The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-25
Congressman Murdoch Is Still
for War.
Insists on Two Important
Changes in the Rules.
NO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Would Have Everything Done
lin the Daylight"
Plan to Stand With Democrats
Against Old Rules.

Washington. Jan. 25.-Congressman
Victor Murdoch of Kansas, one of the
insurgent leaders in the house, opines
that the insurgents have a good chance
to force amendment of the rules this
session. He is not only not discour-
aged. but decidedly cheered, by the de-
velopments of the fight thus far.
Mr.. Murdoch wants two big changes
in the rules, as well as some minor
ones. He would: First, take the ap-
pointment of committees away from
the speaker. Second. provide that no
committee of either house of congress
should be permitted to do any of its
business behind closed doors. mo ex-
ecutive sessions" is his proposal Let
it all be done in the daylight
This later proposal has been a good
deal talked about of late by insurgents
In both chambers. Some of the new
and high-strung senators want to com
pei all committee room doors to be
open when committees are in session
They think as the real business of leg
islation is carried on in committee. the
public ought to know just how it is
done there as well as on the floor of the
two bodies.
No Closed Meetings
Lately there has been more serious
consideration of the idea than ever be-
fore It has been intimated that Sen
aJOr LaH'OlIetI6 INTENDED TO introduce a
bill, SO as to make it law that no
closed meetings should be held. Either
house could. of course, provide in its
rules against executive meetings; but
this doesn't go far enough to satisfy
the people who want reform that viii
have staying qualities.
Chairman Pete Hepburn, of the house
insurgent body of Republicans, is back
from his Panama trip. and there is go
ing to be activity without delay. Mr..
take
all political power from the speaker,
which means to remove from him the
control of committees
Concerning the Rules.
1t would require % Republican votes.
acting with all the Democrats, in the
organization of the next house, to pre-
vent the adoption of the old rules.
In the last few days the question with
the Democrats has been more seriously
agitated. The impression of those who
have canvassed the situation is that the
vote will be very close. A number of
members claim to be thoroughly in
sympathy with the revision of the rules,
but they protest against formally act
ing with the Democrats. However, 9th
ers are willing to go to that length, and
these have been about, comforting with
Democratic leaders with the view to
learn to what extent they are ready to
cooperate with the Republicans. There
is a widespread impression that even
if the Republican irregulars should
muster force enough to make, with the
Democrats, a majority of the house,
they would not be at all certain of hold
ing the Democrats up to the mark.
May Take Weeks to Start.
Congressman Murdoch suggests the
possibility that when the special ses-
sion opens it may take weeks to organ
ize the house, unless some such agree
ment can be made in advance. If
enough Republicans should refuse to
caucus on speaker. and on rules, to pre-
vent action, the house might be kept
Indefinitely. 1t would be a
cruel performance, for the tariff work
has to be initiated by the house; but
there are insurgents who think it would
be just the programme to force surren-
der by the house organization.