South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-21
OPPOSITION TO
SENIORITY RULE
NOW DEVELOPS
Appointment of New Chair
man of Appropriations
Committee Cause.

WASHINGTON. July 2o.-opposi-
fion recently developed TO follow the
seniority rule in the selection OF a
new chairman ~ the house appro-
priatons committee. as successor 20
Rep. James W Good. Iowa. who re-
signed his seat in congress. is caus-
ing the republican leaders ri the
house no little amount Of concern.
&c was learned authoritatively today.
Theodore r. Burton OF Ohio is men
tioned for the vacancy. While the
majority leaders are sailing in de-
Gliding this controversy. and saying
that there Is no need Of haste be-
cause the Appropriated estimates
will not come in until next fall.
friends Of Rep. Charles r. Davis
Minnesota. the ranking senior mem
her Of the committee, express a con
trary view.
Mr. Goods successor. they say.
should be selected at once. so that
the committee can cooperate i'm
mediately with Charles c. Dawes.
federal budget director. and Con-
trollsr Gen. McCarl. in developing an
efficient and economic fiscal proceed
ure IN the final analysis. they point
lt. 10 is congress that must determ-
fne the fiscal system. and a lot OF
valuable time may be saved begin
ming the work in coordination with
Director Dawes now.
Rep. Davis has been member OF
congress- for 10 consecutive terms.
and a member Of the appropriations
committee for half that period, or
10 years. The principal contender,
within the committee for the chair
manship. Is Rep. Martin 3. Madden.
illinois. who also has been mem
Der Of congress for 10 terms, al
though not consecutive.
Others Mentioned for Place.
Others mentioned for the place in
event the seniority rule is discarded
and the chairman is TO be selected
from the house at large are Rep.
Theodore Burton. Ohio; Joseph
Walsh. Massachusetts,: and Patrick
Kelly. Michigan. In urging Mr. Bur
tons selection, certain members point
out that his Is years Of service in
the house. which ne left when at the
height OF popularity and power. and
the following six years that he spent
n the senate as the immediate
predecessor OF Mr. Harding, would
make his selection meet with general
approval throughout the country
But the fact that Mr. Burton is from
Ohio. which has been literally recog-
nized by the administration is not
going TO help his chances in event
ne becomes a candidate. In view Of
the fact that the presiding officers Of
both the senate and the house are
from Massachusetts,. it is expected
that the proposal to make Rep.
Walsh Of that state, chairman Of the
appropriations committee, would
meet with the same protest as is.
probable ie the case Of Mr.. Burton.
At any event. IL is not to be denied
that a large number Of the members
Of congress are convinced that both
Ohio and Massachusetts, already have
more than their share Of the high
places in the government.
Unlike Mr. Burton and Mr. Walsh.
Rep. Kelly, OF Michigan, already is
a member of the appropriations
committee and this fact undoubtedly
would be in his favor. Mr.. Kelly is
relatively young member of the
house. having served five consecutive
terms. but he demonstrated ability,
in the opinion Of his colleagues. in
the way he handled the naval ap-
preparation bill. despite lntagonistic
Influences. While Mr.. Kelly has the
support Of some prominent repub-
lican leaders. it is also pointed out
that he would likely have opposition
within his own state delegation. be
cause Rep. L. Q. Cramton. also Of
Michigan, outranks him in seniority
as a member Of the appropriations
committee.
! Notwithstanding numerous sug-
>postfons favorable TO Mr. Burton, Mr.
Walsh and Mr. Kelly. it appears from
canvass OF the house membership
today that the real ight for the chair
manship OF the appropriations com
mittee. II there is 10 be a fight. will
be between Mr. Davis and Mr.. Mad
den.
Oppose Old Rule.
The opposition 90 following the
seniority rule i'm the selection of the
appropriations chairman. as IS doAe
i'm all the other major committees. is
based largely on the fact that this
rule has not operated uniformly in
the past as far as the appropriations
committee IS concerned. More often
than otherwise. 10 is pointed out
when vacancies have occurred in the
past. II has not been the ranking
senior member who was promoted 10
tho craftsmanship. Frequently
member far down i'm the LIST in point
al service. has been elevated to the
craftsmanship. and then again,
: prominent member of the house. who
was not q member OF the committee
at an has been drafted 90 the chair
manship Furthermore. those who
oppose Mr. Davis contend that it.
ne-cr was Intended that The seniority