Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-11
MUCH oPposlTloN TO DECISION
or COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
TO ENLARGE OTHERS.
INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP
WOULD De CUMBERSOME
Enlargement Decided Upon in ordsr TO
Give More Democrats Plaess-Soeial
Custom Established by Senator Halo
to End With HE 1srm-ciark and
His Slang.
Especial correspondence.]

Especial Correspondence
Washington. Feb. l1.-Democratic
members of some OF the most important
committees in the house are dissatis-
fed with the decision Of the committee
on committees to increase the size OF
the committees. As now orga nized the
standing committees Of the house are
believed 70 represent the highest stand
ard Of efficiency. The case Of the APP
preparations committee In the next
house is pointed oot as the best ex-
ample of an efficient committee which
! is likely to be injured by increasing Its
size.
AS now constituted the committee
consists Of seventeen members. It Is
from this committee that appropriation
bills authorizing expen ditures Of half
billion dollars a year are reported.
A major portion Of the work is done by
sub committees. the full committee be-
ing called upon to vote for particu-
lar bill only after 1t has been drafted
and drawn up for presentation to the
house Experience has demonstrated
that the examination Of government
officiels in connection with their esti-
mates is bes, done by SUBJ committe es
OF small membership. In the next house
the appropriations committee viii have
but three veterans on the dem ocratic
side. To load the committee up with
new members. it is pointed out. will
greatly hamper the work OF the COM
mittee.
Increasing the size OF the comm ittee
was agreed upon by the committee on
committees because OF the urgent de-
nands Of members for good committee
assignments. regardless OF its effect on
particular committees Now that this
crowding Of committees IL beginning
to take definite shape prospective
chairmen are protesting. and pointing
out that there will be unlimited con-
fusion. The appropriations committee.
IKE several others. now has a mem-
bership Of seventeen. It Il proposed
to increase shi. membership TO TWENTY
one for tho sole purpose Of gratifying
the desires Of ambitious members. Such
action, experienced members OF the
house say. viii not only prove a detri-
ment to good committee work but will
actually open up additional avenues
to the treasury. inasmuch as members
OF committees in charge OF appropria-
ton bills, being human ana with an
intimate knowledge Of the needs OF
their districts. are usually ins!stent on
taking care OF their districts in the
matter OF appropriations
When Senator Eugene Hale passes
from the senate on March 4 next, so
VIII pass also a custom which ne es.
fahlehed and which he alone followed.
Senator Hale is fond OF company, of
good clothes. OF good things to eat and
drink. but all OF these things must be
convenient and must in no circum.
stances entail unnecessary exertion on
his part.
TO find good company and good
things to eat and drink In WASHINGTON.
the senator has only to summon his
coachman and drive to a score Of FASH
ionable residences where he would be
welcome. But the senator likes his So
cial life to begin early in the day. To
wait until the conventional hour OF 8
In the evening when he can Join his
friends at dinner does not suit his con.
venience. His duties at the senate
make 1t impossible FOR him to attend
the countless afternoon teas, and vet
the senator must have society, have It
early In the day. and still not interfere
with his legislative duties.
It was because Of this determination
to participate in social functions at his
own convenience at an unconventional
hour that caused Senator Hale to hit
upon the scheme Of breakfasting at the
capitol. That scheme Is now known
as "Breakfast a Ia Hale" It consists
OF taking possession OF a commodious
committee room. ordering the head
waiter OF the senate restaurant to pre-
pare sumptuous breakfast, and bid.
ding few friends to Join you around
Uncle Sans mahogany.
senator Hale has made big hit with
his senatorial breakfasts but curiously
enough no one has followed his ex.
ample. altho his breakfasts are a. non.
ular as the corned beef hash break.
fasts to which the late Mark Hanna in
vited his friends.
Unless all signs fap Champ Clark,
term as speaker Of the house of rep
resentatives will bring forth the finest
lot of episrams which have gone
across the speakers desk in many a
moon.
AZ the presiding officer Of the house
the Missourian will be compelled to
cross swords with some mighty clever
statemen who will attempt to tie him
into a parliamentary knot. When
Champ IL hard pressed In the heat Of
debate he 10 almost certain to deliver
himself Of language which altho al
ways expressive and to the point is not
considered elegant
Serene e. Payne. Of New York, one
OF the men who will be in . bother
some minority next year. never fails
to drag an epigram out Of Clark.
During the consideration OF the tar
81 commission bill Mt Payne poked
fun At clarlcs inability to deliver q
solid democratic vote.
"a litflA morn o. thar kinA ~ sah