The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-03-06
kern SELECTED
SENATE LEADER
Row in Democratic Caucus
Fails TO MateTiaIiza.
PALMER HOUSE CHAIRMAN

Dominant Party Without Friction Pre-
pares to Organize Congress For the
Special Session.
Washington, March 6.-The Demo
Gratis of both house and senate in the
new congress met in caucus to pre-
pare for the work ahead in the special
session, which is to be called by Pres
ident Wilson for April 1.
Both meetings were harmonious,
and whatever friction may develop
was under the surface as the congress-
men assembled.
the floor leadership which had threat
ened for several days failed utterly to
materialize, and Senator John w.
Kern was unanimously chosen.
Senator Martin, of Virginia, retir.
ing Democratic leader, declared few
days ago he was glad to lay down the
responsibilities of that position. The
retirement of Senator Martin and the
election of Senator Kern ended long
struggle for control between the So
called Progressive Democrats and the
conservatives.
It was generally understood that
there would be no move to disturb the
old leaders in their committee assign.
ments.
The caucus authorized Senator Kern
to appoint a committee of nine to de-
wise a plan fer the reorganization of
the senate committees. Senator New
lands, of Nevada, was chosen as vice
chairman and Senator Salisbury, of
Delaware, one of the newly-elected
members of the body, was named as
secretary of the caucu-
Senator Tillman expressed prefer
ence for the craftsmanship of the com.
mittee on appropriations, and said
President Wilson had advised his Sc
lection as chairman of that commit.
tee. President Wilson, he said, was
heartily for economy.
Republican senators also held eau.
Gus and selected as their chairman
and floor leader Senator Gallinger, OF
New Hampshire. They authorized Gal.
linger to select a committee on COM
mittees which will have charge OF
filling the Republican, places. There
was no opposition to the seniority
rule,
Senator Kenyon, of Iowa. was chos-
en- secretary of the caucus. Senator
LaFollette was present. but Senators
BrisfoV, oind 6xfe add Cf4Db did zSut
appear The two latter have been clas
sif1ed as Progressives, but Republi
cans expect Senator Clapp would par.
ticipate in the Republican committee
assignments.
Democratic members of the new
house of representatives-the major.
ity of which will shape legislation on
the tariff and other important meas
ures-also assembled in caucus to or
ganize for the work of the coming ses
sion.
The meeting was held at the call OF
Representative Burleson, of Texas, as
caucus chairman, postmaster general
in President Wilson's cabinet.
Amid applause, Representative Un
derwood, of Alabama, nominated Rep
resentative A. Michel Palmer, oil
Pennsylvania, for chairman of caucus
and Mr.. Rothermel, of Pennsylvania.
seconded the nomination. Mr.. Palmer
was elected and Immediately took the
chair. Representative Ashbrook, OF
Ohio, was reelected secretary.
A rule was adopted requ ring that
hereafter fifty signatures should be
necessary for the ealing of a caucus
instead of twenty-five, as under the old
rule.
Champ Clark was renominated for
speaker amid a chorus of cheers and
yells. He is assured of election by
the house.
Representative Underwood, of Ala.
bama, was chosen again to be chair.
man of the ways and means commit.
tee. This retains him as the house
floor leader.