The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-04-20
DISAPPOINTED
OVER ELECTIONS
Protest That Two Committee AS
signments of Seven Does Not Do
Progressives Justice-Are
Kicking on Senator
Martin Action.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Special
Martin. OF Virginia; Culberson, of
Texas; Simmons. OF North Carolina;
Clarke. Of Arkansas; Bankhead, Of
Alabama; Fletcher. OF Florida: VIII
liams. OF Mississippi: Kern. of Indiana
and Hitchcock. OF Nebraska.
The foregoing constitute the Demo
cratic steering committee OF the SEN
ate. as named last evening by Senator
Martin. minority leader. The vote by
which Martin was chosen leader was
II. as against 10 cast for Shively, OF
Indiana.
Democrats made no secret last evening
over their disappointment at receiv-
ing places on the steering committee
In the proportion OF but , TO Z. The
representatives OF the prOgressiVeS are
Kern and Hitchcock.
The conclusions OF the steering COM
mittee are TO be submitted to a caucus
Tor approval The committee will be
gin its task this afternoon. Some of
the more aggressive OF the prOgresSiVes
yesterday said with considerable posi-
tiveness that unless other committee
assignments gave more evidence of
consideration for their interests than
the selection of the steering commit
tee. there would be a row Of no mean
proportions i'm the coming caucus.
The pfOSrcssives fear what they
characterize as an effort to pack
some of the more important commit
clare they will expose the situation on
the floor of the Senate and let the
Democrats OF the country understand
what the conditions in the party in
the United States Senate are. II re-
mains to be seen. however. il there is
any justification for these fears On the
part OF the prOgressives.
Democrats Request Needed.
Acting for the minority. Senat n
Martin has been insisting that the
Democratic representation on the big
committees be increased. The Demo-
Gratis made a gain of nine votes in the
Senate. and by reason Of THIS increase
their demand would seem to be lust.
The Republicans were placed in an
awkward position, as they are con-
fronted with the demands of their
own progressives for recognition on
the committees that control the large
affairs OF the Senate.
After a conference between Mr. CAL
Finger, chairman OF the Republican
Committee on Committees. and other
leading Republicans the request OF the
Democrats was complied with. To
counter balance that increase, however.
the Republicans decided TO add another
member TO their own side Of the
column, and thereby make room for
progressive Republicans The pre-
ponderance OF ORGANIZATION Republi-
Acans in the committees. as at present
<'Qnstituted. makes them rather one
sided. and there is plenty Of room for
more Democratic members.
OF the big committees. the following
consist or eight Republicans and fVe
Democrats-privilege and elections,
appropriations. and interstate COM
merce. The committees on finance
foreign relations. military affairs and
postofiices and post roads. stand nine
TO i've The judiciary and public build
tnEs and grounds consist OF nine Re-
publicans and six Democrats; COM
merce, eleven TO six, and naval affairs.
seven to four.
Tribute 10 williams.
The Democrats have agreed among
themselves, without even holding any
conference upon the subject. that John
Sharp Williams shall go on finance.
Senator Williams was long a member
OF ways and means in the House. and
was minority leader OF that body. His
designation TO the Finance Committee
has been taken as matter OF course.
as n tribute to his ability and his po-
sition IN the lower house or Congress.
1T seems also 10 be conceded that Sena-
tor OGorman. OF New York. shall have
n place on this committee. Senator
OGorman is new Senator. but the po-
sition of New York State as the great
est in the Union, and the standing OF
Mr. O'Gorman in his party before he
entered the Senate. combine TO make IL
necessary that the ella inns OF New York
shall be recognized.