Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-01

to the government
S# estimated at <S2,-
SMayya 900 year.
kA.. - - This policy was
Cnairman burieson. decided upon at a
caucus today Of democratic repre-
sentatives-elect to the Sixty-second Con-
gress, who will control the lower house
for the next two years at least. The
House chamber, where the caucus was
held. was a scene Of activity early In the
day, scores Of new members arriving
more than an hour ahead Of time to min
gle with the veterans in the lobbies and
cloakrooms.
Contests for Places.
The caucus was called to order at 10
O'Clock by Henry d. Clayton of Alabama,
the temporary chairman. Before the
Gavel fell there was considerable informal
discussion concerning the order Of busi-
ness, but it was the prevailing opinion
that one of the first actions would be the
election Of officers of the House, SER
geant-at-arms, clerk, postmaster. door
test is over the post of sergeant-at-arms,
the candidates being U. s. Jackson Of
Indiana and w. H. Ryan of New York
The first action was the election Of
Representative Albert S. Burleson of
Texas as permanent chairman Of the eau
Gus. He has been candidate for chair
manShip of the committee on appropria-
hons. which the ways and means COM
J. j. Fitzgerald of New York
To Restore Good Feeling.
This action, it is believed, will restore
good feeling. which was upset by the
contest for the appropriations committee.
The question of patronage was then taken
up. and discussion followed on a plan
to abolish many positions, it having
been estimated that about SIS, 600 an
nually can be saved in this manner
The ways and means committee PLAN
ned to submit to the caucus its report
on the Organization of House committees.
A list of the committees and their chair.
men has been completed, and contests are
brewing over few Of the selections
The new committee on rules worked un-
til late last night completing its report
a.
ttrely new code of rules to govern the
next House has been written.
House Rules Rewritten.
Representative Henry of Texas, chair
man Of the committee. stated before the
caucus that the committee had used as
basis for the new code the rules OF
the House in the Fifty-third Congress,
the last controlled by the democrats
The organization of the caucus was
completed by choosing Representative
w. A Ashbrook OF Ohio as secretary.
In a short speech to his associates
Chairman Underwood Of the ways and
means committee announced the plan
10 cut down the big roll Of House en-
pIoyes and to give most of the patron
age TO those democrats who had not
been given committee chairmanships
The details of the plan to save $1sa 900
In the expenses Of running the House
were presented In report by Repre-
sentative Palmer of Pennsylvania, a
member OF the ways and means COM
!nittee to whom the work had been
tntrusted.
Others to Be Consolidated.
The scheme not only contemplated the
aboiishment OF many positions, but the
consolidation of others. The plan in
eludes the handling of appointments by
the committee OH accounts, of which
Representative Lloyd of Missouri is ex-
pected to be chairman
After prolonged discussion the caucus
adopted the economy program, which in
detail includes the abolishment of six OF
the standing cOmmittees-militia private
land claims. Pacific railroads, levees and
improvements of the Mississippi river
ventilation and acoustics, and manufac.
lures The pruning policy will cut ou,
nearly one-third of the House EMPLOYEES
AT O'Clock recess was taken. The
report of the rules committee probably
will be considered this afternoon
Hobson Makes Losing Fight.
Representative Hobson Of Alabama
made fight TO preserve the existence OF
the committee on the militia. declarin,
that, In view of the increasing importance
OF the citizen soldiery OF the United
States. this body, charged with the single
duty or looking out for their needs, was
necessary. But after Mr. Palmer, chair
man Of the subcommittee Of the ways ant
means committee which investigated tn.
patronage problem, had explained tha,
there had been no intention on the par
OF those who proposed to abolish til,
militia committee to prevent legislation
on this subject. but that, on the con
trary, the military affairs committe.
would safeguard the interests OF the citi
zen soldiery of the country. Mr. HobsoI
was voted down and the six committee
In question were wiped off the slate.
Some surprise was expressed at tn
drastic action of the caucus in making
cut of 1882 Oo0-or nearly one-third-in tn
sum annually dispensed for patronaS