Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-25
HOUSE LOCKS HORNS
IN BITTER CONTEST
ON FARM FREE LIST
Republican Regulars and In
SurgentS Break Forth in An
other Row and Democrats
Make Third Party to Fight

WASHINGTON, d. C., April z2--Wltn
the reciprocity bill out of the way the
democratic organization of the house
rested on its oars to-day, preparatory
to resuming activities with renewed vigor
next week The farmers free list and
the reapportionment are ready for con-
sideration in the house. 1t is believed
that the former will have the right Of
way. but there is a strong movement
among certain democrats to first pass the
reapportionment measure. The free list
bill will precipitate a prolonged debate
and bitter struggle, whereas reappor-
tionment legislation will meet with little
resistance.
NEW GEORGIA DISTRICT.
The desire to hasten the passage of the
reapportionment bill comes from the tact
that its enactment would make it posi-
BILE foTN several state legislatures now ia
session to proceed with the redistricting
of their states The Georgia members
are interested in the early passage CT
the bill so as to enable the assembly
that meets in June to create a twelfth
congressional district and rearrange the
other eleven.
Reapportionment legislation, however,
is of small Importance as compared with
the interest centering about the farmers
free list, and the farmers free list. in
turn, is dividing attention with the sit
uation in the senate where another row
has broken out between the regular re-
publicans and the insurgents. The diff
ferences between these republican fac
tions in the upper house may delay tile
organization of the senate, for an in
definite period, during which time rio
legislation will be considered. Reciproci-
t. and all other measures will lie DOR
mant 1t is conceded that the democratic
organization Will succeed in putting is
farmers free list through the house with
very few, if any changes. but ii is GER
tain that the republicans will make
bitter struggle against its passage. ThAy
are primed for the hardest fight of their
career.
ATLANTIANS VISIT CONGRESS.
A provision in the farmers free list
brought Thomas K. Glenn and Robert
Gregg, both of Atlanta. to Washington.
They came to urge upon democratic
members to defeat the section of the free
list placing cotton ties. wire fencing.
nails and other steel products on the
free list. Mr. Glenn is at the head OF
the Atlanta Steel company, and he
claims that the removal of the duty from
these steel products will seriously injtre
his business. 1t may be stated that the
Atlanta steel magnates were not very
much encouraged over the situation as
they found it in the house. No Georlsia
member agreed to come to their aid in
their fight. Chairman Underwood. on the
floor of the house. has declared that the
steel trust has tried to influence his atti-
tude toward steel and steel products by
closing down some of their industries
in Birmingham, his home district lie
has announced that he has no intention
of departing from his original purpose
to reduce the duties on steel and steel
products and he will fight with renewed
zeal for the passage of the steel items
on the farmers free list. His attitude
is warmly commended by the rank and
file of the democratic membership Of the
house.
1t was in connection within the tree
list bill as it figured in the reciprocity
debate that Mr.. Underwood declared; Il
challenge the statement that the deinD4
Gratis are going to pass the free list bin
with the expectation that it viii not be-
come law.
The free list bill will become law, or the
Republican senate that kills it or the
Republican president that vetoes it win
never be heard from again.
REPUBLICANS AT WAR.
The dove of peace that lowered for ten
days or two weeks over the rival Re
publican camps in the senate seems to
have taken wings and flown away The
insurgents are again on the war path.
Committee assignments are the bone of
contention. Senators Lafollette, Cum
Minis Bristow and the nine other in
surgents of the senate demand that they
shall be recognized a political entity
in the organization of the senate COM
mittees. Senators Gallinger, Crane and
other standpatters decline such recosni-
tion. but agree that the insurgents shall
be recognized individually in the assign
ment of the places. AS result of these
differences no committee places have
been filled by the Republicans and the
rival factions are trying to meet on a
common ground.
Mr.. LaFollette claims that ne and Mr..
Bristow as insurgent members of the
committee on committees, should con-
troll absolutely the assignment of insur-
gents to committee places. The standpat-
tiers are willing that the insurgents shall
have desirable committee assignments,
but they claim the right to designate
these places.
And all is not harmonious in the DEM
ocratic camp in the senate. Senator Mar
tin, the titular leader. has made dismal
failure He is being scored on all sides
on account of the steering COMMITTEES
he appointed. The Democratic steering
committee is said to be nothing more
than a common committee and its per-
sonnet the weakest in the history of the
senate. 1t has been unable to satisfacto-
rily dispose of the Democratic COMMITTEES
assignments and all sorts of rumblings of
discomfort may be heard among the
Democrats.
Senator Martin, although an avowed
candidate for the senate leadership, had
only five followers on his own account.
His election was possibly only through
the influence of Bailey and his friends.
There were Is of them, and all voted Cor
Martin. He received q votes. In naming
the steering committee Martin recog
nized four of his five friends, and ig-
nored the Bailey faction. Indeed. he left
Bailey himself off the committee.
The Martin men he named were Bank
head, of Alabama; Clarke, of Arkansass
Simmons, of North Carolina, and CuIber-
son, of Texas.
Senator Bacon. who declined 10 accept
tle minority leadership" and who sub
sequently retired from the steering COM
mittee of his own accord, has been inn
portuned to accept a place on the finance
committee of the senate. He has de-