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The Seat. Of prime political importance last week was a House successor to Longworth from the Cincinnati district. If a Democrat is elected—and one came within 3,000 votes of it last November— the next House would be tied at 217, with one Farmer-Laborite. Immediately the Press began to nominate Mrs. Longworth for the place. The daughter of a President, she is smart, politically-minded. Her election would maintain the House's "widow tradition."* But her brother Archie scouted the notion that she would ever accept political office. Besides, most Cincinnati Republicans consider her something of an outsider; they prefer State Senator Robert Alphonso Taft, the late President's son.
Speakership. In line of seniority for the speakership—if Republicans organize the House—is Connecticut's tall, lean John Quillin Tilson, now the majority floor leader. But he lacks the Longworth popularity among the rank & file of House Republicans. Behind his smile lies a dogmatic manner, a tart tongue. As floor leader he has often failed to command a following. But because of Mr. Tilson's intense loyalty to White House policies, President Hoover would like to see his elevation. Already last week he had rivals for the Speakership—Rules Chairman Bert Snell, ultra-conservative and hardboiled, supported by New York and Pennsylvania; Kansas' Homer Hoch backed by mild Mid-West Insurgents; Indiana's little old Wood; Michigan's nice, stodgy Mapes.
If the Democrats control the House, "Jack" Garner will become Speaker. But the honor will have lost some of its savor. His friend is dead.
* President Hoover and Vice President Curtis travelled from Washington to Cincinnati and back on two special trains. Custom forbids their riding together lest a fatal disaster overtake the nation's two chief executives simultaneously.
*Of the eight women in the last Congress, five were widows of members.