Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-04
DEMOCRATS PLAN
To SAVE S120680;
NAME COMMITTEES
0ne-Fourth of the Patronage
Jobs Have Been Abolished
and Six Committees Dis
EenSed With

WASHINGTON. April LIN harhivhS
and with vigor. the Democrats OF the
house in the Sixty-second congress today
went at their caucus work Of organiza-
lion. committee assignments and eeonom-
les through reductions of useless en-
ploycs ana abandonment OF non-workins
committees.
A legislative program was ADOPTED
which Is expected to oonfine the activi-
ties Of the coming extra session OF con-
Sress to popular election of senator's,
Canadian reciprocity. tarIn revision, in
vestigation OF governmental departments
congressional re-apportionment. statehood
for Arizona and New Mexico. general de
ficiency appropriations. District Of CO.
iulnbia legislation and publicity of cam
psign contributions.
The first act or the caucus was 10 is
sue directions looking to the adjustment
II about one-fourth of the patronage
Jobs Of the house. saving thereby Sl2o.-
80: discontinuaRce of six committees al
n saving Of Sla.mo. and abandonment Of
the Republican practice Of allowing EN-
pIoyss a months extra pay. saving Se.-
90 This IS a total saving Of $lS-.eo III
last wears total expenditures for house
employees Of about S7S0.oQ9-
Following this the caucus adopted res
olutions looking to the simpliheatlon\ OF
the house rules so that much confusion
and conflict caused By the use Of the
multitude of precedents might be done
away with.
The selection OF house officers TO COM
plete the house organization and ratit-
cation OF she committee assignments as
prepared BY the house committee on conf
nittees came later.
TO DECIDE on WORK
Chairman Underwood, OF the commit
tee on ways and means. presented reso-
luton To have the caucus decide on the
extent OF legislation and its scope TO ne
permitted at the extra session
4 committee on organization was au-
tiierfzed with power 10 parcel out all APP
p0intive positions. Under the house Or
sanitation. chairmen of committees viii
name committee employees, such as
clerks. messengers and jsnitors, but Will
get no other patronage. other jobs will
he distributed among members equally
thereby giving TO each member not a
committee chairman about $500 worth OF
patronage. Necessarily this patronage
VII 80 10 the various states in proper
ton TO their Democratic representation.
The six committees abolished are Pa
esffc railroads. employees OF the -Alissis-
ippl river. private land claims. manufsc-
lures and ventilation and acoustics
The predictions OF Champ Clark. char
man Underwood and other leaders that
the caucus would be harmonious were
borne out. Not a dlseordant note was
sounded at the meeting of about 30 OF The
~ members-elect. Not roll call was
required on a single proposition advanced
hy the men who had been charged with
preparing plans for organization and leg
islation- Many speeches were made.
There was continuous general debate in
which the new members participated with
freedom, but no clashes occurred and no
bitterness was manifested.
BURLEsON CHAIRMAN.
Representative, Burles0n. OF Texas. sue
ceeded Judge Clayton. OF Alabama. as
permanent chairman OF the caucus. tho
honor going to him because OF his grace
fully accepting defeat for chairman Of
the committee on appropriations. Ash
brook. Of Ohio. is secretary Of the eau
Gus.
y NJ Palmer. OF the committee on
ways and means. chairman Of a sub
committee on position pruning, presented
the economy report abolishing useless
jobs and committees The committee on
accounts was directed 10 introduce legis-
IN jobs and the committee on rules will
look after the looping of OF the six COM
mittees. Champ Clark. as speaker, Il
authorized TO iii the regular positions
under this particular, and TO name also
the journal clerk. now under the house
and tie messenger at the speakers desk,
now under the doorkeeper.
Patronage is taken away from the ser
EesHt at arms. dOorkeeper. postmaster
and clerk OF the house. who are prevent
ed from appropriating any OF their sub
ordfnstes except on the recommendation
Of organizations These recommendations
as previously stated. are TO be based on
an equal division OF patronage among
the members
THREE OFFICES ABOLISHED.
Under the speaker three offices arc
abolished. but the offices already exist
ing are transferred 10 him 10 fill. Tn
der the clerk OF the house Is positions
are abolished. at a net saving of So
s70.
Under the sergeant at arms a cut OF A.
= made In the special capital police force.
The senate viii have TO concur In this
reduction. which includes one captain.
Two Iieutenants. "a policemen and five
privates. saving Sf7.O0o The doorkeeper
viii lose = positions. saving SSl.3Io.