Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-01
Problem Of Reorganization Begins t,
Trouble Leaders.
ALEXANDER FOR WATERWAYS
Western Members Object to Buffalo
Man as Successor for Burton.
THREE IMPORTANT CHA1RMEN
Successors Must he Found for Hep
burn, Jenkins and Overstreet-
several Ranking Members
Also Out.

WASHINGTON. Jan. s1.-with the con-
vening OF a new congress scarcely more
than a month distant. the selection OF the
standing committees Of the next house and
particularly the award OF craftsmanship. has
become the subject OF keen speculation and
source Of some anxiety.
The understanding among members gem
orally is that the rule of the seniority will
be followed in selecting chairmen. but there
may be some exceptions. In caseI I'm which
the chairmen are reelected. It is expected
that they will be retained in their present
places with the possible exception Of Mr.
Fowler Of New Jersey, chairman of the
committee on banking and currency. There
arc. however. some important committees
whose chairmen will not be members OF
the next house. and the selection of their
successors Is causing no little speculation.
Among these committees are those on
the Judiciary, where Mr.. Jenkins of Wis
oonsln is chairman; interstate and foreign
commerce, Colonel Hepburn, Iowa, as
chairman; rivers and harbors, Senator
eject Burton, chairman, and postoffices and
post roads. Mr.. Overstreet OF Indiana,
chairman. These are four OF the most inn
portsnt committees OF the house and the
Craftsmanship Of each is highly priced
Objection TO Alexander.
The name of Representative De Alava s..
Alexander OF Buffalo, n. Y, is strongly
mentioned in connection with two Of these
committees. He will be the ranking MEM
ber OF the committee on rivers and harbors
after Chairman Burton OF Ohio takes his
seat in the senate with the renewed
agitation in the middle west for waterways
Improvement there has sprung up keen
IL he cha asrrx hi Of 10
rivers and harbors committee in that ter
ritory For this reason Mr.. Alexander s
appointment as chairman does not appeal TO
the western representation.
The western members want Representa-
tives James II. Davidson of Wisconsin, who
ranks after Mr.. Lawrence and comes from
a state that loses the important chairman
ship Of the tufiriary. The interstate and
foreign commerce and postoffice and post
roads committees also are being paired.
Unless Colonel Hepburn of Iowa desires
TO contest for his seat I'm the house. and
the chairmanship OF the committee on inter-
states and foreign commerce is left vacant
on that account. there will be big
problem TO be solved in that committee
The ranking member below Mr.. Hepburn
is James Sherman, vice president-elect
Next comes Messrs. Wanger of Pennsyl-
Yania and Mann or Illinois, respec'
lively. The latters activity on the
floor OF the house and in this committee il
being urged as reason why he should
be given the appointment.
POstomce Chairman.
The suggestion has been made that Mr.
wanger be appointed chairman of the post
office and postroads committee TO succeed
Chairman Overstreet of Indiana retired.
Representative William II. Stafford o
Wisconsin may be pressed for the post
office chalrmanship. although John J
Gardner OF New Jersey, who outranks hin
on that committee, is said to be satisfied
with the craftsmanship of the committee oil
labor. Representative Nehemiah d. sperr!
OF Connecticut the oldest man in the hous
and chairman of the committee on alcoholi
liquor traffic. is among the other member
of the postoffice committee mentioned a
possible successor to Mr.. overstreet a
chairman.
1t is generally conceded that Representa-
tive Perkins CNew York; will succeed Mr
Cousins OF Iowa as chairman of the com
mttee on foreign affairs.