Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-12-17
SENATOR OWEN TO
HAVE A BIC SAY
Will DECIDE ACTION TO BE
TAKEN on PRESIDENTS
APPOINTMENTS.
PROCRESSIVES TO CONTROL
Insurgcnt Democrats Dctcrmi ned Il
Dust Their Rcactlonary Colleagues
ON Committees.

Senator Robert l.. owen Is one OF
the democratic committee appointed
early this week as at caucus in Wash
ington to decide what to do with the
appointments sent by President Taft
to the senate for confirmation, Pro-
Ercssivc democrats In the senate to
the number Of twenty seven have
signed an agreement to reorga0iao
that body through preferential vote
after March 4. This is to include the
reorganization of the committees and
the question Of party leadership, Tho
number who have signed the agree
ment constitute a majority of the
democratic membership, insurinS tho
absolute domination Of the progress
ives in the new democratic senate,
If Prosidont-elect Wilson gives APP
proval to the proposed policy It vas
said seven other democrats will be-
come parties to the agreement
The movement has gone far enough
TO indicate the approaching overthrow
Of the conservative democrats in pre-
cisely the same fashion that Aldfich,
Hale, Lodge, Gallinger Penrose ard
SmOOt, We're put out Of business and
eventually the republican party re-
tired from power in all branches "
the government.
Bailey, of Texas, Is the arch Iemo-
cratic reactionary but he retires 30
private life at the end Of this term.
Ills principal followers who will re-
main in the senate and the positions
they hold as ranking members Of tho
minority, but which the progresslves
have determined shall be moro
equitably distributed are as follows
They viii BE Oustcd.
Tlllman, or South Carolina, entitled
to the Craftsmanship of either Aaval
affairs, interstate commerce or apprr.
priations.
Martin, Of Virginia, now tltular
minority leader. entitled to the char
mnnship of commerce, District Of Co.
lumbia, or appropriations, If Tillnan
selects the naval committee.
Simmons Of North Carolina. tn
titled TO the craftsmanship Of finance.
nter-oceanic canals or commerce, de-
pendent upon Martins choice.
Bacon, of Georgia, entitled to for
eign relations, judiciary and the all
powerful committee on rules.
Bankhead of Alabama. entitled 10
the Craftsmanship Of agriculture. edu-
cation ana labor and postoffices and
postroads.
Senator owen OF Oklahoma is en-
gineering the movement to compel a
| division of places of honor and of re-
sponslblllty A number of conferences
have been held, at which the corclu-
sin was reached that as the party was
to be held accountable for the leSjs-
lation of the next congress, proper
consideration should be given m tho
senate TO geographical location Of SEN
ators and in such way as to mako
the senate most efficient and most re-
| sponsive to the wishes Of the people.
Confcrees Have Much Power.
The small coterie of senators who
stand at the top of the important
committees, by virtue of that position
always are made conferees on all big
| legislative questions in dispute. Con-
ferees have more power in this fiual
stage Of legislation than either tho
whole senate or house combined. Tho
progresslves do not intend that this
power longer shall be welded by thus
small group of senator's, who h0No
not shown themselves to be in syu-
pathy with the policies of their party
as voiced in the Baltimore platform.
At conference Of democrats this
morning the question of what 20 do
with the Taft appointments was re-
ferred to a committee consisting ot
Senators Martin, Clarke Of Arkansas.
lIoke Smith, owen and Stone.