The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-12-06
FoRpNEY MAY GET PROMOTION.
Changes In Committees Likely to Put
Saginaw Man In Important Place.

Two new cnalrfnansnlpS. Odmuel w
Smith will almost certainly become
chairman of the District of Columbis
committee, and there is possibility
that Joseph w. Fordney will rise to the
chairmahship of the important com
mittee on merchant marine and fish
cries, or Henry McMorran of the big
committee ON manufactures.
Mr. Smith was second or ranking
member of the District of Columbia
committee during the last session.
Chairman Babcock of Wisconsin, does
not return to this congress, therefore,
Mr.. Smith naturally succeeds. He will
also remain as ranking member of the
committee on invalid pension if the
usual rules are followed.
Mr.. Fordney is already, chairman of
one minor committee, that of expendi-
lures in the navy department. He has
been considered as a possible successor
to William Alden Smith on the COM
mittee on ways and means, and his
chances in that direction have been
guessed to be little better than those
of Edward L. Hamilton. He was fourth
member of the committee on merchant
marine and fisheries, and, some would
expect, several terms away from the
craftsmanship. But neither Chairman
Grosvenor of Ohio, nor e. S. Minor of
Wisconsin, ranking member of the mer-
chant marine committee. return this
year. Hence William S. Green, of
Massachusetts, is the only member
ahead of Mr.. Fordney on the committee.
At the same time, by the fact that
James G. Sibley, of Pennsylvania, does
not return, Mr.. Green is the successor
of Mr.. Sibley as chairman of the COM
mittee on manufactures, with Henry
McMorran, Michigan, as ranking MEM
Der. 1t is considered quite probable
that one man will not be chairman of
both committees If the Massachusetts
man, as some would think likely. with
draws from the committee on merchant
marine aud fisheries. Joseph w. Fordney
of Saginaw, will be chairman. II he
prefers to leave the committee on man
ufactures, Henry .McMorran, of Port
Huron, is the natural successor.
IT Mr.. Fordney becomes chairman Of
the committee on merchant marine and
fisheries, E. L. Hamilton. of Niles, will
probably have no opposition for the
ways and means committee appoint
ment. Mr.. Hamilton is already chair
man of the committee on territories,
but any advancement of his rival in one
direction means better fortune for
Hamilton on the ways and means COM
mittee. Mr.. Fordney profits also by the
fact that Chairman John f. Lacey of
Iowa, of the committee on public lands,
and E. w. Martin of South Dakota
third member do not return. By this
Frank w. Mondell of Wyoming, sue
ceeds as chairman and Mr.. Fordney,
fourth member, last year, would sue
coed Mr.. Mendell as ranking member.
Edwin DENLY, as a member Of the !
on foreign affairs; G. E.
on the committee on inter
state and foreign commerce; George A.
Loud, on naval affairs; Darragh, on |
and post roads; Young, on
elections and military affairsy McMor-
AN, on banking and currency; Hamil-
;on, on insular affairs suffer no ma.
,erial change, if the usual customs pre-
vail. Washington Gardner advances
rom fifth to fourth on the committee
IN appropriations.
Mr.. Townsend's prominence in the !
ate bill, Mr.. DENLY in the consular
ervice bill and Mr.. Fordney's i'll the
hip subsidies bill were won in the last
ession. while these gentleman were re-
note from the chairmanships. As the
essions pass, members expect to rise in
egular order, by precedent of age.
Unless there is some great upheaval
md overturning of the orderly customs,
he fortune OF Michigan members on
Committees is better this year than for
long time, and the share and infiu-
nc of the state will be correspondingly
heightened.
The three new assignments desired
" Michigan this year are Gerrit j.
for the Judiciary commit
important James Nc
.aughlin for the committee on agri-
with its new big forestry and
problems; and III. Olin Young
or the committee on rivers and har-
,ors to succeed Roswell p. Bishop.
The committee on rivers and harbors
must eventually take up and settle the
question of the Lake Mich
gan to the Mississippi canal.
Congressman Samuel w. Smith called
N Speaker Cannon today for consul
alton on the committee appointments.
\ caucus of the delegation is set for
Ionday to determine the choice of
member on the ways and means com
nittee.
There has been some gossip to the
feet that there is fight brewing be-
fessrs Fordney and Hamilton over the
Ways and means committee vacated by
he election of William Alden Smith to
he senate, hut there is nothing to this
'ordney and Hamilton are about as apt
o hight as Damon and Pythias,, or Da-
4 H-II