The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-11
SIMMONS MAY GET
COVETED POSITION.
#ticls Likely to Land Chairman
(, ship of Powerful Finance
Committee.
!. EIGHT WILL BE AVOIDED
Remainder Of Committee Will Be
=. Made Up OF Progressive
Senators.
FIGHT WILL BE AVOIDED

Washington, March lo-After
BRIEF executive session, in which the
termination OF John z. Marble. a mem
Der OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission was confirmed and the nomi-
nations made to-day by President VIII
son were referred to committees, the
Senate adjourned until Tuesday at .
=. NJ.
Organization work to-day held the
attention of Democratic and Republic
can members.
The Democratic steering committee
granted the request Of the Republican
caucus for such increase of mem
bcrship OF the imporsant committees
as Will avoid tho necessity of rcmov-
ing any of the Republicans. Finance.
Foreign Relations and Judiciary were
enlarged from fifteen to seventeen
members. and the Committee on Rules
from eight 10 ten members. These
changes will also give the Democrats
increased representation.
The Democratic steering committee
also decided to create a new Commit
Tee on Banking and Currency of twelve
members, TO take over part of the work
Of the Finance Committee. The gen
cral understanding is that Senator
10 l.
Republican Caucus.
Republican Senators in caucus de-
cided TO cast their complimentary vote
for the officers who have conducted
Senate affairs under Republican con-
troll. They will support Senator Gal
linser for president pro TEN. The only
elective Office which will be given to
the Republicans probably will be the
acting assistant doork cepcr. Carl y.
Loet'ier was selected by the caucus
for that position which is in the ma
turc of confidential Clerkship TO the
minority membership.
The assignment of committee chair
manships and places on the committees
was begun to-day by the Democratic
steering committee. of which Senator
Kern, Of Indiana. is chairman. The
nine members OF tho committee or
committees assembled about 9 o'clock
This morning in the Democratic eau
Gus room IN the senate Office Building
and were in session all the morning.
The same fight which has been made
by tho progressives among the Senate
Democrats against the su-called CON
scrvatives. and which resulted in the
election of Senator Kern, of Indiana,
as chairman Of the Democratic caucus.
over senator Martin, of Virginia. and
Of Senator Clarke, of Arkansas as
President pro tcmporc of the Senate
over Senator Bacon, of Georgia was
the steering committee to-day The
seniority rule in the assignment Of i'm
poItant committee appointments is TO
be- followed it is understood. but with
certain notifications.
Ruling for Older Senator's
The older Senators. ii IN said. have
been made. TO understand that IL they
are given the important chairnaushin
TO which their long service entities
them they are not 10 have places on
other important committees. This plan
has been evolved so az to prevent tho
Capitalization of power in the hands
OF a few OF the older Senators, which
has existed in the past
Senator Martin, Of Virginia. is the
only one of the elder Senators on the
steering committee, Tue other members
being Senator Kern, of Indiana chair
man; Clarke. of Arkansas: Chamber
lam. of Oregon; Owen. of Oklahoma.
pGorman. OF New York: Hoke Smith
Of Georgia; Lea of Tennessee. and
Thomas of Colorado,
One OF the big fights is over tho
craftsmanship of the powerful Finance
Committee, which is TO handle the tariff
hills at the extra session of Congress
soon TO convene. Senator Simmons Of
North Carolina, is entitled TO this
chairmanship by right OF seniority. He
has been considered Il rcactionary
among the Democrats. however and the
progressives would like very much 10
give the chairmapsi1ip' to.+one OF their
number. ITowevtr, with majority
In the Senate so narrow that they must
have all their men in line, the Demo
Gratis 40 not wish 10 force the older
members of the Senate into an omen
hight II seems likely that Mr. sim
mons VIII be given this chairmanship.
and That the prosressives will see TO
~ mat the rest of the committee is
IareeiH progressive, Should Mr. Sim
mons not be made chairman. Senators
stone, Williams and Kern are in line.
however Senator Stone is liable TO
head the Committee on Banking and
currency. which the committee to-day
decided 10 create
Place for 'RiIimau.
Senator TillmaN, ot South Carolina.
SENS sure TO succeed to the chairman