The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22
Representative Holiday I'm Line for a
Place on Judiciary I'm Case MIR.
Overstreet Gives Ii Up.
CABINET OF THE SPEAKER
HEMESwAY, WATCHDOG OF THE
TREASURY" WILL BE PREMIER.
Hepburn, Grosvenor, Tawney, Crum-
packer, Payne and DaIzeII tn Hold
Responsible Positions.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-Speaker Can
non has nearly completed the biggest task
he will be called upon to perform in the
Fif{y-eighth Congress. He has been en-
gaeed for weeks In making up the seventy
or more committees that comprise the Or
gaDization of the House of Representatives.
He has had experience in this line of work
before. He is anxious that his administra-
tion shall be success and it is his purpose
to form the strongest possible committees
out OF the excellent material available
When the committee lists are announced
there will be great elation on the part OF
some members and corresponding gloom
on the part of others. The number Of COM
mittee plums is limited. There's not enough
TO go round. Disappointments and heart
aches are bound to follow. but it is predict
ed that there will be fewer kicks under
Uncle Joe" Cannon than was the case
when Tom Reed. the mighty man from
Maine. Dave Henderson. the deep-voiced
veteran from Iowa. welded the gavel.
When e representative called on Mr.. Reed
TO talk about committee assignments the
man from Maine listened in silence. Some
times he was bitterly sarcastic Mr.. Hen
derson. known as 'the best of good fell
lows" before he was elected speaker, be-
came sullen. irritable and difficult to ap-
preach after he had been placed in the
chair.
Uncle Joe" Cannon Is OF q type entirely
different from either Reed or Henderson.
In appearance he looks like Western
farmer, and his elevation 10 the high Office
of speaker has made no change in his hab-
its or his treatment of his colleagues. He
Is tactful. considerate and patient. He ap-
preciates the anxieties of members over
con,mittee assignments and listens to the
tale OF woe OF the new representative as IL
the troubles Of the raw recruit were his
own. But Mr.. Cannon will not let his kind
ly tnclinations influence his determination
TO Luild the strongest possible committees.
The work OF this Congress is important: 1t
will be followed by a national campaign,
and the men most fit will be placed in
places OF responsibility.
MUCH HARD WORK
In making up the committees OF the House
the mechanical work itself is tremendous.
Three or four of the most experienced
House officers assist the speaker in keeping
the books that are used I'm jotting down the
list OF committees. the vacancies that ex-
fst. and the preferences OF the individual
rnernber as they are submitted to the speak
er. Various questions are considered in
making the assignments. The temperament,
ability. industry and knowledge of the indi-
vidkal on certain subjects are carefully
cansassed by the presiding officer OF the
House. For example. In forming the COM
mitfee on ways and means. which frequent
ly drafts legislation carrying out party
policy, great care is taken in the selection
OF material A man who Is inclined to
buck over the traces, or who Is known
as an 'on OK Is rarely assigned to ways
and means. Members well versed on the
tariff are frequently singled out for ways
and means, this committee having jurisdic-
ton over legislation affecting the revenues
The same policy is carried out all along the
line Fer example,, lawyers only are placed
on the committee on judiciary. The great
committee appropriations is eagerly
sought by members OF the House. This
committee Is generally made I'D OF old
veterans on both sides OF the chamber
where a new member was assigned to This
committee in his first term. In making ur
this committee the speaker often selects
mep whose districts do not ask for much
IN the way OF appropriations. Ii woi.C
never do to have appropriations made up oi
men who are constantly clamoring fol
funes for internal improvements.
XXX
OF the seventy committees in the House
only about one-third Of them are in tn,
makes a bid for the best committees ii
the House organization. And here is wher,
the patience of the speaker is sorely tried
An illustration of the methods OF Speaker
Cannon is shown in the following incident
A new representative from the middle Wes
called on him to- discuss committee assign
ments. He expressed a preference for on,
OF the leading committees. He was insist
ent asserting that the interest OF his dis
trict demanded recognition My boy" sal,
the speaker, Il do not see how L can &C
cOmmodate you. You'll notice that ther,
is only one vacancy. Now, Representative
BlaEk. OF your delegation. has been in tn
that place. Don't you think he Is entite,
. TO it?' The new member confessed tha
he would have TO step aside for his col
Ieagae OF longer experience, and told tn
This is only one OF many interviews OF 1
like nature that have been held within tn
past few weeks. Every opportunity ha
preferences and to debate the question Wit
the speaker.
The expectation now is that the Hous
committees viii be announced just befor
the adjournment OF the special session.
Here is a list OF Indiana men who ar
Acertain 10 secure chairmanships In tn
! House:
Representative Hemenway, chairman O
appropriations
Representative Overstreet, chairman O
pOst9fices.
Representative Crunnpacker. chairman O
censis.
Here are the possibilities:
Representative Charles B. Lands. chair
man or printing
Renresentative Brick, chairman OF terri
tories.
Little II known OF candidates for tn
chafTmanship OF printing. Mr.. Lands
peculiarly fitted for this committee on ac
court OF his experience as publisher
Whether he lands Craftsmanship or no
(coSrINuED on PAGE ). COL. /,