New-York tribune., 1908-12-04
CANNON PRAISES RULES
HEPBURN ATTACKS THEM.
S,eaEer Denies That He Possesses
arbitrary POtcerS.
From The Tribune Bureau. 7

washington. Dec. S.-The rules OF the House Of
representatives became to-day the subject Of in
.srviev=s ny Of the best known Republicans in
,-,,s-ess-Speaker Cannon and Colonel William r
zEsnhurn. Their opinions differ radically in almost
.,,erv particular and indicate clearly the
..s,es on which the predicted battle viii be toug
,rr sr the 6lst Congress. The Speaker takes the
-osItion which has often been advanced by those
vho framed the present rules Of the House. that
ihey necessary in order that the will of the
rnz 3orlty may he carried out. He stands by his
mich abused Rules Committee and intimstes that
be viii sanction movement which seeks to
change the code in any particular. He insists that
fhe Rules Committee is not arbitrary body with
unreasonable power. but declares that 1t does the
viii Of the Republicans OF the House. facilitates
business ard can be overruled by the majority
The Committee Rules said Mr.. Cannon.
$ composed Of Eve members three Republicans
sud Two Democrats II has happened as often
there sre fingers and thumbs my two hands
that Mr.. Dalzeu or other member OF the
~ iority Of the committee has been unavoidably
sbsent from meeting of the committee. In that
case. with -Eo Republicans and two Democrats
present. according custom. OF the Demo
Gratis pairs with the absent member. With three
members voting. this gives the Republicans ma
jority vote. and this is It should be in order
:hat the majority work SITS will
Referring TO the suggestion that has been made
that the Committee Rules should be increased in
membership. If you make committee with eleven
members. why not make il twenty-one; ano i
% Eet a quorum of three. how much more difficult
would he @ get a quorum OF eleven2 II You take
svay the Committee Rules, sou must provide
something 10 take its place There is a general
r-hlic belief. due TO lack Of knowledge misappre-
rsusion and demasogic editorials and reports
that Ire Committee Rules order to the
House and that it must obey the order The Com
--ir-ee en- Rules does not wish have defeated on
rre foor OF the House any measure which II may
rrese7t and it should assist the majority 10
u-o-.s is viii the Republican members of the com
,-frtee eudeavor learn sometimes by caucus or
inference the desire of the majority Is
TIE object Of the minority party. whether Repub-
1frs- or pemocratic. criticSe and stir up dis
oussion.
Il have been reelected TO Congress by a majority
-r about eight thousand. At any rate. DO not
erDa-t any contest over my election It is not OF
-1uch importance to the country whether presloe
,,-e- he House OF have a seat the floor l am
regular. whatever is the will of the majority
viii accept The Republican members will, as
usual. hold 8 caucus or conference to determine
--7on he orEsnizaLion of the House The Demo
crafts viii also determine the organization which
they desire We must OF necessity, If not OF choice
s--ept the vill Of the majority
representative Hepburn firmly believes that the !
House rules should be amended avoid the criti-
Srr 70 which the party has been subjected aC-
cunt y their operation He would confer on the
Speaker authority 10 appoint one-thrd Of the mem
hers OF each committee, OF the party caucus er-
-ro-i7y 20 name another third and the minority
authority 10 select the remaining third. He would
5eleEste The committees selected the right 10
seyt their own chslrmen. and would make IL obhs-
STORY on the SPEAKER 10 call the committees once /
n tpsce that they could present with /
-- The 1-ern7issiori of the Speaker on
lf-h they desire action by the House Mr- Hep /
-1-- would also abolish the rule which makes il /
rtiorlsl with the Speaker whether or not he shan
recognize 2 member who addresses the Chair
era717 the errc-t 10 amend the rules develop into /
genuine contest still be serious question
IS 70 = neither 4 SUFFICIENT number OF members Will |
have the courage - place themselves IN antago- ,
ism % the speaker efTec; the desired changes
7-e Sr.zkerSs Organization. including most Of the
--eser. c sirTue1, ranking members and those VINO /
expert TO be caairucn the future. viii gen
"a v 5Ipose snv change. while their ranks viii ne
rveued By Z considerable number Of men VINO iach
the --71r5se 10 oupose the Speaker. There is some
prospect how ever that there will be determined
z7e-7 n unsuccessful effort 70 amend the rules.