The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-09-12
MITCHELL
AND FOSTER
Rivals for Position on
Senate Committees.
FORMER HAS THE BEST OF II
Senators Ankeny and Fulton Are Too
New to Expect Good
Appointments.

The Washington correspondent of
the OregOnian says: In the 57th con-
gress, the Pacific Northwest had no
representation on any of the really
important committees of the United
States senate. 1t is probable, how
ever, that this section will be accord
ed more fitting recognition when the
committees Of the 5Sth congress are
formed early in the coming session.
When the committees of the last con
gress were formed, neither Oregon,
Washington nor Idaho had a republi-
can senator who had been continually
in office for more than two years, AMI
sh0rtness of service operated against
good committee assignments. Sena-
Tor Mitchell having reentered the
senate after four years in private
life was treated as a new senator,
while Senator Foster, with two years
continuous service, was treated little
better The Washington man. how
ever, is now entering on mis- fifth
year, and in view Of the fac viii nc
doubt be given better appointments.
The fact that Senators FultcG, Ank-
eng and Hepburn are all new men
will debar them from securing any i'm
pOrtant assignments.
Place the Northwest Wants.
The eyes Of the northwestern sena-
tors have all turned toward the two
republican vacancies on the com
| MERGE committee which handles and
virtually shapes the river and har-
Dor bills. To a northwestern sena-
tor this is the most important commit
| tee in congress. as it provides larger
appropriations for northwestern sta
tons than any committee in the sen
ate Senator Mitchell aspires to one
Of the vacancies. Senator Foster en-
tertains like ambitions. The new
| senators. of course. are eligible to
such an .impOrtant place. Either
Mitchell or Foster will probably be
| appointed 10 the commerce commit
tee. as the Pacific Coast, since TUr-
ner's retirement. now has but one
member, Perkins. Of California. The
fact that Representative Jones, OF
Washington, is almost sure to get on
the river and harbor committee in the
house may prejudice Fosters chances,
although Fosters seniority over Mitch
ell will tend to Offset this handicap.
Besides California is represented on
| both the senate and house committee.
May Act on Finance Committee.
On the appropriations committee
| there are now no vancancies, while
in the mighty finance committee that
will handle any currency reform bills
that may be offered, including the AL
drich bill, there are one republican
| and two democratic vacancies. The
| far west has no representation on THIS
committee, at present, and there is a
| very remote possibility that Foster or
Mitchell may secure the vacant place,
but under no circumstances would
| either secure a place on this commit
| tee in addition to commerce.
Were it not that Senator Ankeny is
a new man his vast banking expert
ence under conditions that have
| brought him in close touch with the
| farmers. whom it is claimed will be
| benefited by an elastic currency y
he might reasonably reckoned as a
| possibility. AS it is he cannot hope
for the appointment.
The determination to stave off tar
if revision until after the Dresiden-
tial election will deprive the finance
| committee Of a most important task
in the coming session, but later on.
when the tariff question is taken up.
| this committee will handle all tariff
bills. An appointment in the coming
session is, therefore, doubly desirable.
| Foreign relations is a committee OF
| growing Importance, but there are
no republican vacancies. Senator
| Mitchell will no doubt retain his
| craftsmanship Of the committee on
| Coast defense. but may have to sac
| rifice postofices. interoceanic canals,
| or Pacific Islands and Porto Rico If
| he is given an important assignment
His other committee places are in