The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-20
G. .P.SENATORS
DEMAND END0F
EXECUTIVERUL
Resolution Declares for AS
sertion of Legislative
Function.
SOCIALISM Is FEARED
Tendency Evidenced in
Seizure of Cables to Be
Attacked.
LIST JOINT COMMITTEES
Reconstruction Work Mapped
Out at Conference to Ig-
more Party Lines.
LIST JOINT COMMITTEES
spec.al pespateh TO ruE Sun.

WASHINGTON. Nov. IA confer
.nce Of Republican Senators to-day,
which was one of the largest In point
Of attendance in many months and
tore every evidence of solidarity
within the party, went on record as
being opposed to n continuance of the
autocracy brought about by the war.
It was apparent that those par
ticipating In the conference were
unanimous in their objection. now the
war is over. to having Congress made
rubber stamp merely to register
the will Of the Executive. Revoking
The many special war powers con-
fired upon the President during the
emergency was also strongly advo-
Gated at the meeting.
see sociaIistic Tendency.
A strong socialistic policy on the
cerned by some OF the Senators pres
ent, who announced their intention Of
making speeches regarding this ten
dency as evidenced in the seizure OF
the cable lines by Postmaster General
Burleson.
The following resolution concerning
the exercise by Congress OF its normal
function In legislative matters was
adopted as expressing the sense of the
Congress-,
That the Congress shaIf assert and
exercise its normal and constitu-
tional function, including legislation
necessary for reconstruction.
The conference adopted a modification
Of the Weeks plan for reconstruction
which would create six non-partisan
joint committees as follows:
Demobilization Of the army and navy.
Foreign trade and commerce.
Interstate transportation.
Domestic business.
Employers and employees relations
Natural resources of the nation.
Committees Not Discussed.
The. subject of committee assignments
IN the next Senate was not discussed
At tho conference. Those who have been
aspect and who are understood to OBJ
iect to Senator Penrose as head of the
finance Committee we're present and
gaye every indication of working in ,ac-
cord with the other Senators.
The retention of Senator Martin KY.
On the rolls OF the Senate was considered
and Thursday unanimous consent will
De asked for the reference of the ques-
Ion 70 the Committee on Privileges
and Elections.
Plans for selecting the committee
nairnen and for organizing the House
nave been made. calling for fair distribu-
ton OF both honors and responsibilities
Leaving the Speakership aside. 1t is
claimed to name the Committee on Com
mittees at a large conference OF Repub-
ilcan members representing every fac
tlon OF the party and every shade Of
;nought.
Merit Test for ChaLrmen.
The Committee on Committees will
hen apply the merit system TO COM
,nittee appointments Seniority on COM
nittees will not be the only test for
'halrmanship, II was promised to-day, IL
mother member of the committee on the
Republican side is better fitted for the
ask than the oldest member.
The Republicans realize, though, that
hey will have TO be extremely careful
% avoid centring control OF committees
u one section OF the country. This is
me of the strongest criticisms of the
resent Democratic organization, which.
following the practice of elevating the
ranking member OF a committee when
he chair is vacant, has given North
Carolina and Tennessee the control OF
light OF the powerful House committees.
The plan OF the Senate Republicans
. disregard the unwritten seniority rule
! acceptable TO the House leaders, II
VAS learned to-day. This It is felt
would eliminate the chief protest against
ne seniority rule.