Evening star., 1938-11-13
Martin, Likely 10 GET
Smell S Post, Predicts
40 6. 0. P. Vidory
Groundwork Is Laid to
Electro President,
Leader Asserts
BY WILL p, KENNEDY.

BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
A confident prediction of victory
In the presidential election cam
paign Of 1910 was made yesterday
by Representative Martin of Massa-
chusetts, chairman of the Repub-
lican Congressional Committee, and
director of the drive which resulted
in gain of 81 House seats in last
Tuesdays elections.
Representative Martin is expected
to be chosen as Republican leader
of the House, succeeding Representa-
tive Smell of New York, who did not
seek reelection.
"Unquestionably, we have laid the
groundwork and my prediction is
that we will elect Republican
President in 194O," Mr.. Martin said.
1T has been fully proved, believe,
that we are a young peoples party
with able, young leaders"
Full Opportunity.
Representative Martin emphasized
that all who led the party's fight in
the various key States would be
given full opportunity in the next
two years to assert their ability and
to win the party leadership if they
can"
In this connection, he named
Thomas E. Dewey of New York,
Robert A. Taft of Ohio, Richard l..
Lyons of Illinois, Leverett Salton-
stall of Massachusetts,, Julius P. He'll
of Wisconsin and Harold Stassen of
Minnesota.
This election shows that the
rubber stamp days are over" Mr..
Martin said. 1--WE will certainly
nave more independent Congress" !"
The majority party has great
deal to do, but we now have a suffi-
cient number to leave an impress on
bills. We will demand a larger rep
resentation on important commit
tees commensurate with our rlumer-
ical strength and corresponding re-
sponsibility to the voters. The Re-
publican party is facing better
days. The people of the country
are facing better legislation more
carefully considered-and better
times"
Due to Be Floor Leader.
There is little doubt that Repre-
sentative Martin will be promptly
designated floor leader when the
party caucus is held early in jan
uary. He then will resign from mis-
post as ranking Republican on the
Rules Committee, where he will be
succeeded by Representative Mapes
OF Michigan, and also will give up
his position on the Foreign Affairs
Committee and as chairman of the
Republican Congressional Commit
tee. He will devote his entire time
to the minority leadership if his
colleagues select him as Mr.. SHELLS
successor.
The first drive of the enlarged
House minority will be to have a
wholesome" investigation of the
w. P. A. Representative Martin,
who has made study of charges
involving the w. P. A. in his home
State, says he will introduce a res
olutlon calling for such an inquiry
as soon as Congress assemblies.
In many. States during the cam
paign just closed, there were
astounding charges of political cor
ruptlon and coercion in the w. P. A,
Readjustment Likely.
The question of increased repre-
sentation for the Republicans on
House committees is a complicated
one. but history dictates that there
must be a readjustment. A study
OF previous records shows that
more equitable proportion of COM
mlttee quotas would be something
like this:
Appropriations, 20 Democrats and
Is Republicans, as compared with
% to II now: Rules. 8 to 6, where
now it is 10 to 4; Ways and Means.
is to 9, where now there are 10 to 7;
Rivers and Harbors, 18 to 9, where
now there are 20 to Z; Military
Affairs. 16 to TO- where now there
are 10 to 7; Naval Affairs, 16 to 10.
where now there are 18 to 8; Agri-
culture, II to II, where now there
are 20 to 8. Other committees would
oe changed proportionately.
This suggested new apportion-
ment is based on past records, when
the Republicans held a stronger ma
Jority in the House than the in
coming standing of Democrats, 262:
Republicans, ITO.
Conferences Slated.
Ihls contest over committee ratios
Is one OF the biggest organization
problems ahead in the incoming
Congress and is of vital interest to
the Republicans. The matter will
be fought out in conferences between
the party leaders.
Who will succeed Representative
Martin as chairman of the Repub-
Ecan Congressional Committee is
question which will not be decided
until late in January after the cau-
Gus has acted on the leadership and
named a committee on committees.
and until after the latter group has
made its assignments.
Among those mentioned as posi-
bilities for the Craftsmanship are:
Representa- >ves Otter of Pennsyl-
vania; Dirksen of Illinois: Robsion
OF Kentucky; Carter of California
and Hope of Kansas.