The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-24
SENATOR MARTIN
HAS OPPOSITION
"Frogressi,es" Will Attempt to
Make Kern Leader Of
Upper House.
PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
Next Ten Days Will Sec Many
Congressional Points
Cleared Up.

washington. February 23.--Policics
Of rcw administration and plans of
a uc,v Congress will be fairly we'll
outlined within tho next ten days.
Democratic leaders have prepared for
party reorganization and the outlining
of legislative action immediately after
Mir. Wiisoi,assumcs Office.
Points abou; which congressional
specul..ion has centred for many
weeks viii be cleared up. it is believed,
by March 6 These include the make
w OF l't,sidctn Wilson's Cabinet; re-
lations between Mr.. Wilson and Will
liam } Bryan. subject OF much COS
SIP ths last wcck. the personnel of tho
Democratic membership of the tariff
makm. Ways and Means Committee:
the sCuiic of tho reorganization fight
ia the senate. and the approximate
dutc 10, cuuvcning the extra session
uf Cons icss
BcGuitc Steps Taken,
Definite steps toward launching the
Democratic Congress have been taken.
The House caucus. called for March
y VIII name tile Democratic members
al the Ways and Means Committee.
attend 10 othcr matters of party re-
Organization and furnish the basis Of
tarin discussion from which party
leaders viii proceed in writing the
tariff revision bills.
The reorganization fight in the Sen
alto. aGtcr many conferences during
tho lesi few weeks. apparently has
centred about the effort to name SEN
atur John w Kern. of Indiana as
caucus chairman. Il post that has been
held hN senator Martin. of Virginia;
IN" So-ca!lcd Progressive Democrats"
of the senate insisted to-day that tho
reorganization would not develop into
contest between Senator Kern and
Sonat y Martin but declared that the
selection of senator Kern would he
part al comprehensive plan of SEN
ate rcoi Sari21tion in which all Gle
ments Of the party would be brought
tugcthI,
In both branches of Congress the
settlement Of internal party orEaniza-
lion as To policies and men is consid-
crcd essential at the outset To the
smooth operation OF the new admins
ration The House caucus probably
VII name members OF the Banking and
currency Committee and select at least
tentatively. the heads of other impor
tant committees and House officers.
No question exists over the continue.
'lon OF champ Clark as Speaker and
oscar w. Underwood as floor leader
aud chairman of tho Wars ana Means
Committee
VIII N"t Commit Themselves.
Profound silence has been maintained
rs to the nature of the tariff revision
favored by the present Ways and
Means Committee. Chairman Under
wood and members of the committe co
have declined 10 commit themselves
upon any definite ratcs of duty or upou
amy exact plans for revision ana tho
general subject OF the tariff will he
taken INTO the caucus of March and
considered hy the full Dcmocra tic
membership of the new House, in adj
vance OF ANY positive action by the
Ways and Means Committee toward the
p'eparation of tariff bills.
Cabinet gossip has been incXtricably
woven with all congressional discus
sion throughout The week Democrats
leaders VINO some time ago were con
idcnt that they could name a majority
of the members OF Mir. Wilson's. Cabi-
net have been rcticent and uncommu-
llcatlNc upon the subject for a week
Rumors Of differences between Nrr
Wilson and Mr.. Bryan were in circu.
laton. but the majority OF the Demo
Gratis in both houses declined to ac-
cent them as couirmatory OF any break
between the tWo men.
II rs expected here that President