The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-17
HOUSE GETS
 TO ITS WORK Cannon Appoints Two
 Committees. FITZGERALD IS ON RULES The Democrats Hiss the Announce
 ments. PresiAent TnfD sends in . Brief Mes- sage on the !Tarin and Mem-
 hsrs Draw Their

Washington, Mar. 1s.-The second days session of the House of Repre- sentatiyes of the Sixty-first Congress found the mem bers In a much calmer mood.
 The question of the amendment sof the rules having been settled yester- day, the tension was noticably relaxed and a feeling of general good fellow ship was apparent The drawing of seats was the first business to be transacted and this proceeding, al- though rather Inonotonous to specta- tors commanded the intense interest of the members.
 As a special compliment. Messrs. Bingham (Pennsylvania) the father or the House; Sherwood and Keller of Ohio. Payne, of New York; Clark, of Missouri; Tawney, of Minnesota; Liy- ingston, of Georgia; sperry, of Con necticut, the oldest member of the House; De Armond, Missouri. and Tal- bolt. Maryland, were allowed to select their seats without reference to the result of the drawing.
 A storm of laughter at the expense of Mir Clark, (Mo.) was created when he suggested that the Democrats who were forced to occupy the so-called Cherokee strip to the extereme right of the speaker be allowed to choose seats In the last tier and not be com pelled to "mix up" with the Republi- cans.
 In view of the alliance of the Repub- ican Insurgents" and the Democrats, on the question of modifying the rules the humor of the suggestion became apparent but it nevertheless prevailed.
 Message on Tariff.
 When the presidents message was read in the House the Republicans broke out into long and prolonged ap- plause The message was referred to the committee on Ways and Means. The message was as follows: i Message of President.
 gro the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives: -fs [ q have convened the Congress in this extra session in order to enable lt to give immediate consideration to the revision of the Dingiey tariff act. "conditions affecting production. manufacture and husiness generally have so changed. In the last twelve years as to require readjustment and revision of the import duties imposed by that act. More than this. the pres ent tarif act. with the other sources of government revenue. does not furnish income enough to pay the authorized expenditures. By July l, next. the 'ex- cess of expenses over receipts for the current fiscal year will equal $100.000.- coo.
 The successful party in the late election is pledged to a revision of the tariff The country and the business community. especially. expect 1t. The prospect of a change in the rates of import duties always causes a suspen- sion or halt in business because of the uncertainty AS to the changes to be made and their effect. It is therefore of the highest importance that the new bill should be agreed upon and passed with as much speed as possf- ble, consistent with it's due and thor ough consideration.
 For these reasons I have deemed the present to be an extraordinary oc- casion, with the meaning of the Con- stitution justifying and requiring the calling of an extra session.
 Tn my inaugural address l stated In A summary way the principles upon which In my Judgment the revision of the tariff should proceed and indicated at least one new source of revenue order to avoid a future deficit. It is not necessary for me to repeat what l then said.
 q venture to suggest that the vital business interests of the country re- uuire that the attention of the Con- gress in this session be chiefly devoted to the consideration Of the new tariff bill and that less time be given to other subjects of legislation in this session. the better for the country.
 (Signed) William H. Taft. 'The White House.
 ''March 16, 1s0e-"
 Speaker Cannon announced the fol- lowing committee&
 Rules-The Speaker. Dalzeli. Penn svlyania; Smith, Iowa: Clark, Missouri; Fitzgerald, New York
 Committee on Ways and Means Payne. New York: Dalzell. Pennsylvanit Mccall, Massachusetts; Hill. eonnecti- cut; Boutelle, Illinois,; Needham. Cali fornia; Calderhead, Kansas: Fordney, man. Washington; Longworth, Ohio; Crumpacker, Indiana: Clark Missouri; Harrison, New York: Broussard Louis- jana; Underwood, Alabama; Grigss, Georgia; Pou. North Carolina; Randell. Texas.
 MT. Fitzgerad. Democrat, who Is add ed to the Rules Committee. is the au- thor of the amendment to the rules which was yesterday adopted, The omer Democratic place on that com unittee went to Mir. Clark, the minori- ty leader.
 Kisses from the Democratic side greeted the names which the speaker each time squelched by sharply bring ing down his gavel and admonishing 
 the proprieties. This novel way of re- buking the members who had engaged in the hissing brought from that side of the House only groans and guffaws
 Champ Clark's Views.
 After the announcement Of the per sonnel of the two committees. Champ Clark, the minority leader. said:
 Originally the Speaker had the pow CT and exercised 1t. to appoint all com mittees both the majority and minor ity members. Under Speaker Reed. when Bailey. of Texas. was the minor ity leAder, and under Speaker Hen derson. I think that the majority lead CTS were consulted a good deal regard ing the appointment of minority mem- bers. When Cannon was elected Speak CT and Williams minority leader. the Speaker conferred on the minority leader the favor of appointing minor ity members on committees with one or two reservations.
 Now the Speaker resumes the pow CT of appointing the majority and mi- nority members on committees for the purpose of punishing me. because had the courage to fight certain things that he wanted done. He has a perfect right to appoint the majority and mi- hority members and am not com claiming about 1t but his efforts to