Evening star., 1938-07-11

candidate for Governor Of Massachu-
sets. although both Republican and
Democratic leaders expressed conf
dence that he could be elected if he
would make the fight against the
present Gov. Charles Hurley
More than so of the SO present Re-
publican House members have VOL
unfairly pledged their votes to Mr..
Martin for party leader. These in.
clude the most prominent and veteran
members from all over the country.
including Representative Allen T.
Treadway Of Stockbridge, Mass. dean
OF the Republicans. who promised Mr..
Martin the solid support Of the New
England delegation.
Counts New Votes.
It IS reasonably certain that the
great bulk of new Republicans elected
to Congress this fall will vote for
Representative Martin because in their
campaigns they will have had his ad-
vice and assistance. financial as well
as otherwise. In the campaign Just
starting the Republicans expect to
gain from IS to 100 House seats. This
estimate is based on the fact that
there are that many seats now held by
Democrats which are historically Re-
publican.
1t is Joe" Martins job this sum-
mer and fall to conduct the drive to
win back these 'seats-and If he makes
a successful campaign there is q big
personal reward for him. The Re-
publicans can regain control Of the
House If they can make net gain Of
1913 seats-and If they do that Joe"
Martin can be Speaker instead Of
party leader.
The prospective election Of Repre-
sentative Martin as minority leader
is quite generally admitted by the few
members Of Congress who have been
around the Capitol during the last
week. There is considerable talk that
for political reasons the Republicans
should select Midwesterner with
known liberal tendencies" and still
further, Of course, there is a cropping
up Of State pride and suggested CAM
paigns for "favorite sons"-also a de-
sire to see older members accorded
the honor.
To date, there has been no an
nounced candidacy. Representative
Treadway would have first call on
seniority but he has eliminated him.
self. Next in line would be Repre-
sentative Carl E. Mapes Of Michigan,
who entered Congress on the same
day that Representative Treadway
did, March I, 1913 Some Of his
colleagues may do Mr.. Mapes the
honor Of placing his name in nomina-
ton. but he is not expected to be an
active candidate, especially as he
would succeed to post more to his
liking by stepping up to the position
Mr.. Martin now has as ranking Re-
publican on the important Rules Com
mittee. Next in seniority would come
Representative George Holden Tink-
ham Of Massachusetts,. who wouldn't t
take the job under any circumstances,
and is quite well satisfied with his
present position on the Foreign Affairs
Committee. All Of these members have
outranked in seniority Mr.. Smell dur
ing his eight years as minority leader.
Other ''favorite sons" whose names
are being mentioned are Representa-
tives Thomas A. jenkins Of Ohio and
James w. Wadsworth Of New York.
Representative Martin is really in
line for the party leadership. because
it has been the Republican practice
to take its leaders from the Rules
Committee, where Representative
Smell was chairman before he was
brought out eight years ago as a can
didate against Representative John
@. Tilson Of Connecticut.
Mr.. Martin entered public life from
newspaper work. In high school days
he started reporting. at 23 bought his
home town newspaper which he u
still publishing at the age Of SO.