The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-27
May Demand Investigation of
 Parsons Charges
PRECEDENTS ARE RECALLED
Speculation As To Move Congress Will Make At Coming Session in the Way of Curbing the
 Appropriations.

Washington October 26.-(Special.)- )- Some of Speaker Cannons close friends say that when Congress meets he is going to demand an investigation Of Represen- tative Parsons charges that the House machine and the Tammany congressman entered into a deal to save the House rules. Others are in some doubt about It.. The speaker is already in hot water that is approaching the boiling point and during the coming session lie will have his hands full sustaining himself without acting on the aggressive. The speaker, however, would have three famous prece- dents to guide him
 It was charged that Henry Clay, while speaker, made a bargain to support Adams for the presidency, he to become secretary of state. Clay surrendered the chair, took the floor and demanded an investigation. Seven members were ap- pointed 'by ballot" The case was after wards dropped
 Speaker Randall in 1873 was charged with using his influence for paper mtll in which he was interested He demand ed an investigation and was exonerated.
  connected with the Credit Mobiler scan dal. The case fell through. as the two congressman who made the allegations were found to have been private citizens instead of congressman when the charges were brought out.
 The House, however passed a resolu- tion of condemnation aimed at them. It would make things mighty interesting for Speaker Cannon if bona fide, non partisan committee should ever start any kind of an investigation in the House.
 The Appropriations.
 That Congress will not cut the appro- priations for the next fiscal year below those made in the last session of the Sixty-first Congress is the conviction of many members Of Cor gres5 and officials who have beeD3 studying tt4 appropria- tons situation with care.
 This means that the coming regular ses- sion of Congress Is likely to authorize the expenditure of more than s1, 900. 000, ,000.
 Tn other words 1t looks as if another Sl, COG, GOO, ,000 session were ahead in spite of all the talk that there has been about economy. The total appropriations made by the last session of the Sixty-frst Con- gress amounted in round numbers to S1,044,00O,o0O This broke all previous rec ords For years back the appropriations have been mounting up, session by ses~ sion.
 They have been going up at the rate of about S3O,0OO,0oO a year. On this basis the appropriation next session would amount well toward the $1 JOG, ,000.000 mark.
 Justice Appointment.
 President Taft will have to go through a good deal of pulling and hauling be- fore he can name his friend, Judge Hor- ace Lurton of Tennessee. to the PeclSham vacancy on the supreme court. The death of Justice Peckham leaves unrepresented on the highest court the eastern territory from Massachusetts to Alabama. Not only this but the corporation influences will use every effort to secure the appoint ment of anyone of several candidates who are now being prominently mentioned for the position. The age of Judge Lurton Is being commented upon a possible bar to his being named.
 If the Presidents appoints Judge Lur- ton he would be the oldest man ever placed on the supreme bench. Of the < men who have been appointed since the organization, only six have been above 60, The average at which men have been named for the bench is 51.3 years.