Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-13
SCRAMBLE FOR
COMMITTEE JOBS
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE
r LOOKING OUT FOR BETTER
ASSIGNMENTS.
BOTH PARTIES BUSY.
Republican and Democrat Alike Arc
In Race for Preferred Positions
on the Various House
Committees.
JBY e. II. HANSON.1

By T.. II. f1AlNOoAN.I
Washington, D. c., March 12.-Iowa
congressman, both democratic and re-
publican, are now laying their ropes
for desirable committee appointments
in the new congress. With the ex-
ception of Mr.. Good of the fifth dis
ttrict, every one Of the republicans
wants something better. Mr.. Good,
although offered the most desirable
committee place in the house, for his
own reasons prefers to stay where
he Is.
Representative Pepper has been
doomed for craftsmanship by some
Of his friends, and if the three demo-
Gratis from Iowa, Of whom he Is one'
have anything to say about chairman
ships, he will land one
II The new rule as to committees,
passed at the house caucus last week
will increase his chances somewhat.
Many of the southerners now hold sew
eral first class places and small chair.
manships. Under this rule they will
have to decide between a first class
place and a craftsmanship. Many OF
them, by conditions in their districts,
will be compelled to surrender their
chairmanships, and thus there will be
number open for a scramble be-
tween those from the northern dis
tricts where committee assignments
are not thought so much Of.
Representative Connolly is trying
! for foreign relations and falling to get
that he would like banking and cur
rency Because of his experience
abroad, especially at Heidelberg,
where he took his Phi. D. degree, Mr..
Connolly is eminently fitted for the
committee on foreign affairs.
Wants Agriculture.
- Mr.. Kirkpatrick is seeking men,
bership on the committee on agricul-
ture. He is the owner of farms and
has studied farming from the practical
standpoint all his life. Also he regards
farming topics as the most vital OF any
connected with committees here in
relation to his district at home.
On the republican side Of the house,
Mr.. Good has practically received the
tender of a place on ways and means.
He is now a member of appropria-
tons, which is excelled only by ways
and means. AS result of the recent
election, the member from the fifth
will move up to second place on ap-
preparations. None of the members
defeated will ever come back to con.
gress. On the other hand, although
there are a number Of vacancies on
ways and means as a result of the
election-several of those who we're
beaten are already in the race for
1914 and part of them will come back
after the lapse of two years. They
would take precedence then over
men appointed on the committee for
this congress. Mr.. Good has made a
reputation for himself on appropria-
tons, is thoroughly familiar with the
work, and in the event Of republican
success would more than likely become
it's chairman, or if not, then chairman
Of one Of the other most important
committees in the house.
Representative Green Of the ninth
district earnestly desires a place on
ways and means. AS he has not served
a full congress-, having been elected to
a vacancy caused by the resignation OF
Judge Walter I. Smith, his claim for
the place is likely to receive little con-
sideration. Had he been more active he
might have impressed more with 1t.
Haugen is Satisfied.
Representative Haugen Of the fourth
on the agriculture committee, and
chairman in the event Of republican
success two years hence, If that sue
cess includes his own
Representative Towner of the eighth
is going to try for a place on Judiciary.
Having devoted his life to the law, he
would like nothing better than a place
on the lawyers committee.
Frank Woods of the tenth is pretty
nearly satisfied where he is, as he is
not fond Of committee work. and If he
can land the minority place on indus
trial arts and expositions he will be
satisfied. He could get 1t on claims. but
there is much work attached to that
and none to the other.
Representative Scott of the eleventh
hasn't made his selection yet, but is
sure to land something better than he
now has. reform in the civil service
and coinage, weights and measures. r
Representative Kennedy Of the first
will stay where he is, on rivers and
harbors. He will be third man there on
the republican side, preceded by Law
renee Of Massachusetts and Humphrey
of Washington. Mr.. Prouty Of the sew
enth will remain on the district COM
mittee.
IoWan Promoted. "
Caspar l.. Dreier Of Muscatine who