New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-27
WARM FIGHT IN HOUSE
Seven Seek Craftsmanship Of
Committee on Labor.
NOT ONE HAS SENIORITY
Defeat of Representative Viii.
son, of Pennsylvania, Creates
Unusual Situation.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Dec. 26.-Seven ambition,
Democrats, each unable TO claim seniority
of service, are now theoretically pulling
the wires to land the craftsmanship Of the
House Committee on Labor in the cad
Congress. When the steering committee
of the next House, the Ways and Means
Committee, tackles the Job OF naming a
successor to Representative William q
Wilson, of Pennsylvania, II will run
across the stiffest craftsmanship fight in
the House.
Chairman Wilson OF the Labor Commit
tee was defeated in the recent elections
and. as a lame duck is now being urged
as a possible Secretary Of Labor IN the
event that the Sulzer bin 10 create a new
Cabinet officer passes the Senate. The
retirement OF Mr.. Wilson from the Com
mittee on Labor leaves the field open for
race among seven Democrats, all OF
whom entered Congress at the beginning
Of the sgd Congress. The contestants
each with his own following and individual
reasons why the Craftsmanship should
come 70 him, are Representatives Hensley.
Of Missouri; Maher. OF New York; Rouse,
Of Kentucky; Lewis Of Maryland: How
ard, Of Georgia Buchanan, OF Illinois,
and Gray, OF Indiana.
All were assigned TO the Committee on
Labor when the Democrats assumed con.
troll Of the House, at the beginning OF the
sgd Congress. At that time there vera
no prospects Of the early defeat Of Chair
man Wilson and none OF the recruits
paid particular attention TO the unusual
situation which resulted when seven new
members were assigned to one committee
The Craftsmanship OF the Committee on
Labor carries with il the honor Of getting
ones name on labor bills and the position
also carries certain perquisites, such as
the naming Of a messenger or so, the sp-
pointment OF en- additional clerk and the
occupancy Of commod!ous Offices in the
Capitol Building proper.
Consequently the fight for the chair
manship was begun az soon as the defeat
OF Representative Wilson was announced,
and II is growing especially bitter as the
time approaches for Informal conferences
among Democratic members OF the steer
ing committee. Members Of the commit
Tee dS well % VI NiS iiDN0S e'4AN' ohs
are besieged By the candidates and their
friends Although the fight is free-for-
all. Representatives Buchanan, Howard
and Hensley are engaged probably IN the
most spirited rivalry.
| Mr.. Hensley is a Champ Clark partisan
and probably will count on the support OF
the Speaker Mr.. Howard was an avowed
Underwood man in the pre-conyentlon
campaign and assisted in carrying Geor-
gia in the primaries for the Alaoaman.
| lie has also been Endorsed by labor unions
throughout his state and the indorse-
ments have been forwarded TO the Ways
and Means Committee. Mr.. Buchanan is
| a former official OF the Bridge and Struct-
| ural Iron Workers Union, and his friends
claim this entities him 20 recognition. On
| the other hand, opponents of Mr.. Buch-
anan probably will point TO the fact
that this organization is more or less IN
disrepute owing to the alleged dynamitlns
conspiracy regardless OF the fact that
Mr.. Buchanan had no connection with II.
Senators who are talking of abolishins
the seniority rule in the upper body VIII
watch with interest the House scrap and
il the labor committee contest Is indica-
tive of what may be expected when
seniority is not considered the psncins
row may check the Senate plans.