The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-26
Another Fight on Rules May Occur As Soon As Con-
 grGss Assemblies
POWER OF SPEAKER MAY
 RE VERY MUCH REDUCED
Congressman Burgess 'of Texas Does Not Favor proposision to Put Power Of Naming Committees in thr
 Hands of R Committee
BY wATrrRsoN sTEALEY

B1 NAIIENSON SlDAbtSs
 Washington. November 25-( Especially Democratic congressman arriving in Washington show wide divergence of opinion over the proposition of selecting the committees of the new democratic House To make matters more interest ing it became evident today that during the approaching session, possibly before the Christmas holidays, another fight on the rules is to be launched in the House and that the insurgent republicans will attempt to amend the rules so as to pro- kvide for the election of a committee on committees, which in turn will name all of the House committees independent of the speaker.
 Democratic congressman admit, how ever. that anything the present House enacts will have no bearing on the next House. On the rules there are no re- publican precedents which a democratic House feels bound to follow. The insur- gent republicans will receive the support of number of democrats on the propo- sition. Representatives Hay and Carlin pf Virginia, the latter now serving his tecond term are especially active in their AdvoaacS of committee on commit ff4ees.
 
 mittees has never come before the House. Several members have advocated it in speeches, notably Representative Norris Of Nebraska, but further than that the matter has rested although Representa- tive Hay of Virginia did introduce a resolution to this effect during the last session.
 Very many of the democratic members claim that the question of the selection of committees has very little to do with so-called Cannonism. They contend that Mr Clark, even were he inclined to be asbitrary, would have the example of Sneaker Cannon before him and the cer- tainty of party defeat In 1912 if he should in any way attempt to exercise the power of the present speaker.
 Views of Burgess
 Representative Burgess of Texas iy ,ne | of the strongest opponents of the cleo fion of a committee on committees, which fIn turn is to name all of the House com mittees The Texas congressman believes cthat Cannonism Is SYNONYMOUS with re- < 5uhlicanism and that Clarkism will be
 yaonyrnons with democracy Clark he aesls i')on as q speaker who Will ntete out equal justice to all. MT Cannon, he contends dld not do so.
 There are three ways ta select the House committees said Mir Burgess to- might First. by the speaker; second, by
 
 mittees. The second way is impracti- cable and few support it, and the issue Is between the selection by the speaker or by the committee on committees sIt will, of course, be admitted that there will be bitterness in any way chosen. No way will satisfy all or those who want chairmanships or particular committee assignments. To my mind, It is ineyita ble that If the committees are selected by committee log-rolling scheme will be the result and the best handshakers and the most popular men personally will get the best places. The committee would be responsible to no one but the constituents of the individual members. They have themselves to look after and when self the wavering bal N asnce shakes 'tis rarely right adjusted &, U ..On the other hand the speaker is se- 5II.tcted invariably from the few ablest X,nembers of longest service, and by his S Seeflon is lifted above all those cpnsid- srations which would Influence commit Aee. He knows the members and their { qualifications for places The country holds him responsible for the organiza- ton of the House In the interest of the country and the party and being one man so lifted up there is less opportunity for him to be swayed by prejudice or pas sion and the country and the party will \ get a better organization of the House in that way.
 Modification of Rules
 "Th, Gre is however. at least one respect in which the rules ought to be modified. Thsfst is to allow the minority to select f.t8 own members of the committees. This ] would be done by amending the rules so as to provide that the speaker shall ap- point the minority members of the com mittee upon the recommendation of the minority leader. This ought to be done Then we would rid ourselves of the practice that has grown up of pick ing out men known to be in accord with the majority for minority places and thus weakening the minority. Under this ar rangement there would be no inducement to make friends with the speaker on the part of the minority members in order to get on some coveted committees. It would tend to clean politics.
 eIt has been suggested that the demo- cratic party Is committed to a commit x.ee on committees The very reverse Is Z3rue How can a party be committed? SrBv platform, by caucus action, by leg Ii Islation There is nothing in the platform, il tho caucus never indorsed the scheme and rho legislation enacted shows that the J party did not agree to this method True, inc insurgents wanted it but the demo- crats did not indorse it. They agreed that the speaker should not be a member of the committee on rules and that it should consist of ten members and the only way to get it was to elect the mem bers. That's all the record shows. In ,ny Judgment this was wise and I sup pose 1t will be done again but I will not support a committee on committees xnlcss by force of a caucus
 lsk Places for "Lamc DucIxs'' * Places for lame ducks" as defeated s congressmen are called, will be greatly in demand this winter and next The President is already hearing from them. The democratic landslide swept so many of them off their seats that the Presi- dent looks upon 1t as tough proposi- ton to care for even few Senator Carter of Montana has arrived and ad- mits that the democrats have got the legislature by a safe. but small majority. He is mentioned for a place. Then there is Senator Burrows of Michigan anu perhaps Senator Lodge of Massachusetts may join them. Representative Engle- bright Of California is an avowed canoi- date for Ballinger's place and there is a long list of other eligibles. including Par sons and Bonnet of New York. Key