The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-26

opinion over the proposition of selecting
the committees OF the new Democratic
House.
To make matters more interesting, ii
became evident yesterday that during
the approaching session. possibly before
the Christmas holidays, another fight on
the rules Is 10 be launched in the House,
and that insurgent Republicans will at
tempt 10 amend the rules so az 20 pro-
vide for the election of committee on
committees. which. in turn. will name
all of the House committees independent
OF the Speaker. Democratic Congressman
say. however. that anything the present
House enacts viii have no bearing on
the next House
on the rules there are no Republican
precedents which a Democratic House
feels at all bound to follow.
The insurgent Republicans win receive
the support OF a number OF Democrats
on the proposition. Representatives Hay
and Carin, OF Virginia. the latter now
serving his second term, are especially
active In their advocacy OF committee
on committees
| The subject OF a committee on CON-
mittees has never come before the House.
Several members have advocated il In
speeches. notably Representative Norris.
Of Nebraska. but further than that the
matter has rested, although Representa-
tive Hay, Of Virginia. did introduce n
resolution 20 this effect during the last
session.
Not Part of CRnnOnism.
Many of the Democratic members
claim that the question OF the selection
OF committees has very little 10 do with
so-called Cannonism. They contend that
| Mr.. Clark. even were he inclined 10 be
arbitrary, would have the example OF
Speaker Cannon before him as we'll as
the certainty Of party defeat IN 1912 IL
/ be should IN any way attempt 10 exeF-
else the Speakership power IN the man
ner which brought the present Speaker
into dlsrepute.
| II Is pointed out that in the debate on
the rules OF the present Congress Repre-
sentative Townsend. OF Minnesota. said
on the floor OF the House thas the Demo-
Gratis do not dare now. II Seems, sub
nit that "a committee on committees) as
/ a proposition for the House 10 vote
upon
The principal Democratic criticism
I against the rules has been that through
the Speaker measures which were
thought TO be OF great Importance could
not be brought before the House and
considered, even though a majority was
known TO favor them. That such a situ-
alton would arise under the administra-
ton of Mr. Clark is declared utterly
ridiculous by those who are opposing a
committee on committees.
Representative Burgess. OF Texas, is
-.
election OF a committee on committees.
which in turn is 10 name all of the
House committees. The Texas Congress
man believes that Cannonism is synon-
( ymOus with Republicanism and that
[ Ciarkism will be synonymous with De-
mocracy. Clark he looks upon as a
/ Speaker who will mete out equal JUS
tice to all Mr.. Cannon, he contends,
did not do so.
Three ways to select.
There are three ways TO select the
House committees" said Mr. Burgess
last night: First by the Speaker; sec
| ond. by caucus, and third, by a COM
mittee on committees. The second way
Is impracticable, and few support it. and
the issue is between the selection by
the Speaker and by the committee on
committees. 1t will, of course. be adj
mltted that there will be bitterness in any
way chosen. No way win satisfy all of
those who want chairmanships or paTtic-
ular committee assignments.
ITO my mind. il is inevitable that II
the committees are selected by a COM
mittee q log-rolling scheme will be the
result, and the best hand-shaker AMI
the most popular man personally viii get
the best place The committee would
be responsible 70 no one but tho con-
stituents OF the individual members They
have themselves to look after. and When
self the wavering balance shakes, it's
rarely right adjusted.
ION the other hand, the Speaker is
selected invariably from the few ablest
members Of longest service. and by his
election is lifted above all those consider
atoms which would influence a committee.
He knows the members and their quail
/ ifications for places. The country holds
him responsible for the organization of
| the House In the interest of the country
and the party. and being one man so lift
ed up. there is less opportunity for him to
be swayed by prejudice or passion. and
the country and the party will get a
better organization Of the House in that
way.
Voice for Minority.
There is, however. al least one respect
in which the rules ought to be modified.
That is to allow the minority to select
1