Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-06
Indiana Senator Succeeds
to Place Held by Martin
Of Virginia, Making Up
per House Progressive.
HOUSE MEMBERS IN
CAUCUS TODAY ALSO
Shift Of Committee. Men,
berships Due to Burleson
Entering Cabinet a n d
Other Changes.

Washington, D. c., March 5.-When
the democrats of the new senate met
in caucus today to elect chairman,
there was no opposition to Senator
John w. Kern Of Indiana, as the new
leader. Senator Martin of Virginia, re-
firing democratic leader, declared q
few days ago he was glad to lay down
the responsibilities of his Office.
The retirement of Senator Martin
and the candidacy Of Senator Kern
ends long struggle for control of the
senate of the sixty-third congress be-
tween the socalled progressive demo-
Gratis and the old conservatives.
1t was generally understood there
would be no move to disturb the old
leaders in their committee assign
ments.
Immediately after the caucus as
sembled Mr. Kern was unanimously
chosen by acclamation. Joe T. Robin
son, the new democratic senator from
Arkansas was the only member absent.
He had not been able to get to Wash
ington in time to take his oath Of
once. The caucus then took up the
business Of COMMITTEES ASST gnments %
House Members Caucus.
Democratic members OF the new
house of epresentatives-the ma
jority of which will shape legislation
on the tariff and other important
measures assembled here for the
frst time today, not in formal session
rs part of the new congress, but In
caucus to organize for the work OF
the coming session.
The meeting was held at the call Of
Representative Burleson Of Texas, the
caucus chairman. who becomes post
master general in President Wilson'S
cabinet. Mr.. Burleson's successor as
chairman, Representative A. Mitchell
Palmer Of Pennsylvania, who is close
ly identified with the new. administra-
tion, and will be in a measure its
exponent in the lower branch Of con-
gress.
New Faces in House.
This first gathering Of the new
marked change in personnel which
came into effect yesterday noon.
Among the new democratic members
Q
Representatives Frank T. O'Hair Of
Illinois, who succeeds "Uncle Joe"
Cannon; jeremiah Donovan of Con-
necticut, who succeeds Ebenzor Hill;
Lazare of Louisiana. who succeeds Mr..
Pujo, chairman Of the socalled money
trust committee; DIETRICH of Massa-
chusetts. who succeeds Samuel w. Nc
Call, and the successors Of Representa-
tives Longworth and Cox of Ohio, tn,
latter having become governor; Rep
resentative Herman NJ Metz former
controller Of, New York, and Repre-
sentative Lathrop Brown, who succeeds
Martin Littleton of New York, are
among the new democratic members.
Some Of the new members were not
here for the caucus but reasonable
full quota was on hand to map out the
work ahead. In all there are 290
democratic members of the new con-
gress, or a majority of 145. The eau
Gus met to designate the democratic
membership of the new ways and
means committee, which undoubtedly
will be the same as that of the last
congress with the exception of three
retiring members. a
Among those prominently mentioned
to succeed them are Garner of Texas,
Saunders of Virginia, Stanley Of Ken
lucky, and Bartlett of Georgia. +
Representative Underwood Of Ala
bama, it is conceded, will continue as
chairman. -5. 81"
The tariff bills also were to be passed
on by the democratic caucus before
they are submitted to the new house.
This, however, is expected to come at
a later stage, as today's caucus dealt
largely with personnel.
Speaker Clark has had no opposi.
tion IS democratic candidate for speak
or of the house.