The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-22
DEMOCRATS PLAN
TO GAIN CONTROL
Proposition Has Been Made
to Insurgent Republicans
ys,a'FARE WILL CONTINUE
Insurgents Claim That the Heaviest
Load They Have to Carry Is Their
Identification with the Press
ent Regime
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEy

BY wATTERsON sTEALEY
Washington, March Especial )--If the
insurgent republicans of the House will
show the democrats that they can con-
troll the votes, the democratic side will
Join with them. give them two places on
the rules committee, declare itself "the
majority" party-the party of ''ailies''-
and vote for committee on rules con-
sisting of four democrats, two Insurgents
and four regular republicans. This was
the answer brought from the democratic
side today to oyertures made by certain
irsurgent republicans looking toward a
combination calculated to again scotch
Cannonism
Shortly after the House met there were
OF the three factions. They continued
all day and into the night, and until the
republican caucus Is held, which may be
several days yet, there will be no let up
in an effort to settle the fight within the
republican ranks. The democrats remain
firm in their position. They are willing
to join with the insurgents and elect the
rules committee. They are willing to
vote for another resolution deposing Can
non, or any other republican of the House
but they are decided to play the game
straight. The situation is up to the in
surgents. They were informed today that
the democrats will join them at any time
to beat the regulars as long as the latter
cling to Cannonism, but as soon as the
Insurgents join the regulars everything is
off.
Desire for Reform
AS has been indicated there is little like
lihood Of enough insurgents staying out
of the republican caucus to control the
House. Many of them would like to do
SO but this action, they declare. would
rob them of their desire to reform the
republican party from within. The in
surgents contend that the republican
party under Its present leadership is
all that the democrats say of 1t, even
worse, and it is their duty to carry on a
warfare against it In the hope Of work
icisin and appeal TO rsfsil toyers 20. 'si4~
country
They point to the fact that they have
been guided in their votes by great up
rising against the present methods OF the
regular republican organization and that
n republican congressman will sacrifice
his political life IL he does not heed 1t.
regular republican of the Cannon stripe,
they say, would not stand the ghost Of a
show In the west and 1t follows that dem
ocratic congressional candidates thls laii
are going to make things very lively
even for insurgent nominees on eiectlon
day. -,
Many of the insurgents expect to be
defeated by democratic candidates, but
thew console themselves with the thought
that there will be many regular IN
this Congress who will not be in the next.
The insurgents claim that the heaviest
load they have to carry IN the congress
is their Identification with the present re-
publican regime, but they argue that with
democrat tic candidates on their flanks they
can't hope for any votes from that side.
To make matters worse for them the re-
publican congressional COMMITTEES is 90
ing it's utmost to influence sentiment
against them and they are virtually be-
tween two fires
Several of the insurgents OF the class
OF nine that voted for the Burleson reso-
l,,tton to depose Cannon do not look for
ward with enthusiasm to entering the
republican caucus. To do so they feel they
win be bound by it, and 1t Is therefore
likely that there will be number or ap-
sentees who will look over the field after
fhe caucus accompiishes Its work. The
reg eular republicans are still undecided as
to what course they will take.
Cannon Is Still Bitter
The sneaker is bitterly opposed to yield
ing ANYTHING to the insurgents, and his
Immediate followers. who get their views
from him, naturally feel the same way
about It, There is, however, a strong
faction In the ranks of the regulars who
contend that the only way to make for
temporary peace in the present crisis Is
TO rive the insurgents representation. 1t
is this faction which is delaying the cau-
Gus IN the hope that the speaker can be
brought to terms.
Tho name of Representative Gardner Of
Massachusetts, as an insurgent member
of the committee, Is being suggested IN
rhis connection. Gardner has consistently
stood for a modification of the rules, but
was not among the nine that voted for
the Burleson resolution. On this basis he
would not be typical insurgent, but
even his selection would have to lead to
a. back-down of the regulars. None of
the republicans Is sanguine enough to be-
lieve that anything more than tenn
porary peace pact can be patched up.
After the stormy days Of the session
eliminating in the outbreak last week, 1t
is obvious that 1t will be only matter
of few days or weeks before the fac
tions are again at each others throats.
RansdeIl Is Elated
Representative Ransdell chairman of
the finance committee of the democratic
national congressional campaign commit.
tee is highly elated over the develop
nents of the last few days in the House
of Representatives, and sees In them a
sure index of victory for his party in the
congressional elections next fall.
II am delighted at the situation, and
unless all signs fail We are certain to
carry the next House. There was never
greater union in our ranks and more dis
cord among our opponents. 1t was ,glo-
rious to witness the splendid demeanor OF
cur forces in the giant struggle. Dur
| ing the Ions, bitter debates only three
short, dignified speeches, covering the case
| fully and consuming less than 20 min
u.es in all, were made by democrats but
we roundly applauded the yinnumerabls
hard blows given to the regulars by the
insurgents and we voted as unit every
time No one can justly charge us. after
that battle, with lack of harmony. II
demonstrated more forcibly than any
event during my II years of service ir
the House that democrats can agree and
work together in perfect accord when tht
situation demands"