The Washington times., 1909-01-05
Feeling Out Members on
Plan to Postpone Reorgan-
iZatiOn of Committees.
CHANGES DEMANDED
BY YOUNGER MEN
But They Are Disposed to Await
the Action of Historic
Leaders.
By ]. c. wELLIvER.

That the elder statemeu of the Sen
ate recognize the possibility of a serious
insurreCtion against their domination or
the upper body is indicated, in the oplr-
ion of tnsuTseut Senators, by the fact
that Senatorial opinion is now being
felt out, with reference to postponins
tiu next December the reorganization OF
the Senate committees,
In the ordinary course, the committee
list would be revised At the beginning
of the special session, soon after March
4 But IL has come 10 the ears OF some
OF the younger Senators, in the last TWO
days, that the elders are considering
pogtpcnement of the whole matter Till
The regular session, almost year hence.
The reason attributed for such a coll
templated tponement il that the vet
eran leaders want more time to make
sure that they can control the situation.
New Men Want Changes.
For the last year a group OF tEe-neWeT
Republican Senators have been consid-
erfne the revision Of the committees
So long as Senator Allison lived, the
control Of the committee list was prac-
ticaIly In his hands; indeed, on one oc-
casiOn the Committee on Committees Ior-
maHy abdicated all its powers and su-
1horized him to make the assignments
Under this system, It has been charged
the veterans always managed 10 con
troll the best that was going; they in
stalled themselves in the chalrmanshlpS
of the powerful committees and through
these dominated legislation. The young
er Senators, or those who were not en-
rapport with the rulipg powers. got
places on the Animpoftant committees
some of which never meet.
Protest against this condition has been
raining force for a long time. BY COM
mon consent, it has been vaguely un-
derstood for some months past Jhat
when the next revision should take
Mace the insurgents should make
feht for fairCr distribution. Ever
Stree the death of Senator ALISON ana
the promotion by seniority, OF senator
Hale to the nominal leadership on the
Republican side, il has been understood
anlonrr the Younger element that the
fight should De made next March, when
the special session should meet
Hear Of Long Delay
Eul now word reaches-the heteTOdoX
voung men of the Senate that the older
heads have been together, ana that q
piar for time is 10 be made. IT viii be
araued that there is noneed to rGoTganize
. the committees for the short session.
becouse It IS to be devoted to the bust
ness Of revising the tariff exclusively.
December will be ample time and then
The business can be taken up at leisure.
Che insurgents don't know yet what
this move means. They are inclined TO
sIsrecr that 1T indicates some mtsg1V-
iuz on the part of the AIdriCh-Hale man
aeemeut as 10 it's capacity surely TO
control the situation II IS also report
eel that the managers want the bushes
of making committee assignment turn
ell ever TO Senator Hale, vino Will sue
Ceed Allison IS chairman of the Com
mittee ON Committees The young men
sre inclined 10 especial displeasure with
this notion They want new deal an
around, and have no idea of getting IT
under such an arrangement.
Both Sides Count Noses.
Ev March 4. number of new Senators
OF the progressive persuasion Will come
into The body They are counted upon
10 stand with the present element Of in
suFgeuts. The story at the Senate wing
today is that agents Of the AldTlcu-HaIe
interest have been quietly interviewing
Senators, suggesting the pTopTiety Of the
pOstuOnemfut tiu next December. and
trying TO determine whether there would
be serious opposition 10 IT, Thus far IL
1E Impossible 10 learn the result of the
inquiries The younger men have done
come quiet comparing OF notes among
themselves TO determine where the~
stand and how much force they can
muster inc case of a contest.
II is the belief Of the new Senators.
THAT the elders are getting ready 10
make some substantial concessions in
order 10 avoid a var. The young men
recognize that they would likely lose
3u 2 night at this time. but they think
Ehe fight must begin some day and now
looks best to them So they are rather
cheerfully awaiting the outcome Of the
other sides investigation, hoping that
some proposition viii be brought TO
them that ~ least will assure q better
deal than they now enjoy.