The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-07
SELECTED FOR
THEIR ABILITY
Upon Flood, Hay, Jones and
Lamb Rests the Responsibility
for Much of the Work of
Congress-Each an Au-
thority in His De-
partment.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.


1t that virginia. with only ten men In
the lower house of Congress. and only
nine Of them Democrats. was able to
secure four chalrmanships of commit
tees In the Sixty-second Congress? ?"
THIS Is the question that has been
asked here many times since the extra
session began on April 4, and there is
only one answer that can safely be
made without fear of contradiction
because they were the best men for
the places. That is why four Virgin
ians-Congrcssmen w. A. Jones Jamos
Hay. John Lamb and II. D. Flood-are
now the heads of the House Committees
on lDsDiar Affairs. Military Affairs, Ag-
ricuiture and Territories, respectively.
Passing rapidly over the few stormy
days Just succeeding the meeting or
the SiXty-second Congress, when there
was a scramble for committee places
and when it was not unusual for me M
hers of delegations TO elbow their col
lea cues out of place II they could Sc
cure better ones for themselves, II may
be said that not in the memory of the
oldest men around the Capitol havo
the Democrats. under their new organ
ization, and with their new chairmen,
gotten down SO soon to good running
order.
Grcnt Fight Made.
II was a great hight that was made
10 secure the twelve or fifteen chair
nlanships- in the House, as those who
were present before the extra session
began we'll know. Hard put to IL was
the Democratic steering committee
In this case the Ways and Means Com.
mittcc--to pick men for all the best
places and to see that while the really
big men were Recognized. that those
of less power did not feel that they had
been neglected. Days and weeks were
consumed in the selection of the men
whose names would head the commit
tees. and not few slcepless nights
were spent both By the Ways and
Menna Committee in making its selcc-
lions and by those Who were lighting
for recognition as committee chairmen.
<At+last tho time came when each mem
her should know just what he had
drawn. and what the Nirginians got
has already been told.
So much for what has been done.
What will the future show? What arc
the Virginia chairmen going TO do TO
show that their selection was wise
and that they have done enough IL JUS
tify going to the heads OF some of the
biggest committees I'm Congress-?
Asked to-day for a statement of what
they were doing. those members of tho
delegation who were seen outlined
what, In their minds. would be their
come.
Important Work for Flood.
!, The Committee on the Territories
has been one of the most important
committees of the House at this ses-
sion. The program outlined by the
Democratic caucus provided for the
con ideration OF bills from the Com
mtttee on Election OF President and
Vice President. Ways and Means Com
mittec and the Committee on the Ter
ritorIes.
The Committee on the Territories has
been considering for the last three
weeks the resolution introduced BY Mr..
Flood TO admit New Mexico and ART
iona into the sisterhood of States.
sharp division has developed In the
committee and In Congress upon these
two Constitutions. The New Mexico
Constitution is considered reaction
airy" and the Arizona Constitution
liberal" 1t is contended that the
New Mexico Constitution is not repub-
lican in form, because Its article OH
amendments. taken In connection with
the provision for superintendent of
State Senators made In the Constttu-
ton. renders it possible for four OF
the twenty-siN counties to prevent On
amendment TO the Constitution. TIE
Arizona Constitution Is considered too
progressive. and especially SO on &C
count or the 'initiativc, referendum and
recall" provided for in the Constitution.
The President has taken decided
position against the recall of Judges.
The Democrats on the committee. led
by Mr. Flood. have determined that the
New Mexico Constitution must be made
more easy of amendment. Both of
these States will be admitted in the
same resolution.
THO resolution which will be re-
ported from the Committee on the
Territories and will probably pass the
House, Will provide for moro liberal
article on amendments for New Mex
leo and will submit to vote of the
people Of Arizona the proposition
whether the recall shall apply TO the
judges
with these changes In the consti-
tutions 1t is probable tho resolution
admitting these two States will pass
the House in tho near future.
After the statehood measure has
cen disposed OF the Committee OH the
Territories will take up the considcra-
ton Of territorial form OF govern
ment for Alaska. Alaska now has a
population of $4,000 people who de-
mand that they he given local Legia-
lature for the protection of their, IN
forests. President Taft favore some
kind OF an Assembly. but desires that
1t be appointed By the President MIR.
Flood favors a. Legislative Assembly
elected by the people. This question
Is 1ikel yto hold the attention of the
committee for some time to come
MIR. Itay's Grcnt Work.
Tho work OF Representative Hay. as
chairman of the Military Affairs Conn
mittee. will for thO7new two years,
lie pretty much along lines that will
tend to tho upbuilding OF the military
forces Of the country, tho strengthens
"A. Continued on SaIantaauth Pana.l- =.