The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-01
LEADER MANN IS
 SILENT ON PLANS
Is Confident of Republican
 Control in 1916
WANTS TARIFF BOARD
Which Should Obtain All Matter Relative to or Affecting the Fixing of Import
 Duties

Washington. December s1.-(S Special Whether the republicans will assume a positive or a negative attitude in the lSixty-fourth Congress-; whether they Will wage an aggressive fight for the policies of their party or will stand or the defense against further democratic Legislation was said today by Represen- tative Mann, the republican leader to the correspondent of The Age Herald stin to be an open question.
 But, while MT. Mann also was silent on the rank to be accorded to come backs, such as Uncle Joe Cannon William Mckinley. Ebenezer Hill ano others of that ilk. indications are strong that they will not be given preference in committee assignments but will De placed on the same footing as debut antes making their first bow in tn, House of Representatives.
 About the only point on which Mr Mann whould commit himself was al assertion that the tariff would be the first feature to receive the attention oi the republicans when they might come into control, which he confidently pre- dicted would be in 1916 And as a pre- liminary to the prospective tariff fight Mir Mann has introduced bill for the creation of a tariff board to obtain in : formation on "all matters relating to or affecting the fixing of import duties. . This information, it is provided, shall be used simply for the guidance of Con- gress in establishing tariff schedules and the board would have no power to regulate tariff rates.
 Composed of Five Members The board would be composed of five members at salary of st0,o0O a year, one to be named by the President one each by the majority and minority mem berships of the Senate finance commit tee and one each by the majority and minority memberships of the committee on ways and means.
 Neither hope nor expectation is en- tertained by MT. Mann that a demo- cratic majority will permit the passage or such measure, but he proposes to keep it conspicuously before the people and will urge it's adoption by the re publicans when they come into contril of Congress" At the same time, when the repubi icans get control" they will not wait for the passage of this bill and the creation of the commission says MT. Mann, but will proceed immediately with the work of amending the tariff law and restoring that protection which is the staff of life of that party i: then, they will create the commission and thereafter will be guided by it's findings in changing schedules from time to time, as conditions are believed to necessitate.
 Asked first as to he attitude of the republicans in the next Congress, Mr Mann said he would not venture to make any prediction and personally had not the slightest idea" whether they would wage an aggressive, thoug necessarily losing. fight against the democratic majority, or would remain on the defensive.
 Tt is too far to look ahead" said MT Mann, and I, for one, have not given that subject any thought"
 As to the recognition to be given the "come- backs he said he would cross that bridge when he came to it and would not set foot on it a minute be- fore. In the Sixty-second Congress and in the present Congress the republicans have placed the minority assignments absolutely in the hands of MT. Mana. and he has yet to hear the first ob jection" from any individual or delega- tion or the minority as d whole to any of his selections.
 Tt may happen" said Mr Mann to- day, that this task again will be en- trusted to me in the next Congress-; so. even if 1 had any idea of what l will do in that event. I would keep quiet on it. But, as a matter of fact. l have not. If ,tR:e task is entrusted to me. shall taKe~up the work when the time na ic moi l.n 1tat to waste time and thought on it be forehand."
 Works in Methodical Manner
 In making the minority assignments in the last Congress and this, MT Mann said he worked in most meth0dical manner even to the extent of keep ing books" and these books he showed to the correspondent of The Age-Her- aid. Each republican in the House is consulted in person by MT. Mann: he talks with groups of members Of the state delegations: he ascertains as clear ly as possible the qualifications of eacl. member for committee work and goes into minute detail.
 While recommendations and items of information come to him in floods from constituents O. friends of members. es- pecially newcomers. says MT Mann. only once has he been asked by any organ  mendations" for a certain committee While he asked that the identity of that organization be not disclosed, it may be said that it was not a business body-that Is, body interested in any line of finance. manufactures or other branch of commercial activity
 As you see." concluded Mir. Mann. when it comes down to the work Of actually picking committee members have the information concerning each man right here in my books and can turn to it to refresh my memory, it is actual, concrete information of the very best kind"
 This would indicate, 1t was sug- gested, that the come backs will be placed on the same level as those who have sat t-irst in this Congress or have been elected for the first time to the next"
 "On that point 1 absolutely will not speak--in fact I cannot speak at pres ent," he replied
 In all probability no effort will be made to solidify the republicans either for or against prohibition or woman suffrage, but each member will be left free to vote as he chooses.