Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-13
Revision of Rules Proposed
Will Be Conservative.
TO OPEN FIGHT AT ONCE
Reformers Not to Postpone It to
Next Session.
CONFERENCE WITH SPEAKER
to be Recommended
to the Meeting to Be Held
Tuesday Night.

One of the first things agreed upon by
the members of the Hepburn rules re-
vision committee in the House, after the
committees selection yesterday, was a
plan to make the fight for amendment at
the present session. The work was start
ed at once by conferences between men,
bers of the committee and Speaker Can
non and Representative Williams, former
minority leader, as we'll as between the
committee and other individuals among
the element favoring revision OF the
rules.
Conservatism Favored.
Word was spread by a majority of the
committee. which consists of Representa-
tiyes Hepburn of Iowa, Hays Of Cali
fornia, Townsend of Michigan, Cooper OF
Wisconsin and Foster of Vermont, that
the amendments to be recommended
would be conservative. A practical dis
approval was announced of such changes
as the selection of a steering committee
of the House to appoint the committees.
and the proposal to have the committee
on rules elected by the House.
The outcome of the individual confer
ences held with the Speaker Is said to
have been an understanding that the en-
tire committee will lay before the Speaker
after Tuesday nights conference over the
rules the amendments that may be agreed
upon at the meeting.
1t Is understood that the committee Will
ask to be authorized to agree TO compro-
misses that the Speaker might suggest II
desirable. The members who talked WIN
the Speaker yesterday assured him tnat
they were his friends; that they desired
to show the utmost respect for him, and
that they wished to avail themselves or
his suggestions. Republican Floor Leader
Payne and Representative Dalzel VIII De
consulted by members of the committee,
either before Tuesday night or supse-
quently.
Amendments Proposed.
The committee Of "reformers" of the
rules are practically united on the Hep
burn amendment to the rules, which
would. require the Speaker as in duty
bound to recognize the first person upon
whom his eyes fall, instead of allowing
him to arrange at the beginning the day s
program, designating members who shall
be given the privileges of the hoor
throughout the day.
Other amendments that appeal to the
committee of those favoring rules revision
are to require the call Of the committees
once a week, so that all bills on the
''union" and the House calendars may
he reached In due time, and to enlarge
the committee on rules, though leaving II
to the Speaker to select the members
thereof
The democrats are being interviewed to
ascertain If they will consent to the COM
mittee being composed exclusively or re-
publicans. Recognizing that rules COM
mittee Of fifteen would be cumbersome
and difficult to get together In emergen-
cies the members of the special commit
tee desire to limit the membership to nine
republicans. AS it has been the reputed
practice to invite In the democratic MEM
hers of the committee on rules only after
the republicans have decided upon
course of action, It is being urged by
some that minority representation on the
committee is farce.
Advantage Of Early Fight.
Among the reasons assigned for making
the fight on the rules at this session are
that a number of the so-called reform
ers" will not be members of the next Con-
gress: that even a losing fight this session
will strengthen the "reformers" next ses-
sion. and that the new members are al
ways loath to take issue with the leaders
of the House on the first day OF Con-
gress, when the fight would come II post
poned until next session.
The democrats are remaining quiet, TAX
ing little part in the discussion. The re
formers" claim that the House leaders
will be surprised at their strength at the
meeting next Tuesday night, which Is to
~ on opop YOootfn1 to all who desire to