The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-11-20
Taking Power From the
Speaker Is One Of the
]. Most Important
DEMOCRATIC PARTY is
UNITED ON LEGISLATION
Republicans Want TO See the Opposing
Majority Tackle the Tariff, Pre-
Acting That Democracy
VIII Be Wrecked
ny RALPH NJ. wHITEsIDE


Washington, November 19.-(spe-
cial. )-Wil President Taft call an ex-
ira session of Congress? VIII the
democrats consent to change in the
House rules, taking the committee ap-
pointing power from the speaker? VIII
the republicans undertake the revis-
Ion of some of the most Objectionable
features of the Payne-Aldrich tariff
nt the short session?
Here are a trio of questions which
form the staple of conversation among
the incoming politicians and statesmen
of both parties.
You can get any kind of an answer
to either one of them you desire. 1t
all depends upon whom you are talk
ing to- The republicans here are con-
fident the democrats are going to
smash when they tackle the tariff, and
profess to be anxious to see an extra
session called in order that the dis
sensions in the ranks of the enemy will
be sufficiently pronounced to decide the
election in 1912 Strange as it may
appear, those democratic leaders who
are here seem to be perfectly willing
to put the matter to the test and
evince no fear at all of an extra ses-
sion
In fact some of the most influential
men in the party have no hesitation in
saying they will welcome an extra
session. :
Party Not split
This idea that the democratic party
: Is hopelessly split on the tariff is a
mistake" declared one leading demo
crat to me. when il comes to us to
take up this work we will tackle some
of the worst of the schedules as a
united party and We'll straighten them
out to the satisfaction of the people.
yWhen the Payne-Aldrich bill was be-
fore Congress we knew high protec-
tion measure was bound to pass and
some of the democrats, while against
the principal OF protection, contended
that Ii would be foolish to permit the
products of their sections to be dis
criminated against and took an APP
parentlv inconsistent attitude outside
the question of the propriety of this
course of reasoning it was not un-
ma t0ral.
you'll find these men are perfectly
, ready to fall in line for a reasonable tar
\ iff revision. The fact that the views of
the progressive republican senators must
be met In order to get any tariff egisa-
ton to the President. precludes radical
measure, and will make ii easier for the
democrats to get together. If Mr.. Taft
end the republicans want an extra ses-
sion they'll find the democrats ready, in
fact anxious to tackle the work entrust-
ed to them by the country
The Speakers Power
The second question is giving the dem
ocfatJ more concern than the first. The
Lest opinion is that the rules will be
amended and a committee on committees
appointed. 1t will be confessed that some
OF the old-lne democratic leaders are not
nearly so enthusiastic over this PROPOSE
ton as they were in the spring, but there
Is big element in the party which holds
that it is pledged to the change; that the
wight against czarism in the House had
II much to do with the recent democratic
tUvctory. and the party must make good on
ythis pledge. They are sufficiently in
earnest about it to jump the. reservation
X and join with the republican insurgents
| and make a fight If necessary.
u Rather than force or face such fight,
It is believed that the old-liners will
gracefully give in and let the House name
It's own committees.
1t ds hardly possible that there will be
! time enough for any tariff revision at the
VI short session. Thes standpatters are
Xstrong enough to Illustrate any such at
Wtempt il it is made. Congress will be put
Eto it. as IL is to handle the appropriation
Y bills and absolutely necessary legislation
before the 9Th Of March. And unless the
majority was practically unanimous II
would be impossible to handle a single
schedule Of the tariff. And the majority
Is about as far from being unanimous as
can be imagined.
On that rules question it is by no means
improbable that the question may be set
tied at the short session.
Norris VIII Lead
Representative Norris of Nebraska
one of the foremost republican insur-
gents. who has all along been fight
Ing for committee on committees, and
who was reelected by a large ma
tority in a district considered close
is not going to let up in his efforts
10 get a committee on committees. II
Is learned that Judge Norris view, as
he has communicated it to his friends
here Is to carry out the balance OF
y the so-called insurgent programme at
the earliest opportunity and at the
short session If possible. s
n What is expected Is that any day
" after the first Monday In December
when the omens look propitious Norris
will arise In his place and move adop-
tion of a resolution to establish a
committee on committees. Then the
war will be fairly on. 1t will be hard
to escape a test vote and 1t will not
be easy for gentlemen who are now
not disposed to dodge the issues to get
\ on record.
other insurgent leaders than Judge
Norris are anxious to see the matter
nreSSe0. IIepTtSculdtlNo rnuTQOck IL
expected to take prominent part
IN 1t.
Patronage for Democrats
one thing in connection with the
new House in which the democrats
find solid comfort Is that there is some
OF the patronage coming their way
This patronage embraces the appoint
ment of about 500 employees of the ma
tional House. Not one OF these en-
ployes is under the civil service. They
are subject to the political complexion
of the House For 40 years the re-
publican members divided the Jobs
among their supporters at home.
Now, it happens. that the 500 good
and loyal republicans will retire from
the easy walks in the capitol to tht
private pursuits of life, and 500 good
and loyal democrats will cheerfully
step In and take their places. These
= Jobs range in pay from $500 year td
.a5ooo Most of them are worth. more
Than $500 and less than $1,000, but all
kof them are. worth while, and all OF
N them are pursued with persistence
worthy Of the public service