Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-23
INSURGENT FIGHT TO SENATE
Democrats May Be Called Upon to
Arbitrate Differences.
RESULT CANNOT BE PREDICTED
ProRressives Assert Democrats Would
support Them ms Inclined Toward
Reform-TroubIe over the
Finance Committee.

WASHINGTON. April 22.-Democrats
Of the senate may he called upon TO arbi-
trate the differences between the republi-
can rgulars and progrssives over the ques-
tion of comittee assignments.
This unprecedented situation was pre-
dicted tonight following the adjournment
of meeting Of the republican committee
on committees at which the demand of
the progresives for the right to dictate
one-fourth of the republican members on
ali committees was again denied
The progresslves did not ask for a
formal recognition, but this made no diff
ference in the vote of seven to four by
which their original demands were de-
feated
1t was said the progressives will APP
peal to the senate from the assignments
of the committee on committees and in
this way the democrats will he called to
settle the difficulty.
Neither OF the republican factions is
disposed to shirk the responsibility of the
situation. II the dispute gets into the
hands Of democratic senators It is pre-
dicted the result may be of far more i'm
portance The snarl would be such that
no one could forecast the legislative re-
suits Of the session.
Just what action the democrats woul,S
take as arhitrators is speculative several
are known to sympathize with the in
surgents, while many unquestionably would
vote to sustain party regularity At to,
days meeting. a resolution adopted yester-
day, which provided for the organfza ton
OF the committees in alphabetical order
was reconsidered and Senator Gallinger. as
chairman OF the committee, was instructed
to bring in a tentative list OF assignments.
But this action was not taken without op-
position from the progressives. who in
sisted upon their right to designate their
representatives on committee.
When they were voted down the prog
ressives retired from the COMMITTEES room
They do not relish the prospect OF having
Mr.. Gallinger name the progressive MEM
ber Of the committees and while they
make no declaration to this effect It ia
plainly the purpose to oppose the chair
mans action whenever II fails 70 meet
their requirements OF one-fourth of the
republican committee assignments
In such conflict as then would ensue
It Is expected the seven regular members
would stand together in supporting the
"Galiinger selection" The defeat OF
amendments offered by the pTogreesives
pected the progressives. refusing to accept
the situation, would take the case to the
senate. An intermediate step would be
consideration of the question by the re-
publican caucus but as the regulars out
number the progressives. three TO one,
the committee regulars would be sustained
The progressives contend that II the
democrats are Inclined toward reform, they
would be compelled to support their slate,
but the regular republicans believe the
conservative democrats would stand with
them.
Want Two Members on Finance.
The principal contention in the commit
tee on committees Is over the assignments
TO the committees on. appropriations.
finance, postOffices and postroad, judiciary
and foreign relations. The progressves
contend they were promised two members
OF tn efinance committee in advance of
the organization OF the GallinRer commit
tee and they are especially anxious to have
this pledge carried out
On the other hand, the regulars say to
| concede this request would be 70 give the
progressives and tn democrats control of
this important committee and this they
do want to do on the eve OF tariff revision
The progressives are anxious 10 influence
! the committee on appropriations as
means TO controlling the committee on ex-
penditures. They want larger representa-
uon on the postoffice committee as q
check on executive appointments and they
desire 10 aid in shaping the settlement Of
the Mexican embroglio through the com
mittee on foreign relations,
! They also hope to insure another favor
able report from the committee on the iu-
dietary on the resolution providing for the
election OF senators by direct vote and
are dssirous OF Influential representation on
] that committee