The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-01-09
.C[APP To- GET
ELK|NS' PLACE.
Minnesotan Will Become Head :
Of Interstate Commerce
Committee i ~

Washington. Jan. 0.-The vacancy
In the craftsmanship Of the senate
committee on interstate commerce
caused by the death Of Senator Elkins
and the fact that Senator Clapp Of
Minnesota, pominent as an insurgent,
Is in line for the head Of that great
committee. emphasizes the rapidity
with which the "old guard" is dis
sappearing and the probable ap-
preaching control by the progressives.
Chairmanships in the senate are
worked up to by members, and re-.
ward comes through seniority of ser
vice. This custom never has been
violated. and it retains the. force and
effect practically OF a well-defned
rule. CONSERVATION reigned among
the small band of regulars that will
be left after March 4 next when they
discovered that Mr.. Clapp. the old
fighter from Minnesota, BLACK
Eagle" as he Is sometimes called,
would be in position to demand and
to receive the Craftsmanship of the
committee whose duty 1t is to formu-
late all legislation bearing upon
railroad corporations, their manage
ment, and control. Next to Senator
Elkins ranks Mr.. Cullom, former
chairman of the interstate commerce
committee and now chairman of the
comittee on foreign relations. He
gave up his old committee to Mr..
Elkins for foreign relations several
years ago. Following Mr.. Cullom in
their order come Senators Aldrich Of
Rhode Island. and Kean Of New Jer.
sey, both Of whom will be out Of pub.
lie life with the end of the present
congress. Clapp ranks next in tho
Republican membership.
Guided by Old Rule
The Republican steering committee
in filing committee vacancies always.
has been guided by seniority Of ser
vice. The only way in which the MIN.
nesota senator could be kept out Of
this craftsmanship would be for sena-
tor Cullom to yield the chairmanship
of foreign relations, which he highly
prizes, and demand his old committee,
Should Mr.. Cullom take this course
at the instance of Republican senate
obvious there is great doubt II g.
COuAu Uo C0I4AOu Ouss n OIIU89I0 "
tween the factions that would becomo
would be participated,
and that above all other things the
president seeks to avoid.
Senator Clapp. therefore, undoubt-
edly will be given this chairmanship,
and the insurgents will be intrenched
at the head Of one Of the powerful
committees.
Insurgent on Railroads
The Minnesota chairman has been
insurgent on the subject
Of railroad legislation. He urged
many amendments relating to rate
regulation when the last bill was up
that the committee would not enter
tain. On the subject Of railroad leg
islation he is extremely radical and
while it would not be possible for him
to swing the committee to his way
Of thinking merely because he hap
pened to be chairman. his influence
az chairman and his control of the
committee business would give him
a commanding position before the sen.
ate.
The bare suggestion that Senator
Clapp may become chairman Of this
committee probably will bring to bear
upon the Republican leaders the
pressure of the larger railroad cor
porations. Tradition and custom IN
the senate. however. is apparently
too powerful even for such Influences
to set aside established practices.