The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1913-01-08
PLUhS Of SENATE,
BUT NOT CONTROL,
WILL GO T0ELDERS
Democrats Plan to Let Lib
eral Forces Rule
Committees.
Continued from First Page.)


ity party become. automatically, the
conferees for the Senate.
1t is proposed to abolish this seniority
provision. which in the last analysis
gives the veterans the power to make
legislation just as they want 1t, and
to provide that each committee shall
elect its own conferees.
Change Is Important.
The importance of this change would
be much greater than is popularity I'M
derstood, though experienced Senators
realize all it means. During the many
years, for example, when Mr.. Hale was
head of the Naval Committee he would
almost always be amiable about ac-
cepting anything that was offered in
the committee, or even In the Senate.
An amendment went on with all ease
and CELEBRITY; but when the bill went
to conference, with Mr.. Hale as head
of the Senate conference. 1t was quietly
dropped out il Mr.. Hale didn't like it.
That gave the conferees power prac-
tically to determine the final form of
legislation.
further it is pointed out that under
seniority plan of designating conferees,
men who take little or no interest in
the work of the committees are often
placed at the head of conferences of the
greatest importance. This would be
avoided under the proposed plan.
One more provision looking toward
characterization of the Senate. which
is contained in the plan, is that here
after the chairman shall not have au-
thority to determine when and whether
a committee shall meet. That is the
tacitly accepted rule now. No matter
how important or pressing the business,
committee doesn't meet unless the
chairman wants 1t to do SO. 1t Is pro-
posed that hereafter majority OF
without reference to she chairman's
attitude.
Plan "Sttering" Board.
. Finally, it is proposed to create a
legislative steering committee, repre-
senting the Democratic caucus and
elected by it. which shall take over
large part of the functions of the
leader.
To this program, according to Sen
ntors who have canvassed the situation
with care, 1t Is expected that twenty
nine of the forty-four Democrats now
in the Senate will adhere. In addition.
there are a number who are now classed
as doubtful. Some of the men who are
willing to accept the liberalization plan
are commonly recognized as reaction
sries; but they have seen the handwrit-
ing, and are anxious, II Is declared, TO
get into step with the tendencies OF the
new administration. -
There Is some vigorous opposition 10
the sweeping reorganization OF the Dig
committees, that will be necessary X
they are to be placed within the voting
control of the liberals. This Is a very
important part of the plan. At present
these big committees are generally
dominated by a snug majority OF con-
servative Democrats.
Part of the consideration which the
liberals propose to exact for leaving
the veterans in the chairmanships, IL
that the body Of each first rate commit
tee shall include a majority of radical
and liberal members. os that the chair
man may not be able to rule absolutely.
There Is still an element Of more radi-
cal Democrats who insist that this plan
does not 60 far enough, and are urging
that nothing less than unhorsing the
the veteran conservatives from the
chairmanships will serve; but this is de-
clared not to be by any means the view
of the majority Of liberals.
Senators Gore and Hoke Smith have
gone to Trenton to confer with Presi-
dent-elect Wilson concerning this plan,
to inform him Of details, and advise
with him as to steps necessary to per-
feet II and secure its adoption.