The Sentinel=record., 1912-11-29
SENATE COMMITTEES A PRESSING PROBLEM
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS, tNcLup. ING DAVIS AND CLARKE,
 WILL CONTROL MANY.


 the important committees of the sen ate in the next congress when that body will be under democratic domin- ation has become question of press ing importance. The matter is con sidered so vital to the shaping of leg :. islation and democratic policies in the new congress that party leade. IS here are discussing it. with view of obtaining immediate action
 It is expected tha, some form of a democratic senate caucus or confer ence will be held next week to take preliminary steps toward oTganiza ton. The issue has practically taken the form of an ultimatum from the rewer democratic senators, in which number are included many of the most active members of that body, that they must have their share Of the important committee places. or they will operturn the established or 6er of seniority that has long been the bulwark of "old members control ill the senate.
 The senate committees not only ex- ercise a practical control over all leg islation of congress, put they will con trol no little patronage. The agita- ton in denlocratic ranks has arisen from the fact that a few democrats long in the senate. hold the ranking positions on practically all important committees If the rules of seniority are followed. each will be allowed to pick sBliairmanship of one of these committees and at the same time hold second position on orneTs.
 The important committees are those on finance. appropriations. interstate commerce, naval affairs. the judiciary doreign relations: military affairs rules, and agriculture. Several pro- positions for change have been ad- yanced The most generally accept ed would give each of the old sena- tors their choice of one Important com mitteeship, the commanding places on the committees to bc yielded then to the newer members.
 sSenater Bacon, Tillman and Martin lwho entered the senate in 1895, hea lthe democratic membership of many committees Senator Tillman is the faniSing democratic, member of the
 
 system would be entitled in the new congress to take me chairmanship O. one and hold the second position on all the others Under the propos cd plan he would be entitled so select a chairmanship. but then would have to give second place on the other com mIttees to members got now holding important positions Among the committees over whioh Senator Tillman would exercise con trol are appropriations, interstate commerce and naval affairs. Senate. Bacon commands the first place on five committees among them foreign relations. judiciary and rules. three of the best committees of the list. In addition to being chairman of the democratic caucus. Senator Martin could be chairman of either of four committees including commerce.
 Senator Culberson, who came ill four years later than either of these three, is the ranking democrat on four committees and in addition, on March 4, will hold second place on appropria- tions and judiciary. giving him his choice of the championship of eother of those two if Senator Bacon should vacate his position on Judiciary for the chairmanship of foreign realtions, if Senator Tllman should forego his opportunity to become chairman of appropriations.
 Senator Simmons. who entered the senate as late as 1901, would have his choice of the chairmanship of as many as six committees including finance. Other members wlho will have a wide range ofs choice are Senators Bankhead and5 Johnston of Alabama, Clarke and Davis of Arkansas. New : lands of Nevada, Overman of North Carolina. Smith of Maryland and Stone of Missouri