Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-12-19
Movement Designed 10 H.
sure Legislation Favorable
10 Mr.. Wilson
Offices on Important Com.
mIttees VIII Be Distributed
Equally
Leaders Believe They VIII
Be Able 10 Garry PrOpOsI-
ton Through

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19-The fight
within the Democratic party for con-
troll of the senate until the next ad-
ministration, has taken definite form
within the last few days as the re-
suit of concerted action by a small
body of Democrats toward laying the
basis for what they term progressive
control" in the next congress.
A series of conferences, eliminating
in a dinner Sunday, at which nearly a
dozen Democrats were present, have
resulted in general understanding for
q reorganization movement designed
to insure the control of legislation and
policies after March 4 by senators in
full sympathy with the views OF
President.elect Wilson. No detailed
program has been outlined, but the
campaign is understood to involve the
entire subject of senate control, the
direction of affairs by senators, alp
proved by TIE president reorganizers,
anu luc CSldUliSulucuI VI a .IC" oyotSA'
OF committee assignments that will
distribute important committee places
alike to men new and old in the SER
vice of the senate.
Those Who Have Conferred.
Those who have participated in
the conference thus far are Senator
Lea of Tennessee; Saith of Georgia;
Smith of South Carolina; Meyers OF
Montana; Newlands of Nevada, AS
hurst Of Arizona; Gore and Owen OF
Oklahoma; Stone of Missouri; O'Gor-
man of New York; MARITIME of New
Jersey and Representative Norris
Sheppard Of Texas, prospective sue
cessor to Senator Baily.
ssms oppess Aadieai Features.
1t Is understood that all of the SEN
ators named do not agree to the
more radical features Of the in.
surgent program" although they
have Endorsed the general purpose OF
demanding recognition for all mem
bers of the party in the recognition
for all members of the party in the
reorganization and for the estab-
lishment e what they term progress
hive legislative policies.
1t is understood that Senator Stone
and O'Gorman. who have participated
in the latter conferences, have urged
some moderation of the general plan
outlined at the earlier gatherings.
The senate fight is expected to
reach President-elect Wilson almost
as soon as he takes up questions OF
legislation for his approaching ad'
ministrations.
The leaders in the Democratic lin
surgent" movement assert that at
least ~ of the 40 Democratic senators
in the next congress will support their
view Of the progressive program"
They estimate that at least II of the
S6 "hold-over" senators will align
themselves with the reorganization ell
ement, and that a majority of the in
coming Democrats will join them.
viii Fight For Committee Places.
The fight for places on the import.
ant senate committees is an integral
part of the new movement. The in
surgent Democratic forces probably
will demand a fair distribution Of
places among new and old members
on the five leading committees-ap-
preparations, finance, foreign relations
judiciary and interstate commerce
and a similar distribution on the five
next important committees-Com-
merce, military affairs, naval affairs.
postofices and agriculture.
Would Change Seniority System.
Such an Arrangement would radi-
caly change the seniority system long
recognized, under which the older
senators had the choice of places. and
often held commanding positions on
several of the leading committees.
Senators identified with the new
movement, refused to outline yester-
day the extent to which the reorgani-
cation nigh affect democrats of long
service like Senators Tillman, Sim
mons, Overman, Martin, Bacon, Cul.
berson and Johnston.
Senator Owen, however, stated that
III the case of a member of the SEN
ate who has the choice at present Of
q number Of important places. 1--WE
would give a senator thus situated
one good place and then distribute
the other desirable appointments"
Will Distribute Places Equally.
"In my judgment it will be the dis
nosition Of the senate next March
to appoint equitably the powers and
dignities OF the senate continued
Senator Owen, mot ignoring the ex-
r~erience of seniority but utilizing to
the fullest extent the ability and ex-
perience OF new members and making
the Democrats heartily in accord With
the progressive spirit Of the people
o. the United States, SO organizing the
senate that the. country shall fully re-
alize the sincerity Of purpose.
ut is important that this should be
done while at the same time a spirit
Of harmony is preserved. It is hoped
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