The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1913-04-11

! - "ool ana senator Sim
mons, tie tariff leaders of the two
bodies. The Democrats have a ms
lorlty of over 140 in the House ftbeir
membership of 28S being double the
combined strength Of the republicans
and progressives. }.
IN the Senate t h e Democratic
strength is 81, and the combined Re.
publican and Progressive strength As.
This margin is counted on to secure
favorable action on the tariff unless
sectional interests of Democratic SEN
ators should bring about a combina-
tion against certain features of the
bill, in which several democratic
votes might be swayed from support
the measure.
Three candidates had been selected
to lead the three parties in the ballot
ing in the House Monday for the
Speakership; but the reelection of
Speaker Clark and the other officers
who served the House in the last ses-
sion was assured. The Democrats
had unanimously indorsed Mr.. Clark
the Republicans had again named
James r. Mann of Illinois, who has
been sepublican leader. and the Pro-
gressives had aligned themselves be-
hind Representative Victor Murdoch
of Kansas.
The Progressive members appear
for the first time in the new Congress
as separate party in the conddct of
House affairs. Many progressive
members, elected in November, have
joined the rarty organization and
will act in concert throughout the
session, at least upon measures that
may be advanced as part OF the Pro-
gressive party's legislative program.
President Wilson'S influence is ex-
pected, by democratic leaders of both
houses, to be potent factor in the
shaping of legislation throughout the
extra session. The President has
taken an active part in the prepara-
tory work on the tariff bill and will
keep in close touch with the Senate
and House through the consideration
of the tariff, currency, or other sub
jects that may be taken up during the
session. He has made it known that
h NAV frequently upset precedent
by visiting the Capitol, and seeking
personal conferences with those ac-
tive in the conduct of legislative af-
fairs.
Important changes in the rules of
the Senate will be brought forward
during the next few days. These
changes as advocated by the new
democratic leaders of the Senate, and
approved by President Wilson, seek
to prevent any centration of power
in the hands of few senators, or of
committee chairmen. 1t is proposed
to make all chairmanships elective;
to give the members OF each COM
mittee the right to call meetings with
out the consent of the chairman; and
to authorize committee to elect men,
bers of joint conference committees.
The latter provision If adopted will
leave to the full democratic member
ship of the finance committee the
selection of the three or five Senators
who will confer with similar house
committee in the settlement of tariff
disputes, and the final completion of
the tariff bill.
The probable length of the session
that began Monday is uncertain. Ac-
tual work Upon tariff revision prob
ably began Tuesday, with the con-
sicdration of the Underwood bill by
the democratic House members, iu
caucus. Within week it is expect
ed that the tariff debate will be in
full swing in the House. Senate
leaders do not expect the compile
ton of tariff work before late in July.
Should currency reform also be talk
ed up at the present session, Congress
will remain at work until
autumn.