The Washington times., 1913-03-02
DEMOCRATS SPLIT
BY COMMITTEE JOB
Martin, Believing He's Being
Knitted, Starts War That
Threatens to Spread.
By John SNURE.

w ar mas DTohen out among the OlO
Guard Democrats of the Senate.
Because Senator Martin of Virginia
and his close friends believe that he
has been knitted by Senator Simmons
of North Carolina, Senator Clarke of
Arkansas and some of the other con-
servative Democrats, with the object
of saving Senator Simmons from being
shut out of the Craftsmanship of the
Finance Committee. there is blood on
the moon. and things are assuming a
CORY aspect in other directions.
The result is that the progressive
Democrats more than ever are in the
saddle in the Senate, and when the
caucus is held, which has been called
for March 8. it win be demonstrated
they are in control.
Senator Simmons OF North Carolina
Will be beaten for chairman of the
Finance Committee unless the situation
changes radically, and either Hoke
Smith or John Sharp Williams will be
chosen.
Try to Stop War.
This is SO far true that some of the
intimates Of Senator Simmons have
gone to the progressive leaders and en-
treated them to stop the war on the
North Carolina Senator and let him
gressive leaders have refused to stop
the war and are bent on getting the
scalp of Mr.. Simmons They do not
especially care to punish the Senator
from North Carolina. but they are re-
solved that progressive Democrat
shall head the Finance Committee
rather than a man who refused to vote
for free lumber or low rates on lum-
Der, and who voted to keep Lorimer
in the Senate.
tn a nroha hi,ifias arc that had fhero
been no split in the ranks of the old
guard Democrats. the progressive DEM
ocrats would have been able to defeat
Senate Simmons for chairman Of FL
Martins friends toward Senator Sim
mons makes the defeat of the North
Carolina man seem assured.
Important Place
OF what importance it is that a pro-
gressive Democrat is to head the FL
nance Committee can best be under
stood when it is reflected that this COM
mittee will have to pass on the tariff
bills in the extra session and on cur
rency measures unless a new banking
and currency committee is created,
which Is doubtful.
Big Democratic politics is involved
n the war on Simmons. Back Of it
stands the figure OF Bryan. woodrow
Wilson is not encouraging it, at least
is no longer restraining 1t. At one time.
the word came from Trenton that he
wanted peace No such emanation 10
heard at this time. and having beaten
Senator Martin, the progressive Dem
ocrats are giving their attention to
Senator Simmons. Senator kern's cleo
tion as Democratic leader is assured.
He will have no opposition.
The probable chairman of the FL
nance Committee Is either Senator John
Sharp Williams. who is already on the
EHoo nr
Smith. Both Senators ars men of ex-
traordinary capacity. Each is fully
identi6eds With the progressive Demo-
cratic wing of the party and each is
close In the councils Of Wilson.
Pleas for harmony in behalf Of SEN
ator Simmons have been rlade in
plenty. 1t has been urged that the Sen
ate Democrats, with only, narrow
jeopardize that control by getting into
fight among themselves.
They Disagree.
But progressive Democratic leaders
like Senators Lea, Hoke Smith, Owen,
Chamberlain, Kern, and others workin 8
along the same lines do not see it that
way. They believe the eyes of the
country are on the Finance Comrntttee
craftsmanship They think the country
would as little relish tariff measure or
measures which Senator Simmons had
engineered through the Senate as it
would relish one engineered by Aldrich.
For the political psychology IF the
thing, they are determined 70 put a
progressive Democrat at the head of
the Finance Committee and that is why
Senator Simmons will probably find
himself overthrown.
What will be the effect of it
all on the Senate Democratic body
as a whole remains 10 le seen
II is certain that the progressive
Democratic leaders are determined
10 make up the Committee on Commit
tees. and the committees themselves. so
that the proSressiveS shall be in con-
tIoL The tentative states they have
framed up are of a sort that will enable
the progressive wing of the party 20
shape all important legislation for the
next two wears