The Washburn leader., 1910-06-24
CHAIRMAN OF
COMMITTEES
McCumber has a Position not 50
Easily Obtained IN the Senate
by New Men.

ported the candidacy of Senator
Hansbrough for reelection, among
other things On the grounds that
his long service in the senate we're
an asset to which the state was en-
titled and that new man would
be Handicapped because of the alb
sence of committee prestige. The
aame logic applies to the case of
Senator MOI Cumber. He has serv-;
Ied twelve years in the senste and
by hard work and diligent applica-
ton has secured places high up on
important committees.
At this time Senator McCumber
is chairman of the pension commit
tee and has charge of all the pen
sion legislation, not only the pri-
vate bills, but the general laws as
well. If is mark of confidence
in the integrity and honesty of
Senator McCumber that practical.
ly every private pension bill is
passed under the unanimous con-
sent rule which principle accepts
the report of the chairman as an
absolute guide for the action of
the senate.
Senator McCumber is ranking
memter of the committee on inter-
oceanic canals which has direction
of all legislation and appropria-
tions for the great Panama canal.
The chairman of that committee is
|Senator Flint of California who
has announced that he will not be
Ia candidate for reelection, 80 after
the fourth Of next: March Senator
fMcG Gumber would by the rules Of
seniority by which important chair
manships are distributed, become
the chairman Of that committee.
He would be the directing head of
the committee when the work is
completed and the world promi.
nence which will be attached to
that event would be a distinct cred
it to. North Dakota. 80.
While the place held by Senator
McCumber on the great finance
committee was not secured until
after the retirement of Senator
Hansbrough who was the ranking
member, and before the end of an
other term would have been the
chairman, his active and able work
in shaping many features of the
present tariff law in which the
northwest was particularly inter-
terested, brought him into such
favorable prominence that he be-
came one of the leaders in the tar
if debate and in the formation of
the schedules in the committee.
Another important committee
assignment is that on Indian af-
fairs, where he is ranking mem.
ber and has personal charge Of
much Of the legislation. It was to
this position that the Hanna bill
for the opening Of the Berthold
reservation met such smooth sail.
ing in the senate, whore in the
past such bills have often been
held up for years.
Mr.. McC Cumber is one Of the
three republican members Of the
committee on expenditures in the
depaztment Of the interior, which
committee has charge OF the ex-
penditures for such things as irri-
cation and similar projects, as
we'll as the land Offices, Indian al
lotments and all matters concern.
ing Indian lands.
Another important committee.
ship is that on the census which
while it is supposed to be needed
|only every ten years, is in reality
Engaged all the time in some fea-
tnres Of public information.
Senator Aldrich has been charg-
led with being the boss Of the sem
ate, yet he holds positions on but
four committees, one Of which ID
that On rules which has no work