Watauga Democrat

DEMOCRATS MAY ORGANIZE NEXT SESSION CONGRESS

Death of Longworth Opens New Prospect to Southland. If Democrats Organize Garner Would Be Named Speaker. No Able Republican Is Seen. Diminution of Power Seen if G. O. P. Should Hold on to It.

Washington. - Many interesting possibilities are being suggested by political observers here in assessing the effect the passing of Speaker Nicholas Longworth will have upon the House of Representatives and the speakership itself.

Among the possibilities are there: Election of a Democratic speaker, which would put the South firmly in power there again as it was in the early history of the country and during the Wilson administration.

Election of a Republican speaker who represents western interests, thus transferring power from the east, which long has dominated the House of Representatives. to the West, which has challenged often in vain.

Diminution of the power of the speakership, which Longworth restored to much of its old-time potency in his six years in the post. if Republicans organize the next House.

There is also the possibility, much discussed in the circles in which she moved here in her glamorous way, that Alice Roosevelt Longworth, long recognized as a political influence in the salons, will seek the Cincinnati House seat which her husband held for 26 years.

If Democrats organize, there will be a strong speaker in the person of the breezy plainsman from Texas. John W. Garner. bosom friend of Longworth, and often the latter's adviser in legislative snarls.

No Republican left in the House commands the support Longworth had. First in the logical line of succession is Republican floor leader John Q. Tilson. of Connecticut. and next to him. Chairman Bertrand H. Snell. New York, of the rules committee. Tilson lacks the popularity Longworth enjoyed. and Snell has made enemies because of refusal to permit consideration of legislation. over which his committee has authority.

Western candidates include Homer Hoch. Kansas, who led the fight for an oil embargo; C. William Ramseyer, Iowa. for long a member of the ways and means committee, and Fred S. Purnell. Indiana, ranking Republican on the House Agriculture committee. Some others mentioned as compromise candidate are Earl C. Michener and Joseph L. Hooper, both of Michigan.