Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-04
Wide Difference in Figures for
House Reapportionment.
OPINIONS OF TWO MEMBERS
Campbell Of Kansas Wants Reduc.
ton; Crumpacker Would Increase.
LANGLEY BOOMS TAFT FOR 1912
President Greatly Interested in. Mer-
chant Marine Legislation-Panama
Canal Tolls Discussed.

Representative Crumpacker chairman
of the House committee on census, and
Representative Philip Campbell of Kan
sas are wide apart as to the basis upon
which the House of Representatives
should be reapportioned.
Mr.. Campbell thinks that 90 members
is sufficiently large, while Mr.. Crumpack-
err. although not committing himself to
any special number at this time, says
that a large membership is advisable
for many reasons, and especially that
the voice Of the people may be reflected
by small congressional districts, with
which the respective representatives
should be thoroughly familiar.
Both men were at the White House
today, not 20 discuss this subject with
President Taft but on other business.
What Mr.. Campbell had to say on re-
something to think of.
Campbell Believes in Reduction.
Il have not yet prepared BILL said
Mr.. Campbell, but my experience shows
that the membership of the House is
growing too large and should be reduced.
II seems that we have got to the point
where we have to increase the member
snip TO prevent some of the states losing
seats and possibly prestige in Congress-
! 90 not think the membership OF the
f1ouse should exceed 225, and it could be
made less. The trouble is that the House
Is no lonse: a deliberative. legislative
BODY, as contemplated when the country
was established. Everything is done in
work of the body. If the membership is
reduced there will be opportunity for real
craftsmanship.
Not only would reduce the member
snip OF the House. but l would enact a
law preventing representatives from ut.
Lending to departmental work, making
recommendations, etc. a man who de-
slreS TO prepare an important bill or a
speech gets little chance to do So He
must run to this department or that and
lose time that might be valuable to his
district and country attending to minor
and unimportant matters. OF course,
think that the minor wants of the people
or state should be attended to, but this
could be easily met by each state having
a representative here to answer CORE
spondence, look after positions. etc. leav-
ing Its senator's and representatives fr c
to look after legislation.
Places Number at 435.
Mr.. Crumpacker said that there are six
teen members of the census committee of
from states that would lose membership
in the House If apportionment should be
decreased. The lowest number at which
100, including the representation of the
new states OF Arizona and New Mexico.
Although Mr.. Crumpacker has not def
nitely committed himself. he is supposed
number.
IF you reduce the House membership
too far that body will become as
ornery, as the Senate" said the Indi-
representative body. and it should never
be anything else. 1 want to see the
congressional districts small enough SO
that each man is able to keep in close
been only once when the apportionment
was reduced. That was after the CEN
sus of 1910. Even then the House
voted for a larger number than before
of seventeen members. and the House
finally accepted that reduction.
mo. I don't think the Senate would
attempt to dictate to the House now
what it's membership should be.
The English parliament has over 500
members and there is plenty of room in
the hall of the American House for more
than that number of representatives when
the cumbersome desks are taken out The
House should not be made a workshop,
and since the new Office building was put
up there is less office work in the hall
than ever before.
Il have never found it difficult to look
after the requests of my constituents. I
have competent secretary, and he at
tends to all that for me. My correspond
ence from home also keeps ME in touch
with my people"
Representative Payne Of New York,
passed out Of the executive Offices as Mr..
Crumpacker was talking over reapportion-
ment. We'll, here is 1876 Crumpacker,"
said the New York heavyweight.
Langley for Taft's denomination.
Representative John W. Langley Of
Kentucky, who was at the White House
today on matters affecting his district,
and to talk with the President about the
pending pension bill. expressed himself
freely and frankly for the denomination
of President Taft. Mr.. Langley has al
ways been a close friend Of eX-President
Roosevelt
This is his compliment to President
Taft:
one except myself. but i know how it
ought to stand. 1 believe he deserves and
will receive the unanimous Endorsement
of Kentucky republicans for another
term. In the exercise Of the appointing
power he has not always pleased all of
us-no human being could do that in any
state-but upon the great, vital policies
Of our party his record is superb and un-
assailable. l do not think that we have
ever had a President who possessed in
a greater degree the tactfulness of party
leadership. combined with fearless nom
craftsmanship, when that quality is needed,
as it sometimes is, in the exercise of
the great functions Of his Office; and YOU
will see that history will so write him
down. ] was one OF the original Taft
republicans in Kentucky, and I have had
no reason to change my mind
President for Merchant Marine.
With Representative Martin OF South
Dakota the President talked about lesis-
lation that will build up the merchant
marine. The President has been talking
with a number of senators and represent
atives on this question. He is inclined tn
favor the Gallinger bill, which would
double the money paid to vessels CARRYING
mail from ports in this country to points
in South America south Of the equator |
1t really would be an amendment to the |
bill Of 1891, which fixes the price maid To |
mail-carrying vessels at 81 per ton.
Representative Mann, chairman Of tbe |
mi 60n xr-