Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-12
CALLS FOR A CHANGE
La FoIIette's Plan to Facilitate
Senate Business.
DIVIDE COMMITTEE WORK
Would Have Assignments More
Evenly Distributed
MOVE STARTLES OLD-TIMERS
Thought It Will Have Bearing Upon
Future Assignments-Leaders
Keeping Close Watch.
MOVE STARTLES OLD-TIMERS

Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin, oy
his action in the Senate late yesterday
afternoon In putting the naval appro-
priauon bill over until next week. has
caused a shiver Of cold chills among
some of the Senate leaders. Senator La
Toilette made it clear in the course of
his pointed remarks in the debate that
he resents the abrogation Of committee
power and privilege to themselves by the
coterie of leaders.
The question which Is now being asked
is whether Senator La Toilette has en-
tered upon a possible campaign of Oe-
lay In connection with all appropriation
bills to emphasize his protest. If 1t
should turn out that this apprehension
should be we'll founded, a very interest
ing situation might arise In the closing
days of Congress having bearing posi-
bly, upon future committee assignments
| in the Senate.
Senator La Toilette caused the o.
timers in the Senate to gasp yesterday
when he sidetracked Senator Hale and
the naval bill. SO successfully. Senator
Hale desired to consider the bill yester-
day and possibly pass it, but Senator
La Toilette blocked his effort by in
sisting upon the first formal reading OF
the measure until he had secured a
promise that consideration should go
over until Monday
1t is a bold senator who will stand be-
tween Senator Hale and program of his
own making, but the Wisconsin senator
did 1t successfully. In commenting upon
the incident Senator Hale sarcastically
observed tnat he had no doubt the Wis
consin senator had in mind some compre-
hensive system of reform of existing Gus
tom in considering legislation.
DooIxx Nr:kh U:.
The Wisconsin senator came back
promptly With a response, admitting that
he had "the temerity to consider whether
1t might not be possible to make some
other arrangement for the appointment OF
committees which would distribute the
consideration of business of this body
| more eQuitably among all the senator's >
Furthermore, that he had had the hardi.
hood not only to doubt the divine perfec.
tion of the present arrangement, but al
most to believe that If the business of
considering the legislation OF the Senate
could be distributed among the ninety-two
instead of being taken in charge by less
than one third Of the body it would be an
improvement over existing conditions
Senator La Toilette also made few re-
marks about the practice Of a few sem
atOrS gathering unto themselves all the
important assignments and leaving the
balance of the Senate out of consideration
of the great bills
These remarks have led to the quest ion.
therefore. what Senator La Toilette is
aiming to accomplish. and raise the query
whether his future course will have any
effect upon his being placed on important
committees. Only the senator knows his
purpose, but it is realized that he is in
position, If he chooses to exert his power.
to make ii mighty uncomfortable for the
speedy dispatch of business.
La Follette's Present Assignments.
His COMMITTEES assignments at present
are not conducive to participation to any
great extent in the important business
before committees. He is chairman of
the "select committee to investigate the
condition OF the Potomac river front" ;"
and it can be imagined what that assign
ment carries. About the only investiga
ton made by statesmen Of the river front
is when an occasion party headed by
Mark Smith rounds up Col. Dick Bright
and visits the oyster wharf for feast He
is also member of the census, civil serv
tee and retrenchment. immigration. In
dian affairsand pensions committees. None
of these committees furnishes opportunity
for very much effort of high order of
statesuAanship.
Senator La Follettes course next week
will be watched with some interest not
to say anxiety. by the Senate leaders.