Gunnison news-champion., 1914-01-30
~ EDW AKD kEATING
Coaere~~msn 81 Large iron Cosssrsxso


Washington. ID. C.-AIl my res<sen
ere probably scqsssnsed siith tbs sctaou
of the Democratsc Caucus ef the House
of Representative on my resolution.
calling for the appointment of q Con
gress,onsl committee to inquire into
everything connected with the coal
strike IN Colorado. The news agencies
have told the story ho~ after prosouG-
ed discussion. the CAUCUS by the decisive
vote of lss 10 n. reversed the decision
of the yowerful Rules Committee. and
directed that my resolution be broa9ht
eut on the aoor of the House, and the
members given an opportunity to vote
On IT. Many of the most interesting
phases of the contest we're not Touched
upon in the teseRrsphic stories and as
they shed instructive and Illuminating
side lights ON CongressIonsl procedure.
| fell that they may well bs set down IN
this report.
While in Colorado last October ! an
nounced that | would ASK Congress- to
investigate the coal strike and the
causes leading up to the unfortunate
conflict. Ny hope was that IN inquiry
conducted by an able and impartial
committee would deveiope facts which
would crystelize public sentiment in
favor Of prompt and pescesble settle
ment Of the dispute and that that senti-
ment would he so overwhelming in its
manifestation that both parties of the
conflict would be constrained to modify y
their positions.
RESOLUTION WAS BROAD
When | returned to Washington,
laid the Colorado situation before Presi-
dent Wilson, Secretary of Labor, Spea-
ker Clark, Democratic Underwood and
the Colorado senators, and finally in
October introduced my resolution call
ling for Congressional inquiry. The
provisions were so broad and so mani
festy fair that felt 1t would command
the support of every one who was hon.
estly seeking the answer to our indus
trial enigmas. 1t directed the investi-
eating committe to probe the methods
of the Union just rs vigorously as those
Of the coal operators.
md not feel then and | do not feel
now, that the laying bear of the truth
can injure any individual or interest in
Colorado which should not be injured.
Nv resolution was referred to the
committee on Rules, in most respects,
the most powerful committee of the
House 1t consists of seven Democrats,
three Republicans and one Progressive.
1t is the one committee of the House
which cannot be discharged from the
consideration of a bill except by vote of
the House.
In other words, when the Rules Com
mittee become possessed of a resolution
or bill, the House loses control of that
measure and it cannot be brought out
on the floor of the House for q vote or
discussion unless the members of the
Committee are agreeable. In the case
of all other committees there is provid-
ed means by which bills may be taken
from them and placed before the
House.
ONCE CANNON'S WEAPON
In the old DAYS of Cannon rule, the
Rules Committee was the right hand of
the Speaker. Its powers were despotic
and it yielded obedience to no one save
Uncle Joe" himself. 1t was his ser
vile, merciless tool, and he used to
crush those members who dared TO cross
him. 1t was the arrogant injustice of
this committee which led to the insur-
gent movement among the Republicans