Evening star., 1941-01-17
Republicans Plan
Aggressive Fight
For House Seats
Otter Is Reelected
C.huirmun of 6. O. p.
Congressional Unit
By WILL p. KENNEDY.

Specific plans" for an aggressive
campaign to gain House seats in
the 1912 congressional elections and
for militant action in any spe-
cial elections that may be called
throughout the country" by the re-
organized Republican Congressional
Committee were announced yeSter-
day by Representative Otter of
Pennsylvania on his reelection as
chairman
IN these plans" Mr. Otter said,
"the committees first objective is to
preserve the constitutional integrity
and authority of the legislative
branch against encroachment from
whatever direction. Dictatorship, as
we see it at work today in the for
mer democracies of Europe, was ac-
complished at length through some
final act of abdication by the legis-
lative branch. History records that
summary powers of dictatorship
once delegated to the executive
never are reclaimed by the people"
Reason for Campaign.
In explaining why Republicans in
the House feel it their duty to make
a militant campaign, Representa-
tive Otter said: The first function
OF our Congressional Committee is
TO maintain the strength and in
fluence of the Republican party in
the House. Historically, the impor-
tance of the House as a defender of
balanced constitutional government,
always increases in times of stress.
So long as the American two-party
system is permitted to function
members Of the minority in the
House will be under an imperative
constitutional obligation to main
tain their campaign machinery in
readiness for the next election"
Second only to the importance of
the reelection of Representative
Otter for chairman is the re-
election. for the 18th consecutive
two-year term, of Earl Venable of
Idaho as executive secretary.
Mr.. Venable has a Nationwide
acquaintance and influence among
politicians comparable with that of
Charles Nicholson, director of pub
licity of the Democratic National
Committee since 1929.
Dean of Executives.
Mr.. Venable becomes the dean of
national committee executives, for
Mr.. Nicholson was an outstanding
newspaper executive and corre-
spondent when Mr. Venable started.
The latter was secretary TO the late
Senator Borah for II years. He was
assistant director of the Speakers
Bureau during the 1916 campaign in
Chicago headquarters-the Hughes
campaign.
In 1920 he was assistant director
under Postmaster General New, of
the Speakers Bureau. He resigned
as Senator Borah's secretary in 1921,
when John R. Mccall became con-
troller general, and succeeded him
as secretary of the Republican Con-
gressional Committee. He has
served under Chairman Fess of
Ohio, Representative Woods of In
diana, for 10 years; Representative
Bolton of Ohio, in 1884 and 1886,
and under Representative Martin,
present House minority leader In
1899, when Representative Otter
was elected, he continued in the
Office
Other officers reelected by the
National Republican Congressional
Committee yesterday are Repre-
sentative Hope of Kansas, secretary,
and Robert v. Fleming. Washing
ton, treasurer. Four vice chairmen
were unanimously elected. They are
Representatives Carter of Califor-
MIA. Dirksen of Illinois. Robsion of
Kentucky and Wigglesworth of Mas
I Sachusetts.