Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-26
NEWLANDS'S SUCCESSOR
CAUSES SPECULATION
His Death Leaves Vacancy in Chair
manship OF Interstate Com
merce Committee.
L. d. SMITH RANKING MEMBER
South Carolinian in Touch With
Railroad Situation, but Has Not
Made 1t Close Study-Pomcrcne
May Take Charge of Work.

Made 1t Close Study-Pomcrcne
May Take Charge OF Work.
WASHINGTON. December 25-The
sudden death of Senator Francis q
Ecwlands on Monday night already hss
stimulated speculation as TO who vii.
be his successor as chairman OF the
senate Interstate Commerce Committee
Senator L. u. Smith. OF South Carolina
is the ranking Democratic member OF
! the committee. But Senator Smith also
is chairman OF the important Immigra
| ton Committee. and is most prom
inent member OF the Agricultural Com
mittee. He belongs to six other com
mittees.
The South Carolinian has devoted
most OF his time to subjects bearing
upon agriculture, and while ho is en-
tircly in touch with the railroad situa-
ton, he has not made the deep study
Of the problem that has Senator Atlee
Pomerenc, OF Ohio who ranks next
TO MIR. Smith.
| IL is rumored tonight that while
Senator Smith may be made the titular
head Of the Interstate Commerce Com
nittce. he will agree to allow Senator
Pomerene to take charge Of the work
INTENSELY INTERESTED
IN RAILWAY LEGISLATION
MT. Pomcrene always has been in
'cnsely interested in railroad lecisla-
ton. lie is "A member or the joint con-
Sressional or "Newlands" committee
and also was very prominent in the
legislation enacted for the brother
hoods iii the historic near strike" OF
August, 1916
! It is expected that the Interstate Com
mercc Committee will hold meet
ing Immediately to rcorganize. This
is considered necessary, because. upon
motion OF Senator Cummins. OF Iowa,
the committee already has started con-
sideration Of the recommendations
made BY the Interstate Commerce Com
mission upon unit control OF the rail-
ways. Also the committee wishes TO be
prepared TO take up any railroad leSis-
lation TO be recommended by the
President after his conference here on
Thursday with the railways executives
and the brotherhoods' representatives.
Resides the question of who will con-
duct the destiny or the Senate commit
tee. two other questions arc Immediate
ly suggested by the death of Senator
Newlands.
The first is, who will assist Preside ent
Wilson with railroad legislation in
place OF the Nevada Senator. Up TO
this time MIR. NeHlands. Judge w. G.
Adamson. chairman OF the House Com
mi,tec on Interstate Commerce. and
Judge w. l.. Chambers OF the Board
OF Mediation and Cancellation. have
acted FOR the President in the way OF
obtaining necessary information
JUDGE CHAMBERS ONLY
ONE or TRIO WHO REMAINS
Now senator Ecwlands is dead and
Judge Adamson has become collector
OF internal revenue at New York. Judge
Chambers is the only one OF tho trio
left. and he has no close association
with Congress. II is supposed Senator
fomercne will take the place OF Nr
Ncwlands in this semiofiicial capacity
although tho names of Senator Robin
son. OF Arkansas: Salisbury. Of Della
ware; Lewis. OF Illinois, and Under
wood. of Alabama, are also suggested.
The second question is. who will I'LL
the Democratic vacancy upon the COM
mittcc" This position will he one OF
great Importance, now that the rail-
road question is looming so largo in
American life and law.
No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral of Senator Ncwlands.
The details will not be arranged until
tomorrow. when his daughters arrive
in the city. 1t is probable. however,
that his body Will bc placed in Oak
Hin Cemetery and later removed to
Nevada.
President Wilson, when told last
night of the Senator's death, was pro-
foundly shocked. The President VIII
attend tho funeral.
In order TO make final arrangements
for tho funeral the family OF Senator
Ncwlands was endeavorins tonight to
find his daughter Mrs. Edith y. John
son, who is believed to be near Santa
Barbara. Cal. 1t is thought now that
tho funeral services will be held at
ST. Adams Cathedral Washington. on
Thursday December -.
The cause OF Senator Ncwlands's
death was clot ot blood at his heart.
Senator Phelan, OF California. who was
with Senator Ncwlauds six hours be-
fore death occurred, was much shocked
when he heard the news.