New-York tribune., 1911-01-17
DEMOCRATS IN 4 ROW
Representative Dies, of Texas,
Tells of Clique to Run Caucus.
He WARNS NEW MEMBERS
Saws Choicest Committee Assign
ments Have Been Parcelled Out
to the early Birds"
rrror The Tribune Bureau. J

rTrorn The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Jan. 16.-"A cold deck for
The coming caucus" is the title OF an open
letter which Representative Martin Dies
a Texas Democrat. sent 10 every Demo-
cratic member and member-elect OF the
House tonight Mr. Dies warns his fel-
low Democrats that House CLIQUE OF
early birds" has already decreed VINO
shan have the choicest committee assign
inents in the cd Congress.
Mr. Dies may be said 10 belong 10 the
protection wing Of the Democratic party
I'm that he voted with Brantley. Pou'
Rroussard and others FOR q duty on luIn-
her and other homo products. The ways
and Means Committee Of the new House
Mr. Dies charges, has been so constituted
as 10 leave out IN the cold those whose
political beliefs DO not conform 70 those
az the "self-constituted House leaders
Some OF the more pertinent extracts from
MIR. pics's open letter 10 those who VIII
Constitute the majority OF the next House
throw light upon the internccine STRIFE
snonR the Democrats. and are rs follows:
"1t was thought best 20 have caucus
for January 10 IN order TO elect tentative
ways and means committee, 10 begin pre-
paratory work on the tariff. At this tunct-
,rA certain enterprising members conceived
the bold idea Of usurping the powers which
Il had been tacitly agreed should be taken
from the Speaker. They began 20 promote
the scheme which Is 10 be served up stale
10 the coming caucus There were mere
handful OF them. They were each playing
for q strong committee place. hey issued
% per cent OF the stock to themselves as
promoters 10 start with. and used the re-
naming 50 per cent Of the stock 10 lull GER
tain restless Aguinaldos who exhibited
signs OF revolt The uninitiated were
handed various sized allotments OF base
sediment. and all went along rs merry as
a marriage bell AS usual in such cases
The early bird got the worm. a high pre-
MUM was placed upon the active art OF
canvassing.
LOG Rolling and Trading.
After much trading. log rolling and
some intimidation. the early birds think
they are safe.
The deck from which they propose to
deal themselves all the good hands has
been cunningly stacked and placed IN cold
storage All that remains for the caucus
10 do is 10 Tatify what the early birds
have already evolved from the traffic or
the cloakroom and secret conclave.
..In nediatiug upon this arrogant piece Of
.nItlNdl
Der that our leaders are the victims rather
rlap the DroCenitors Of It. The leaders are
striving for harmony and peace in the
rarty. The early birds. taking advantage
Of the disposition of loyal Democrats TO
Keep the peace in the party, have assumed
tho role OF dictators and distributed TO
themselves all the important committee
places
They have already cast lots for the gar
rrcat. Of Joseph. while that nimble prophet
i- .c- hammerinE away I'm the corn marts
o. T-ypt They have partitioned the prov
.... or CIsar some months in advance OF
t., .#os Of March, and without waiting for
.. deadly result OF the rent which the
,ut4ous Casca made.
Pretending TO emanCipate the House
from the power OF the Speaker TO appoint
Committees these self-scepteTed rulers have
\ aouncd the imperial purple and presume 10
III .akc upon themselves by strategy and In
Y .r.-ur those powers which they so loudly
declared we're not safe in the hands OF the
Speaker, duly chosen by the House, and
rs-ponsible alike TO the country and TO
-hoso who elevated him. These early birds
.5d us strip the Speaker Of his power al
most % year I'm advance OF his Induction
iuto and while we are yet celebrating
upon that proposition they contrive by Sc
cret trades and silent accommodations 10
throttle the House with a tyranny unre-
lCyed By gratitude and unrestrained by
responsibility.
Few Democrats Consulted.
you will be surprised when you come 10
know that handful Of men have put up
this fob on the caucus. II you knew how
fcw and weak they are, and could behold
,l,,g, g,,.
the means by which they did ascend-the
state would break with crash and the
cold deck he returned 20 storage as me
ucnto Of abortiye usurpatiOn.
Not one-tenth of the Democratic mem
bcrship was consulted by the Junta. Prac-
t:cally none Of the new members were con-
suited
Worms who feel inclined 10 turn will be
gwen an opportunity at the caucus. There
are some members of Congress whose self
respect will impel them TO enter protest
Some OF these gentlemen have been in the
House a long time. and some Of them for
only a brief period. But even new mem
bers can vote. and unless we are in search
Of masters with Tnasks on we had better
exercise that privilege at the caucus. Speak
now or forever hold your peace
NO greater insult has ever been offered
the representatives Of the people than this
cut and dried slatG impudently stuck under
the nose OF gentlemen for quick action.
And members should bear this in mind ::
As a party Democrat you have a perfect
right 10 protest now and in the caucus,
But when the caucus acts you must ever
after hold your peace. Don't you think we
had better go slowly and take plenty Of
timer"
DEEP WATERWAYS REPORT