Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-12
PROBE NOW SOUGHT
Of HOUSE METHODS
Mr.. Anderson Asks Thorough
Inquiry Into Legislative
Practices.
FOLLOWS HIS LEAVING
IMPORTANT COMMITTEE
Scores Democratic Caucus. Saying
He Has Been Allowed No Part
In Framing Tariff Bill

A thorough investigation of the legis-
latlve practices of the House by com
mission on legislative methods and prac-
tlces'' is proposed in a resolution in
troduced today by Representative Ander-
son of Minnesota, republican, who sur
prised the House last night by resign
ing from the ways and means commit
tee as protest against democratic legis-
lative methods
Under the resolution commission Of
nine members of the House would in
qlire:
Whether any system, method or
practice has been used or is being
used. the effect of which is to unrea
sonably deprive any member of his
rights or prerogatives as a member of
the House of Representatives under
the Constitution or laws of the United
States"
Campaign Against Secret Caucus.
In the statement accompanying his
resignation Representative Anderson
| announced that this was the beginning
of general campaign against the
secret caucus and secret committee
work in legislative practice. Discuss
ing the situation in the House the
statement said:
For a period after the civil war the
south was without representation in
the national legislature The result
was the passage of unwise and op-
pressive legislation affecting the soutn.
This great section of the countr !
still labors under the ill-results of the
| legislation of that period. Today the sit
uation has been reversed The south is in
the saddle. legislatively, while the north
| so far as practical participant ton in tine
| making Of legislation is concerned, is
practically diSfranchised. AS a result the
legislative acts of the House. particularly
In the present session, have shown a very
marked lack of appreciation of CONNER
cial and Industrial conditions in the north.
especially as regards the interests of
| those engaged in agriculture in the great
northwest
Scores Caucus Methods.
Representative Anderson, in res:gning
his membership on the ways and means
committee yesterday afternoon, made a
speech which bitterly arraigned the IRON
clad caucus methods of legislation by
which the Underwood tariff bill had been
driven through the House. Mr.. Anderson 8
speech followed close upon other repub-
ican as we'll as progressive complaints
that the gag and the steam roller are
being operated by the democrats to such
an extent that no member of the minor
ity is Of the slightest use to his constit-
uents Mr.. Anderson declared that the
caucus is now the essential legislative
method. and that the caucus is secret.
In explaining his resignation, Mr.. An
derSon said:
Il am induced to resign my member
ship on the committee on ways and
means because the rules of this House
OIL nj fra aF xs<,l1
here deprive me Of my opportunity for
service to the country on that commit
tee and because my continuance on that
committee must be construed into an
acquiescence in fraud upon those who
have a right to believe and do believe
that have had or shall have some part
In framing the legislation reported by
that committee.
Deprived of Giving Service.
THE rules of the House, written and
| unwritten, deprive me of my oppor-
| tunity for service, and the system OF
legislation. visible and invisible, which
| obtains here. tsrips me of my preroga-
| t1ves as representative of the people
If the present system continues the in
evitable result must be that men of in
dustry and ability viii no longer seek
| membership in the House"
He reviewed the course of the tariff
bill through the ways and means COM
| mittee and the House. and said
Il have had no part in the framing
Of the tarir bill which passed the
House and Senate. l shall have none
l am overwhelmed. discouraged, dis
| heartened by the uselessness and
| fruitlessness of 1T all
In an analysis of the opera ton Of the
| caucus system, Mr.. Anderson declared
| that fourteen southern states-Ala-
| bama, Arkansas Florida, Georgia
Kentucky. Louisiana. Mississippi, Mis-
/ souri,. North Carolina. Oklahoma
| South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and
Virginia-alone send l29 democrats te
the House, or enough to control the
legislative policy OF the caucus, and
hence Of the House"