The Washington herald., 1913-03-22
five FACTIONS
COMPOSE HOUSE
Discordant Quintet to Answer
Roll Call the Day Con-
gress Convenes.
DEMOCRATS ARE SPLIT
Middle West Members Want Good
Committee Assignments and Op-
pose Farmers Free List.

Five conferences will be held early in
April by the five different political or
ganizations that will have representa-
ton in the membership of the new
House of Representatives.
The Bull Moose herd will round up"
on April . The Progressive Repub-
licans will meet on or about that date.
The insurgent Democrats will hold a
war dance on April 4. The day follow
ing the regular Republicans will be call
ed to order. few days later the Dem
ocrats will hold a party caucus to con-
slider the tariff revision programme.
Things are becoming so mixed in a
political way in the House that old
time politicians are are becoming some
what bewildered. There will be three
organizations of Republicans in the new
House. regulars, Republicans. COM
monty known as Progressives, and ST.
mon-pure Progressives. who call them
selves Bull Moose. The insurgent DEM
ocrats come from the middle Western
country. They are out Of tune with the
Southern Democrats. who dominate the
House. and want better committee as
signments than they thilhk they are
going to land Fear is expressed by the
leaders that some of the insurgent DEM
ocrats may join at times with either
the Bull Moose or the Progresisves.
Taken all in all, Democrats as well
Is Republicans look for lively time In
the new Congress. There are possibili-
ties for combination in all these different
political elements that may stir up trou-
BILE before the tariff programme is put
through the House The Middle Western
Democrats not only want substantial rec
ognition in the way of committee places.
hut they threaten to join hands with
the Republicans. Progressives, and Bull
Moose all of whom are protectionists, IL
the tariff bill proposes to put farm prod
ucts on the free list.
As the agricultural schedule is now
made up il is moderately protective. The
radical Democrats will make an attempt
In the caucus to put practically all farm
products on the free list. II the radicals
win in caucus IL will result in a most
determined fight in the House. The pro-
lection Democrats from the West, IN
conjunction with the Republicans. near
Republicans, and Bull Moose. would un-
doubtedly under circumstances join
hands with Southern members who want
protection for citrus fruits, lumber, and
other products in which the South Is
vitally concerned.
bull Moose Plans.
In addition to nominating Representa-
tive Victor Murdock of Kansas for
Speaker. the Bull Moose will on April :
put forward a comprehensive legislative
programme. They will not formally pro-
pose changes in the Democratic tariff
bill
The plank in their platform dealing
with this subject declares that before
the tariff is amended that the question
shall first he made the subject of care
full inquiry by a nonpa rtisan board The
Bull Moose will present bills on corpor-
atoms. conservations. and other sub
jects that were discussed in the plat
form adopted at Chicago.
At their meeting on April 4, the in
surgent Democrats will discuss ways
and means to obtain good committee
places. and appoint a subcommittee to
see to IL that the products Of the Middle
West are given adequate protection.
Scared by the determination of the
Bull Moose to nominate candidate for
Speaker. the Progressive Republicans
will meet to decide just what is to be
done to save them the necessity of vot-
ing for Bull Moose Murdoch. They
fear that if they vote for the Kansan
that there will he no further excuse
for them to use the name Republican"
For strategic reasons, they are forced
to call themselves Republicans. although
they have not had anything to do with
the party organization in the House for
long time.
On April 5 the regular Republicans
will meet to nominate Representative
James r. Mann of Illinois as their cam
didate for Speaker. and doubtless at
the same time they will fill all vacancies
on the Republican Congressional Com
mittee.