The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-07
HOUSE CONTROL
SHIFT TO BRING
MIGHT CHANGES
AT WASHINGTON

representative fnreshadows an up
heaval in national affairs, changes IL
power of the committee chairman
ships, and a situation confronting
President Wilson in the midst of hi'
administration. The situation also
is analogous to that faced by Presi.
dent Cleveland at the beginning OF
his first term.
Since, by ne system OF commit.
tee control which prevails in, the
house, all legislation and the virtual.
iy unlimited powers for investigal
ton of governmental affairs lie.
within the initiative and control OF
the majority the possibilities are
obvious. They will be increased L
the final returns for the senate as,
sure the Republicans control there
First comes the question Of ths
speakershfp, place which many
statesmen and politicians have de-
clared is second only to the presi-
dency in Importance. Representa-
tive Mann of Illinois, the Republican
leader, would on the basis OF his pc.
sition be the logical candidate Of the
majority, but that is complicated by
several factors one OF which has
beer Mr.. Mann's continued i'll health
There also are some fractional diff
ferenues to; be considered. Repre-
sentative Gillett of Massachusetts,
actually Mr. Mann's senior In point
Of service, has been acting RepubIf-
can leader, and is to be reckone6
with in the calculations for the
speakersl1ip. There also has been
some talk OF Representative Long
worth of Ohio. Colonel Roosevelt's
son-in law, as a candidate upon
whom the Republicans could unite
Democrat leadership
Next In Importance is the leader
ship Of the Democrats when they
become the minority party after
March next. AS chairman OF the
ways and means committee, Ktch-
in of North Caroline now ig. the
Democratic floor leader. He is ex-
peeted oJbe supplanted in both
places by Joseph w. Fordney OF
Michigan, one OF the old Republican
wheel horses, upon whom will fall
a very important part in carrying
out with the treasury department
the governments financial program
for the remainder Of the war, This
will present a, situation where a
Republican house, and probably
senate, will be dealing with a DEM
ocratic secretary, of the treasury on
Immense financial questions in which
they fundamentally may be in dis
agreement. At least two more
great liberty loans are to be provid-
ed for and no one can estimate the
need for further war taxation after
the end of the fiscal year which the
pending war revenue bill is framed
to cover.
Speaker Clark was minority lead
err before the Democrats came into
control. A question to be decided
is whether Mr.. Kitchin Is to step
down from that place in the new
congress to give way for Mr.. Clark
or whether the speaker will be
obliged to take places in the usual
run Of committee assignments.
There are in the house several
committees which have power to in
vestigate expenditures OF the exec
utiye departments: = IN control of
these committees which in times OF
peace are virtually Of no Importance
the field for investigation Of the
Democratic administration by Re-
publican house is thrown wide open
almost on the owe OF the next presi-
dental election.
Wilson To Avoid Session,
The Republicans OF course, do not
come into their position Of advant-
age until the meeting OF the new
congress, which will be the first Mon
day in December, 1919, unless Presi-
dent Wilson should call it in extra
ordinary session sooner. The pres
ent Democratic congress expires by
Limitation March 8, 1918. Leaders Of
both parties rather believe the Presi-
dent viii avoid an extra session If 1t
is possible. 1-s
Republican policies in the new con-
gress cannot be developed until the
complexion OF the senate is certain.
In reconstruction, fiscal and other
legislation, however, the RepUbli-
CANS are prepared to initiate policies
in the house, with a bearing upon the
presidential campaign Of 1920. Al
though somewhat dependent upon the
senate outcome, the house Republt-
cans are planning a definite construc-
tive program dealing with after the
war problems. They have pledged
themselves to vigorously prosecute
the war ITO it's conclusion.
After organizing the new house,
the Republicans also will be In con-
troll of the. elections supervision COM
rnittees, which will deal with sew
0rSll COflLSSIS SApSSLO0 4LOLA SSSISLs
days ba1loting.
with the seniority rule followed,
committee Craftsmanship changes
would include therefore:
Ways and means-Fordney Of Mich
igan, succeeding Kitchin Of North
Carolina.
chusetts, succeeding Sherry OF Ken
Foreign Porter of Pennsyl-
vania, succeeding Flood Of Virginia.
RuIes-Cambell Of Kansas, succeed
ing Pou of North Carolina.
Aertculture-Haugen of iowa. sue
ceedins Lever of South Carolina.
Banking and currency-Platt or
New York, succeeding Glass Of VIZ
This comes about through the de-
feat Of Hayes of California after IA
wears service, and defeat at primar-
les of Woods of Iowa. who outranked
PIatt.
s,, lmm5gPatiPen nrnstts of 4labama
Interstate commerce-Esch of Wis
consiIl. succeeding Sims of Tennessee.
Judiciary-Volstead Of Minnesota
succeeding. Webb OF North Tor cs aiotIgs
succeeding Maher of New York.
Merchant nnarine--Greene Of Mas
sachusetts, succeeding Alexander OF
Missouri. c,.,.e.,
Military a1alrS-hdnt oL SaA55 ~ -
MIA, who piloted the selective DRAFT
and other administration army bills,
succeeded Dent of Alabama.
Mines Garland Of Pennsytvanla'
succeeding Foster of Illinois
Naval affairs-Butler of Pennsylvao-
MIA. q @big navy" champion, succeed-
ing Padgett of Tennessee.
Postoffice- Steenerson of Minnesota
succeeding Moon of Tennessee 5St.
Waterpower-Esch of Wisconsin,
succeeding Sims of Tennessee.
Public 1ands-Sinott of oregon,
succeedinpr Ferris of Oklahoma.
Woman suffrage Of Wy
oming, succeeding Baker OF CallLot-
Rivers and harbors-Kennedy Of
Iowa, succeeding Smill of North caro-