Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-27
DEMOCRATS SCORN WOOL MEN
Underwood Says Arguments Are Dis
counted in Advance.
ATTITUDE OF ENTIRE MAJORITY
No Action Taken by Republican
Minority COncerning Committees
Places to He Filled By
Ranking Members.

WASHINGTON, March 16-Members of
the ways and means committee Of the
house Of representatives are not much
exercised by the announcement that west
ern wool growing interests are preparing to
march upon Washington in force when the
tariff question is considered.
while / have no authority to say that
wool growers viii not be given hearing,
said Chairman Underwood, 1T is my opin-
ion that they might just as well make an
assault upon GlbrEItAt aS upon the house.
We know now all the hsfarguments that viii
be advanced against the revision OF sched
ule "K," but there is question about
what the house will do. We will make our
revision and send 1t to the senate and
whether It goes any further remains to be
seen"
The comment made by Mr.. Underwood
reflects the attitude Of the entire majority
OF the ways and means committee and the
leaders of the new democratic house.
Acting as a committee on committees the
members of the ways and means committee
have practically completed their labors.
There has been a great deal Of specua-
ton about the chairmanships and the gem
eral impression is that in general the
seniority rule has been followed. but as
the lists prepared are all subject TO change
at the democratic caucus to be held next
Saturday, there will be no official
nouncement made of the proposed oFgani-
cation in advance of that time. Possibly
it will be the Judgment OF the caucus that
all of the committees should not be
ganized Immediately and this fact is an
additional reason why the ways and means
committee is trying to keep secret the re-
suit of it's labors.
No action has been taken by the repub-
Iican minority concerning committees. The
republicans will have one-third of the mem
bership of each committee and it is prob
able that most OF the important places will
be filled by men who are now the ranking
members. 1t is likely that a place on ap-
propriations will be given to Mr.. Cannon,
| who was chairman Of that committee prior
TO his elevation to the speakership.
! When democratic leaders heard that there
was a movement on the part Of standpat
| republicans 20 make Mr.. Cannon the minor
! ity leader of the house 1t was assumed
that he would be given the room in the
| basement formerly occupied by Champ
Clark who is to be speaker
Champ, / don't want that room OF
yours said Uncle Joe, when he heard Of
this plan. why. 1t is right up against the
ice box and I'd have rheumatics In all my
joints in less than a week"
The room in question adjoins the refrig-
Grating plant at the capitol and is damp at
times. Arrangements then were made by
! the democrats to provide a room for Mr..
Cannon on the main floor convenient to
the chamber. This action was intended as
a courtesy to the man who has been in
control OF the house reins for so long. and
the action would have been taken whether
Mr. Cannon was elected minority leader or
not. Immediately, however, the anti-Can-
non republicans were aroused. and now II
looks as. IL the minority leadership will be
disposed Of only after a fight.
Mr. Cannon has told a number OF his
friends that he does not want the leader
ship Of the minority. I've had my fling "
ne said. Unless urged by standpatters II
is not believed he will be a candidate In
the event ne should not be elected II Is
likely that the contest will be between
Mann OF Illinois and Weeks Of Massachu.
I sets Both would be sure of large follow
ings should they become active candidates
Few senators have been in the city dur
in gthe last week Some time ago Il wal
. announced that no effort would be made Il
take up the question Of filling vacancies OF
, committees until after the Convening o.
congress in extra session on April T. Al
( OF the talk that has been heard has beer
OF an entirely informal nature but Il indi
{ cat that there will be a genuine attemp
Of gulars and progressive republicans {,
! get together" The promotions 20 vacan
! chairmanships under the seniority rule vii
, give the progresslves a good show and
is likely also that places will he given L
this faction on some Of the most importan
J committees. such as finance. appropriation
and Judiciary.