Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-26
VETS AND NORTHERNERS
THREATENING TROUBLE
They Easily May Wreck Plans Laid
by Democratic Organization
in House.
WORRIES FOR REPUBLICANS
They Are PerpleXed by Problem OF
What to DO With Progressive
Wing - Bitter Fight Is Likely
Over Committee Ciiairmanships.
WORRIES FOR REPUBLICANS
ipy Associated Press.

WASHINGTON. March 25.-With the
convening OF Congress in extra session
only week off, congressional leaders
are here for conferences with admins
tration officials over the legislation
which will be demanded by the virtual
state of war existing between the
United States and Germany.
Members OF the Foreign Relations
and Military Committees and OF the
House Ways and Means Committee.
which frames revenue legislation. ali
Will have important matters to dis
cuss.
Aside from the great business for
which Congress has been called, the
question of organization is chiefly oc
cupyinE the House leaders. Both
Democrats and Republicans said to-
night that the election of Speaker
probably would follow soon after the
House was called TO order. but that
the organization of committees pre-
sented problem the result of which
no one could forecast.
PERPLENED ny "wETS"
AND NORTHERN DEMOCRATS
The attitude of the so-called wet
members and of some OF the Northern
Democrats is giving concern to the
Democrats, while the Republicans are
&.
Any of these elements might easily
wreck the organization plans of the
majority Of either side.
Feeling among Democrats over COM
mittee assignments was bitter at the
close of the last Congress. The VETS,
of whom there are about twenty.
angered over the manner in which pro-
hibition Legislation was pushed through
in the dying days of the session. de-
clarcd that they would see several
Democratic chairmen displaced at this
session If they had TO vote with the
Republicans. In turn, Democratic
"d-ys' declared openly that any in
surGent movement by the "wets"
would result In their summary relcga-
ton TO the foot OF committees.
Discomfort of Northern Democrats
over Southern members holding vir-
tually all Of the choice committee
chairmanshps broke out in heated
declarations that the coming session
would have to see some decided
changes III committee heads il North
crn support desired further.
Rumors reaching the Capitol daily
indicate that many of the Democrats
will demand pledges of changes in
committee heads before they will agree
TO caucus rules on anything except the
selection OF Speaker. All factions are
united in their support of Speaker
Clark for reelection.
ONE BIG COMMITTEE
HEADED BY NORTHERNER
In the last Congress only one big
committee. Appropriations. was headed
by Democrat from the North. Rep
rcscntativc Fitzgerald, of New York.
one of the biggest fights among the
Democrats is expected to occur on
Representative Webb. OF North Caro-
lima. former chairman Of the Judiciary
Committee and leader OF the House
prohibition forces. He incurred the
enmity of wet members of his party
last session by his energetic support
OF dry" measures All prohibition
measures go TO the Judiciary Com
mittee. and Representative Webb is the
author and champion OF nation wild c
prohibition bill.
Other committees headed by South
erncrs at the last session of Congress
included: Military, Dent, Alabama
Naval. Padgett. Tennessee; Foreign Af-
fairs. Flood. Virginia.; Rules. Henry,
Texas; Ways and Means. Kitchin. North
Carolina: Interstate Commerce. Adam
son. Georgia: Agriculture. Lever, South
Iaroiina' BANKING. Glass, OF Virginia
Post-Oflicc. Moon, Tennessee. and Dis
trict of Columbia. Johnson. Kentucky.
Save for Representative Henry, of
Texas. all Of these chairmen. if the
seniority rule should prevail would
succeed themselves. and Representative
Garrett. of Tennessee, would head the
Rules Committee.
Tho long list of old-time Republicans
who would inherit chairmanships under
the seniority rule II the Republicans
should organize perpLeXes their lead
ers. Progressively inclined Republi-
cans. OF whom there arc about forty.
have indicated privately and in in
formal discussion that they will not
accept certain OF these men as COM
mittee chairmen under any circum,
stances.