New-York tribune., 1901-02-15
.SE.NA TIE CHALRNANSHIPS.
Mr.. FRYE LIKELY TO BECOME HEAD
OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE.
TBT TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.

Washington. Feb. 14.-There has been a nota-
hle revival Of rumors in the last day two
concerning the organization Of the committees
OF the Senate after March With the advent
Of the new Congress there viii be an influx Of
new members 10 the Senate and TO provide suit
able places for Older members. particularly Of
the majority. there probably will he a general
/ Encouragement Of committees Because Of the
vacancy at the head Of the great Committee on
Foreign Relations. caused by the death OF Cush-
man X. Davis Of Minnesota. there will he
wholesale shifting OF important chairmanships
if the next member in the line Of succession
consents 10 follow the usual rule by stepping
up into the place.
Reference is made 10 Senator William P Frye.
Of Maine 1t is said that great pressure is being
brought to bear on Mr.. Frye at the present
time To induce him TO claim his right TO the
craftsmanship Of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee, and that for reasons that rather
usual he is still stoutly opposed to accepting the
place. Besides being president pro tempore of
the Senate, Mr.. Frye also is chairman of the
Committee on Commerce. one Of the most i'm
portant committees Of the Senate. For many
years he has been especially devoted to the
work OF this committee, and perhaps is more
thoroughly familiar with its intricate details
than any other member. If he should accept
the craftsmanship Of Foreign Relations he would
be forced by the demands Of the place 10 sur
render the Craftsmanship Of the Commerce Com
mittee. II would be almost a physical impos-
sibility, even for Senator of Mr.. Fryes
strength, 10 stand up under the tremendous load
OF work that would he piled him by these two
important chairmanships and the Office OF presi-
dent pro tempore. TO say nothing Of the addi-
tional burden imposed by his being a member
OF other committees
II Mr. Frye should finally decide to leave the
Commerce Committee and mantle
Of the late Cushman X. Davis he would be
ceeded at the head OF this committee by Mr..
Mcmillan, OF Michigan. provided the regular line
Of succession is followed. Mr.. Mcmillan being
now the second member Of the committee. But
this promotion would make II incumbent
Mr.. Mcmillan 10 give up the craftsmanship OF
the Committee on the District OF Columbia IN
the work Of which he is greatly interested and
has given entire satisfaction to the Senate. He
would be succeeded on the District Committee
by Mr.. Gallinger. of New-Hampshire.
OF course, If Senator Frye does not go TO the
head of Foreign Relations. the shifting process
will not be so general and complicated as is in
dicated by the cases pointed out. But IL the
statesman from Maine does not accept the chair
manship held for so long time by the late
Cushman X. Davis, il is not known now on
whom that honor and responsibility will fall
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, has been
much talked OF for the place but TO accept IL he
would have 20 quit the Philippines Committee
OF which ne is chairman. IL is thought that the
Administration Is urging MT lOdge TO retain
his present craftsmanship in order that ne NAV
shape Philippine legislation. which for the next
ten years will be quite important work
any in the Senate. Senator Cullom of Illi-
nois, stands just below Mr.. Frye Foreign Re
lations and is said not 70 be averse 10 this chair
manshp. but If he should take il he would leave
vacancy at the head Of the Committee on In
terstate Commerce that would be hard to fill
since Mr.. Aldrich would stand next in line
now that his immediate supeTiors on this
commttee-Mr. Chandler, Of New Hamps hire
and Mr.. Wolcott. Of Colorado-wi not be in the
next Senate. Mr.. Aldrich could not accept the
craftsmanship because he is already burdened
with more hard work than falls 10 the lot OF
| many Senators by reason of his position az the
head Of the Finance Committee.
Altogether therefore, the prospect seems more
favorable TO Mr.. Frye going 10 the head OF the
Committee on Foreign Relations, in which posi-
ton he has been acting since the death of Sena-
tor Davis than OF anybody else. This the ex-
perts declare, would cause less confusion in the
I reorganization Of the Senate committees at the
opening or the next Congress than probably
would be caused should either Mr.. Lodge or Mr.
Culom be made chairman Of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee.