the Hous,
16 years and has been chairman
of the Committee on Post Offices anC
Post Roads.
The Republicans are trying Il
make up their minds just wha
course they should pursue with regart
to the case of Rush d. Holt, tn
29-yesr- Senator-elect from Yves
Virginia. They do not believe tina
he is entitled to be seated. since h
is clearly under the constitutions
age limit set for membership in tn,
Senate. Gradually the belief i
growing that he should not be al
lowed to take his seat, either now O
at any later time, even after he shal
have attained the age Of thirty years
fixed by the Constitution. Senate
McNary, Republican leader. believes
that he should not be seated wheI
the session opens. Senator Boral
of Idaho takes the view that h,
should be seated and then, after tn,
Privileges and Elections Committe,
has reported on the matter. should b
removed from the Senate. 1t is arguet
that If q man can be elected to tn,
Senate and allowed to wait six months
until he becomes of Senate age, h,
might be elected when he has to wal
a year or two years or even longer
There is no sense in such PROPOSE
tion, Senators say.
r X 4 X
OF course, the overwhelming Demo.
cratic majority in the Senate is in {
position to seat Holt If it desires t,
do so. There has been so much tall
about violation of the Constitution IL
recenf uo0pthS that thu Holt oaro Z,