The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-22

The fierce row over the rules Of the
House Of Representatives broke out afresh
yesterday morning.
As a result OF the adoption of the in
surgent proposition for an enlargement
OF the Committee on Rules and the elimi-
nation OF the Speaker from that body, II
was thought that hostilities along this line
would not be resumed. al least until after
the administration legislative programme
had been disposed Of by the House.
But Immediately after the House con-
vened and the reading Of the journal had
been concluded. Representative Fowler,
OF New Jersey, who was deposed from the
craftsmanship Of the Banking and Cur
rency Committee by Speaker Cannon, and
who has been exceedingly bitter against
the Speaker ever since. offered a resolu-
ton. for which he claimed privilege, for
the creation OF "A majority and a minority
committee on committees.
Renewal of the Fight.
a small attendance of members was on
the floor at the time. But to those who
were present il was apparent that the
offer OF the resolution meant a resumption
Of the fight on the rules and another test
Of strength between the regular Repub-
Leans. standing behind Uncle Joe. and the
insurgent Republicans. combined with
their late allies. the full strength OF the
minority
The clerk ha9 hardly completed the
reading OF the Fowler resolution when
Representative Serene Payne. Of New
York. the Republican floor leader. made
the point Of order that the resolution was
not privileged. Thereupon, Representative
Hardwick. Of Georgia. made the point OF
no quorum, and Representative Payne
suggested a cali of the House
The resolution offered by Mr.. Fowler
provides that from and after the first
week Of the third session of the Sixty
hrst Congress all standing committees.
special committees and commissions OF
the House Of Representatives shall be
appointed, as hereinafter set forth by
two committees, a committee consisting
of seven members Of the majority party
IN the House Of Representatives. to be
called the Majority Committee on Com
mittees.' and seven members of the mi
nority party in the House OF Representa-
tlves. to be called the Minority Commit
tee on Committee"
Provides for Seven Districts.
II is provided by the resolution that
the Director OF the Census. by drawing
six parallel lines. running north and
south, shall divide the United States
into seven districts IN such manner that
each district shall consist, as far as pos
sible, Of One-seventh Of the population of
the United States.
'On or before the commencement OF
the third session OF the Sixty-frst Con
gress." says the resolution. "the Director
OF the Census shall certify TO the clerk
Of the House OF Representatives these
seven districts. each containing one-sev-
enth Of the population Of the United
States, as laid out by him. with the
metes and bounds Of each district.
"Thereupon. during the first week Of
the third session Of the Sixty-frst Con-
gress. the members Of the majority party
In the House OF Representatives residing
In each district shall meet by districts
and select one OF their number as a
member Of the majority committee on
committees for the district I'm which they
reside
The same method is provided for the
selection Of the members OF the minority
committee on committees.
tits then specified that the majority and
minority committees on committees shall
meet and organize and elect their chair
men.
How Committee Shall Act.
The chairman OF every standing COM
mittee, special committee. or commission
in the House Of Representatives" II Is
provided, shall be a member OF the
majority party in the House AMI snail be
elected by his standing committee. special
committee. or commission"
After the call OF the House had been
completed. Speaker Cannon pointed out TO
Mr.. Fowler that the resolution. not hav-
Ing been previously introduced and not
having the advln age Of the ten-6Ay
period Of inacton. was not prlvilesed
Thereupon the New Jersey member with
drew 1t and dropped Il in the basket to
take its regular course
He says he will call It Up again IN ten
N'~s ~ 1NiiANSo "ft-pll ~ lldQ upon IL carrier
than that. which seems improbable. and
the row which threatened 20 come of
to-day, and which is merely postponed
temporarily. viii break cut again.
Fowler States HIS Position.
The House Of Representatives should
now take tie final step t. insure its
freedom said Mr.. Fowler yesterday.
after all the excitement was over.
1.-THE Capitalization in the Speaker Of
the right to appoint committees and to
control legislation through the Committee
on Rules and the power OF recognition
made him the most pervasive and auto
cratic influence I'm American political life
To say that the consequences Of these
powers had made the Office a gigantic
machine Of political blaCkman is only TO
state what everybody now admits.
How often have we seen men rolling