The Washington herald., 1911-12-02

ed last summer, these leaders are more
than anxious to put a quietus on the i'm
pending revolt
LittIetOn the Match.
Martin Littleton, of New York. the
dissatisfied member of the Stanley steel
investigating committee, is the spark
which, It is feared. will set or the powder
mine Of open revolt. Consequently, a
number of Democratic leaders have labor
ed patiently with the irate New York
member in an effort to shake him from
his resolution to start the warmest kind
OF a row with his committee on the floor
of the House.
In an attempt to settle the Stanley
Littleton controversy in the steel investi-
eating committee, Representative Under
wood, the floor leader OF the Democrats,
held long conference yesterday after
noon with Representative Littleton. Mr.
Underwood tried to persuade Iittleton
In the interests Of party harmony not to
take his grievances to the floor of the
House. Representative Jack BeaII and
Representative Henry, chairman of the
Rules Committee, also conferred with Mr.
Littleton. 1t is not thought that any Of
the peacemakers have been successful,
so far, and it Is likely that on Monday
or Tuesday Littleton will attempt to
stop the investigation of the steel trust
on the ground that the committee ought
not to proceed after the government has
filed suit.
Mr.. Underwood is also attempting TO
persuade Littleton not to demand a spe-
cial investigation of a newspaper attack
made upon Littleton which the Stanley
committee refused to investigate upon
Littleton's demand.
The various investigating committees
assure trouble enough when they begin
reporting this session, without Mr.. Little
toms diversion, is the belief OF the har-
mony surgeons.
But whether LittIeton sets of the mine
or not, it is predicted from the Republi-
can camps that the line of demarcation
between the conservative and progressive
wings OF the House majority will be
plainly defined early in the session.
All indications are that there will be a
ten-day row over the activities OF the
various investigating committees. This
row will be precipitated by the committee
on accounts. which, according to report,
is much incensed at the amount of money
these investigating ommittees have spent
without tangible results. Representing
the dimly defined conservative wing of
the House majority, the Democratic
members of this committee, backed by a
large number of other representatives of
the same Democratic complexion, view
with apprehension the big hole these
committees are making in the Democratic
economy programme.
Economy and Conservatism.
Allied with the economy guards will be
members OF the Democratic majority who
have manifested the same leaning away
from radicalism as brought the LIttleton-
Stanley row to a head. In this section
will be seen, IT is said, many Democratic
members whose districts possess big BUSH
ness and inductrial interests. Given a def
mite rallying ground with a Democratic
name, the members will quickly fall
into the conservative camp, 1t 10 said.
Whether Speaker Clark and Manority
Leader Underwood Will be able to hit
upon some plan by which the threaten
ed split may be avoided remains, of
course, to be seen. Just at present Mr.. |
Underwood Is trying to bring Martin |
Littleton into a more harmonious state
of mind. II the New York member can |
be turned aside from his purpose to at |
tack the steel committee and halt the |
progress of its investigation, Mr.. Under |
wood will, it is said. Approach the threat |
ened crisis more hopefully.
With the threatened rupture out of
the way. the steam roller of the House !
might be effectively en-
ployed, conferences beforehand deter |
mining what committees have earned |
the right to pursue their investigations |
and what committees, through their |
failure TO bring any startling and signifi- |
can't facts to light. should cease their |
labors. With these differences settled |
'out of COURT the chances for an open
division In the party would be remote, |
In the opinion of Democratic leaders.