The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-12-31

Washington, Dec. 30 The demo-
Gratis in congress are showing some
signs OF getting together This is par
ticularly true Of the minority members
OF the house. EARLY in January Rep
resentative Champ Clark, the min-
ority leader, will form an advisory
committee made up Of one democratic
member from each state, or one mem
Der from every state that has demo-
cratic representation This committee
win be depended on to map out pro
gram for the session and decide what
the course OF the minority shall be
with reference to any particular move
on the part Of the majority
Representative CulIop Of Indiana, is
responsible for the adoption Of this
plan
II is also felt that the time has
come when the democratic senators
should stand together behind some
sort Of legislative problem.
Il has been several years since the
senate minority has shown any dis.
position to follow the leadership Of
any person, OF Of any committee Of
democrats. Senator German, Of Mary
land, did while occupying the position
OF minority leader, really lead.
The house democrats are beginning
to realize that they have before them
an excellent opportunity to do some
thing. For instance, they are show
ing real interest In a movement to in
vestlgate the various executive de-
partments Of the government with the
view Of aseertaining whether money
is being wasted and il so, what causes
the waste,
Away back IN 1916 congress had an
idea that it would be appropriate to
appoint committees on expenditures
in each OF the departments, and as
new departments have been establish.
ed since that time, committees on
expenditures have been created
1t thus happens that there are now
standing committees on expenditures
in the department Of agriculture, the
department OF eomrerce and labor
tho interior department, the postotAce
department the department Of Justice
the navy department. the state depart
ment. the treasury department and the
war department m addition to these
there is a committee on expenditures
in public buildings. Thus there are
ten committees relating to the various
departments Of the government and
also to the question Of public build.
;ngs
When the present session began the
more influential democratic members
of the house insisted that life should
be infused into these ten committees.
The speaker and his committee on
rules after giving the subject much
thought decided to give these COM
mittees some freedom during the ses-
sion. and so il was that the resolution
distributing the presidents message
among various committees contained
an amendment to this effect: That
so much as relate to the examination
OF accounts and expenditures Of the
several departments Of the govern
ment and the manner Of keeping the
same; thu economy. justice and cor
rectness Of such expenditures; their
conformity with appropriation laws;
the proper application Of public laws;
the security Of the government against
unjust and extravagant demands; re-
trenchment: the enforcement Of the
payments Of moneys due to the United
States; the economy and accountable
ity OF public Offices; the abolishment
of useless Offices: the reduction or in-
crease Of the pay Of officers. shall be
subjects within the jurisdiction Of the
standing committees on The public
expenditures in lhe several depart
ments
Before the adjournment for the hoii-
DAY recess the chairman Of most Of