The Washington herald., 1907-11-25
GOOD BERTHS SOUGHT
Speaker Cannon Making up
Committee Lists.
DEMOCRATS SEEKING PLACES
Think That They Arc Entitled TO
Greater Consideration Because of
Increased Membership in House.
Republicans TO Caucus Saturday
NiEht-Opinions Are widely Split.

Speaker Cannon-whose reelection is
practically certain-will begin his serious
work Of the winter In his room ut the
Capitol this morning and now that he is
here. it is anticipated Congressman VIII
begin to arrive in great number, in hope
of getting committee assignments that
will suit them
Uncle joe probably knows now what
he intends to do In the way Of making up
the committees. for he has given the mat
ter consideration ali summer. lie will not
give out the assignments until about the
Christmas recess.
John Sharp Williams, who will again
be elected minority leader. practically
unanimously, is not doing his work OF
making up the committee lists in his
room at the Capitol. but is laboriug at
his home. where he has had an Office
fitted UP. and ne is putting in much time.
Because there are about forty more
Democrats in this House than the last.
the minority members feel they should
get more consideration at the hands Of
the speaker. and one Of the things that
Will be greatly agitated is tthe question
of enlarging the committee on rules It
is not anticipated anything along this
line will be accomplished, but the question
will be agitated more or less, principally
by the new members. The desire is 10
have L increased to seven. or fourteen, il
possible
Caucus Saturday Night.
The Republicans will caucus Saturday
night and select Mr.. Cannon as their
candidate. and the Democrats will select
Mr.. Williams at a meeting Saturday aft
ernoon.
While the financial question IS one that
all are agitating. the diversity of opin-
ion WILL in the minds of a number Of
members on both Sides. do much 20 re-
tard any possibility of legislation at an
early period. The fact that Chairman
Fowler. on the Finance and Banking
Committee, disagrees with the action Of
the President and the Secretary Of the
Treasury in the issuance OF the Panama
bonds and the per cent certificates. in
dicates breakers ahead for financial meas
ures, for with such firm convictions Mr..
FowleT's committee viii doubtless hesi-
tate 10 adopt an administration plan.
while. OF course. the Speaker would make
himself felt in any attempt 10 thwart
the desires of the administration. in case
any are expressed.
Chances for Financial Legislation.
The speaker thinks little OF Senator
Hansbrough's plan for a central bank
Of issue, or AT least OF the chance Of
enacting legislation making il possible
this winter, and the Democrats are prac-
ticaUy unanimous IA supporting the plan
advanced by Mr. Bryan. that the gov
ernment, through a pro rata assessment
I on national banks. guarantee deposltors.
\ That the Republicans will not stand FOR
such a measure. merely because il was
| first advanced by n Democrat, seems to
be the universal belief. So. while the
| President. in his recent statement. seem
I ed quite certain some financial legisla-
ton would be ground out. members who
are now in town cannot quite make out
how such a matter will come 10 pass
under the existing condition Of affairs.