New-York tribune., 1897-07-24
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
REED BUsILY AT WORK On
HIS LIST.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED TO-DAY OK AS
SOON AS THE WAY is CLEAR FOR Ap-
JouRNMENr-GossIP ABOUT CHAIR

MANsHIPs AND ASSIGNMENTS.
InY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1
Washington, July 23-The general and welI-iouha-
ed expectation that Speaker Reed VIII announce the
appointment Of the committees OF the Rouse vi
Representatives tomorrow. or as soon as the way
is cleared for adjournment, made TO-DAY ratne'
busy one for him. The large number OF vacancies
In the committees as they were constituted IN the
last Congress renders somewhat general redistripu-
tion necessary, and the Speaker VIII thus nave All
opportunity TO strengthen any weak spots that may
have been discovered In the old committees anu
make the business organization OF the House more
effective. There are fifteen vacant chairmanships-
that is the chairmen of fourteen committees which
have not yet been appointed were not re-eected 20
this Congress- and the chairman OF another one mas
died since his reelection. Several OF THESE chai-
manships are regarded desirable ones ana there
has been a brisk competition for them. as well as
for the vacancies in the committees on Appropria-
tions Judiciary. Naval Affairs. Foreign Affairs.
Rivers and Harbors ETC.. which are regarded as ex-
tremey desirable.
One of the important charmanshlps 10 De
filed Is that OF Public Buildings and Grounds which
was held In the las. Congress by Mr.. Milken OF
Maine VINO has since died. 1t is expected that MI
Mercer, OF Nebraska, will be appointed TO the
vacancy. Another important chairmanship which
is vacant is that OF Invalid Pensions and Tor TINS
as well AS for the other twelve vacancies In the
cS rae is the RANKING survivor Of
majority OF the committee, and may succeed to the
charmanship. he Is the talest man In either
branch OF Congress -
The retirement of Judge Daniels, OF New-York.
leaves a vacancy in the chairmanship OF Elections
Committee No. /. 10 which Mr. Royse, OF Indiana.
who was efrcient member OF the committee, IN
the last Congress. will probably be appointed MI
Scranton. of Pennsylvania, the chairman OF the
Committee Territories in the last Congress. was
not Reelected and 1t is probable that this COM
mittee which will probably have more 10 DO IN this
Congress than in the last will be presided over
by Mr.. Perkins, of Iowa
Among the other committees the chairmen OF
which not reelected TO the LNth Congress are
the following: Manufactures. Mines and Mining:
Labor, Patents. Revision of the Laws. Election OF
President. Vice President and Representatives in
Congress; Alcoholic Liquor Traffic and Irrigation
There has been good deal of gossip respecting the
charmanship OF the Committee on Banking ana
Currency, which held in the last Congress by
Mr. Walker. OF Massachusetts, and many persons
have believed tha; he would not he reappointed SO
far Is known. however. he has not requested
different assignment. and the probability therefore
Is that he Will remain at the head OF the committee
There six vacancies in the membership. and the
filing OF these will give the Speaker an opportunity
10 reorganize the committee efficient working
basis which Is desirable in view of the probability
that ii may have some important work 20 do before
the expiration OF the LVth Congress.