The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-30
PROBLEM IN
COMMITTEES
Control of Important Places
in the Senate Raises
Question.

.ne important committees of the sen-
ate IN h next congress. when that
n"dy Will be under democratic domi-
,a , J. mas necome IL question of
pressing Importance. The matter is
considered so vital to the shaping of
legislation and democratic policies In
the new congress. that party leaders
now here are discussing it with a view.
10 securing important action. 1t is
nough some sort OF a democratic
caucus will he held next week to take
steps toward eorga MIA.
ton.
Inc issue practically has taken the
form OF an ulttmatum from the newer
democratic senator's. in which a num-
her are included many of the most
active members Of that body. that they
must nave their share Of the impor-
ant committee places. or they will
the established order of Sc
hiorltS that has long been the bull
wark of "old members control" in the
senate.
LAWS and Patronage.
The senate committees no. only ex.
a practical control over ali Leg
Of congress. but they will con-
troll no little patronage. The agitation
IN democratic ranks has risen from
the fact that a few democrats long in
the senate hold the ranking positions
on practically all the important COM
nlittees. If the rules of seniority are
followed. each will be allowed to pick
the craftsmanship of n of these
committees. and at the same time
hold second position on others.
Among the more important com.
mittees that have been considered
controlling factors in all important
ieslslat1on are those on finance, APP
preparations. interstate commerce,
naval affairs. the judiciary, foreign
relations. military affairs. rules, and
agriculture. Several propositions for
a change have been advanced. The
most generally accepted of them would
give each of the old senators his
choice of one important committee
workmanship. the other commanding
places on the committees TO be yield-
co. then, to the newer members.
Bacon, 14llman and Martin,
Senators Bacon, Tillman and Mar
tin. who entered the senate in 1895.
mead the democratic membership OF
many committees. Senator Tillman ia
the ranking member Of eight com
mlttees, and under the seniority sys-
tenn would be entitled in the new CON
gress to alike the chairman of one.
and hold the second position on ali
oIiuei lHe proposed plan,
ne Would he entitled to select a chair
manship,. but would then have to give
second place on the other committees
to members not now holding the inn
portant positions.
Among h committees owe which
Senator Tillman. would exercise con-
troll are appropriations. interstate
commerce and naval affairs. Senator
Bacon commands first place on five
committees. among them foreign re-
lations. 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
eommittees including commerce.
CuibersOn and Simmons.
senator Culberson. who came in
four a later than either Of these
three. is the ranking democrat on
tour committees. and in addition. on
the 4th of March will hold second
place on the appropriations and Judi
ciary. giving him his choice of the
chatrmanship of either Of these two
IT senator Bacon should vacate his
position ON the judiciary for the chair
manship Of foreign relations. or n
Senator Tillman should forego his on
portunity to become chairman of an.
propriations.
Senator Simmons who entered the
as late as 1901. would have his
choice OF the chairmanships of AZ
many as six committees. includin1 H.
ance. Other members who will have
q wide range of choice ar Senator's
B~ankhead and Johnston of A)smaba'
Clark and Davis Of Arkansas. New
lands of Nevada, Overman of North
Carolina and Stone of Missouri.