The Washington times., 1911-02-10
HOUSE MEMBERSHIP
INCREASED TO 433
Crumpacker Bill Passed BY
Solid Democratic Vote
With Republican Aid.

A House Of 433 members, an increase
of forty-two over the present member
ship, is provided for in the Crumpacker
bill, which has passed the lower body
by a substantial majority.
The enlarged House, declared to be
too bulky and unwieldy by those who
opposed the bill. is the result of a prac-
ticaIly solid Democratic vote, aided by
q sufficient number of Republicans who
bolted the caucus action declaring for
only 391 members.
Under the plan adopted no State loses
a member. Had the Campbell substi-
tute been approved instead of the
Crumpacker bill, thirteen States would
have lost. members under the plan to
hold the House down to 391. The Camp
bell substitute, however, lost by vote
of III to 131, this really being the de-
cisive vote on the reapportionment legis-
lation.
Debated Six Hours.
The House debated reapportionment
for six hours yesterday afternoon, the
greatest confusion at times resulting
because certain members wished to air
their views while others were loud in
their demands of vote and regular
order" A Democratic poll earlier in
the day had developed that the minor
ity would poll sufficient votes to defeat
the plan to hold the Membership to the
present igure, which would have de-
creased the representation of only
Democratic and insurgent States.
The Republicans, however, gained q
victory when the House reached the
provision in the Crumpacker bill re-
lating to the redistricting of the States
The Census Committee had reported an
amendment providing that such redis-
tricting should be done by the Legisla-
tYtrn of hn fafa N -
the Whole the amendment was adopted
by vote of 1j9 to 49,
When the bill came to final passage
in the House Representa- tive Bartholdt
and Representative Elvins of Missouri
declared this plan to be Democratic
hoax, and demanded a seperate roll call
vote.
They are trying to bunco US, fellow
Republicans" said Mr.. Elvins. IF this
plan prevails Democratic legislature in
Republican governor will have no
voice.
Same Way in Kentucky.
1t was also pointed out that some
what the same condition prevails in
Kentucky.
BY the close vote Of 16I to 15S the
House robbed the State legislatures Of
the exclusive right to redistrict the re-
spective States, and the method of re-
districting is now left the people Of the
States themselves.
Under the Crumpacker bill, which pro-
vides that after March 4, 1913, the men,
oeTship of the House shall be s33, based
on a ratio of one Representative to each
2ll,SI7 population, the gains will be one
additional member each for Alabama,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Lou
isiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana,
North TOaknta 0hin Oregon PhnAA
Island, South Dakota, Utah, and
West Virginia; two members addition
al for Illinois, Massachusetts,, New
Jersey. Texas, and Washington, and
three each for California and Okla
homa- Pennsylvania will gain four,
New York six Total, 42. 1t is also pro-
vided that If Arizona and New Mexico
are admitted to the Union they shall
have one member each in addition to
the 433.
Bennett Seeks Amendment.
Representative Bennett attempted to
secure the adoption of an amendment
cutting down the representation of those
Southern States which have disfran-
chised colored votes. The amendment
was lost by vote of 154 to sc, the Dem
ocrats and many Republicans voting
against ii.
Mr.. Elvins next endeavored to secure
appi Wv al lOl q SUBSTITUTE Dlll lIAlll5 lliS
House membership at 402. which he said
would be compromise between the 391
and the 433 plan. He was defeated 201
| to -.
When the Crumpacker bill was put
| upon final passage, Mr.. Campbell. in
view OF the action Of the Republican
caucus which opposed an increase OF
membership, moved to recommit the
| Crumpacker bill and to instruct that the
| figures be changed to 391 instead of 433.
! Mr.. Campbell's motion was lost, III to
| 13I. the. following Republicans voting
| with the Democrats for a larger House:
| Allen, Burleigh, Guernsey, and Swasey
| of Maine; Langley and Bennett of Ken
! lucky, Austin of Texas, Burke of South
| Dakota, Cowles of North Carolina,
| Crumpacker of Indiana, Fordney OF
Michigan. Hamer of Idaho, Greene of
Massachusetts,. Hannad of North Da-
kota, Kendall of Iowa Langham OF
Pennsylvania, Lindbergh OF Minnesota.
MCGUIRE of Oklahoma, and Slemp of
| Virginia