New-York tribune., 1909-12-09
LOOKING FOR FIGHT
BUT NO ISSUE FOUND.
House "Insurgents" Auaiting
Chance to attack Cannon.
from The Tribune Bur.au-I


Washington. Dec S-The Insurgents in
the House are full OF fight. but they have
not yet been able TO ind an issue. and
unless their future efforts in this direction
prove more successful IL is probable that
they will go on until the end of the session
praying for a chance 10 lock horns with
the Speaker and his organization Lead
ing insurgents. such as Victor Murdock and
Judge Norris. admit frankly that the only
issue on which their full forces can be
rallied is that OF the rules. subject which
will not come before Congress for two
years unless Speaker Cannon is unwsry
and allows it TO come up by some strata
gem
AS they view the case at present. the in
surgent'' leaders. II there can be any in
so diversified a body. believe that four
measures may give them an opportunity
for causing Speaker Cannon discomfort and
strengthening their cause before the coun-
try The first OF these is postal savings
legislation. The majority Of the Insurgents
favor the establishment of postal savings
banks. and they will line UP behind Presi-
dent Taft for such a measure with
strong hope that Speaker Cannon and his
followers will oppose them. But even
should this prove 10 be the case and they
be termed an 'insurgent" victory. for the
reason that at least half dozen men who
would cheerfuIy vote against the rules
will bitterly oppose postal savings banks.
while number Of ardent Cannon men will
vote for banks.
The same rule will apply TO ship subsidy
legislation. on which the insurgents" once
hoped TO make an issue. Men like Stafford,
Of Wisconsin: Perkins. OF New York; Mann,
OF Illinois. and other strong party leaders
are opposed 10 this method OF building up
the merchant marine. while Gardner. OF
Massachusetts: Poindexter. OF Washington.
and other insurgents" are for IT.
and other insurgents are for IT.
Until the Presidents recommendations
concerning the amendments TO the inter
state commerce law and the Sherman anti
trust law are presented in Congress the
Insurgents will continue TO hope that they
may find a suitable issue in them Repre-
sentative MurdOck believes that in these
recommendations will be found the basis
of a fight between conservatives and radi-
Gals. He fears that the regulars will at
tempt 10 deceive the President. and that in
amending the Hepburn rate law they will
pretend to be strengthening its provisions.
but in reality will render II infrm and
toothless- He declares that IL this happens
the ''insurgents'' will have found their issue
and will tight TO make the Hepburn law
more effective. Other Insurgents take the
view that the Presidents recommendations
will not prove broad enough and that there
may be chance 10 go even further than
he advises. As yet no adequate estimate
OF "insurgent'' strength can be obtained. al
though IL is safe 10 say that on a question
Of rules alone at least the same number
would appear as voted with the Democrats
last spring.
Speaking on postal savings banks. Rep
resentative Weeks. chairman OF the Com
mittee on Postoffices and Post Roads said
to-day that although he had been called an
opponent OF this legislation he had not yet
made Up his mind on the subject He denied
reports that he was placed on the commit
tee 10 kill the postal savings bank bill. and
said he had never expressed an opinion on
il 10 the Speaker.