The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-17
Seniority and Committee Plans
Are Minor.
SENIORS STILL GET JOBS.
older lncumbents Fare Pretty Well
Despite Big Shakeup - New Men
Have Asserted Themselves and Have
Proved Power of Control - Curry
Would Abandon Philippines.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Dy An W. DONN'
Washington. Jan. IA. - [Special.l -
After ALL this fight over committee as
signments, the relegation of seniority
to the rear and the dividing up of the
important places so that all senators
can get good committee assignments
does not concern the policies of the
Democratic party, which takes over the
legislative and executive control of the
government on the 4th of March. This
contest, which has been waged with
considerable warmth, is but Of minor
consideration. Little more than spoils
is involved.
The efforts of men to get a slice of
good things instead of having most of
them go to the seniors constituting one
third of the senators is about all there
is to it. Committee places mean
certain amount of power. but the same
men who have brought about the first
reform could take any bill from a com
mittee and fashion it to suit them
selves.
More than that, the matter of dis
lodging the seniors has not been car
ried to a logical conclusion Many of
the seniors have obtained just what
they wanted, and none of them has
been deprived of the right to choose
his place because he is a senior.
Still it is a trend of the times. There
has been something of a shakeup. The
new men have asserted themselves
and proved they have the power of
control.
Here's "Treason."
Congressman George Curry of New
Mexico says that the United States
should get rid of the Philippines. The
treason in that statement is because
Curry was rough rider, was governor
of several different provinces in the
Philippines under Roosevelt, was a
Roosevelt man in the last campaign
and has always been a firm admirer
of the colonel. And the colonel would
never give up the Philippines-never!
Nicaragua the Place.
81 still think Nicaragua is the place
to have built the canal" remarked
Congressman Mann, who knows more
about the big ditch than any other
civilian. He went on to explain why,
saying that it was nearer, that it could
have been constructed with as little
trouble and that it seemed to be the
natural route. Let it also be remem-
bered that when the canal was located
the house with but one dissenting vote
on roll call when more than 300
members voted supported the Nicara-
qua route.
NI.ne 10 Nov hot Tfrl1f Nv
q majority of three chose Panama, and
the house yielded without struggle.
And now comes Mann still insisting
that the house was right at the time.
Mondel Praoticing.
We rather suspect that Frank Mon
dell of Wyoming is pracicing for the
possible position of chairman of the
committee on appropriations in case
the Republicans should again control
the house. Mondell has been in every
fight on the different appropriation
bills. He has taken the place of critic
and assisted those who were scrutiniz-
ing the appropriations made by other
committees than the appropriations
committee last session, and he may be
at the top after few changes.
Shaw's Missivinss.
Former Secretary Shaw comes to
Washington occasionally and nearly
always says something worth while.
81 sometimes think there are only two
Republicans left" he remarked the
last time he was here and added, "And
though l am sure of myself l some
times doubt Uncle joe" The eX-speak-
er may have some doubt of Shaw, but
both may be considered in the 'reg-
ular" class for years to come.
Returns to the Fight.
Senator Swanson of Virginia is not
discouraged because of the practical
defeat of the good roads proposition by
the senate last year. He has returned
to the fight with a bill for $25,000,000
to be expended upon roads. He will
endeavor to have it made a part of the
postoffice bill at the present session of
congress.
Net In This Congress.
There is not much hope of the re-
public Of Colombia receiving compensa-
tion for the loss of Panama in this or
even the next congress. Though it may
have been demonstrated that the Unit
ed States government fomented and
supported the revolution which made
Panama an Independent government,
the feeling against that action has not
reached the stage where we want to
send the claim to The Hague tribunal
for adjustment. ''If they get enough
claim agents interested" remarked an
experienced member of the house, "and
make the claim large enough and let it
lie around long enough perhaps 1t may
some day be paid. We are purposing
to pay French spolation claims more
than 100 years old, and we are paying
war claims that no one thought of pre-