The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-20
By RALPH M. wHIrEsIDE

washington. March 19-(Special )--The sceptre of power and the crown of legis- lative autocracy were wrenched from Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon without ceremony In the House of Representa- lives this afternoon, bringing to climax the most bitter feud that ever waged within the halls of Congress.
 Led by Representative George William, Norris of Nebraska, who opened the clos ing chapter in this national drama on Thursday, the coalition forces of re- publican insurgents and democrats stornled the citadel of the regulars and when the noise of the strife had ceased the office of the speakership of the House-the most powerful legislative of- flee in the United States-the Cannon regime was shown of it's vast powers and placed upon a parity with the presidency of the Senate, an executie position which carries no executive powers.
 The session of the House which opened at noon today after the conferences had failed to effect a compromise between the insurgents and regulars over the rules committee of the House and the powers of the speaker was the most dramatic in a long series of pyrotechni- cal gatherings.
 The plans for Speaker Cannon's water loo had carefully been laid. Cannon knew it, but with his back to the wall. he drew his sturdy henchmen about him and while he sat grim and determined before the house of tumult, Representa- tives Gaines, Payne, Dalzel and Tawney sought to stem the tide which crept closer upon the speaker every hour.
 The heaviest artillery on both sides was unlmbered and above the roar and confusion of oratory, the packed gall leries sat spell-bound with occasional bursts of cheers which mingled with the thunder from beneath.
 Thrill of Victory
 The tensity of excitement, the electric thrill of victory and defeat, the over drawn nerves taxed with exhaustion and the chaos of bedlam, all intermingled
 in a cloud which settled upon the legis-
 ator and spectator alike. The clear-cut genius of Representative Norris and his close followers were never shown to bet ter advantage. moments loss of self possession in the uproar would have meant an opportunity to the careful watchers among the brilliant Cannon fol- lowers. A moments laxity in the conn., prehenson of parliamentary rules would set back the wave of victory which was sweeping in its relentless fury over the organization of the Cannon forces
 In the excitement of battle there was no time to consider the future conse- ouences, nevertheless the fight on prin- ciple which has ragged in Congress Tor three days, will have the farthest reaching effect upon legislative and political con- ditions in the United States that have been noted in many years. It means the complete upheaval of a system which has to l,a If nf States government. It indicates new regime in the making of national laws It bespeaks a new method in the handling of admin- istratfon programmes.
 The political effect is even greater, for while each representative, whether he be insurgent or regular claims tonight that he answered the will of his constituents, the broad continuation will not be felt for two years yet, when it comes time for another national campaign.
 While the warfare in the House surged around insurgent and regular standards. conditions in the Senate changed in one svmpathetic sweep. The upper house stands on the eve of a revolution as con- seeuental as the rebellion which has shaken the House of Representatives.
 The Call of Norris
 The bugle sounded by Representative Norris reached farther than the walls of the House The movement which was commenced in the Senate chamber two years ago by Senator LaFolette, when he asked for revision of the committees. stands now within the shadow of success it the Senate insurgents show the bril- liant daring and pertinacity of their brethren in the House. bill of no par ticular moment to the nation at large will be sent to committee on Monday bv the Senate. Senator Dixon aided and abetted by the progressives and demo- crats, wants it to go to the committee on conservation of natural resources.
 CONTINUED ON FACE sl.