The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-19
PRESS ON SENIORITY RULE

especially political habit Nevertheless, it can and has been done. There Is now an attempt to be made to do it again, this time to abolish the seniority rule in Congress as applied to committee chairmanships. There is many senator or representative whose rank in point of service brings him chair manship and yet whose age, illness or lack of capacity units him for the position Sometimes also the rule operates to central ize power in an objectionable manner. For example, under the seniority rule, in the next House of Representatives, Pennsyl- vania will have seven chairmanships, and Iowa four, while Ohio and Illinois, with almost equal representation will have abou. one each. These chairmanships are the most important political strongholds in legsla- tive circles. Naturally, it is desirable that they be given to those best fitted to bear their responsibilities.
 Of course, there is the tendency among some to advocate the change for the polti- cal benefit they expect to derive from 1t. For example, Senator Mccormick, who leads in the movement against the rule, says in part, that some are disqualified because Of grave differences of opinion with the ma jority of their republican associates" It is the party the senator has in mind per haps with some reason, as party can do nothing without unity, or at least the upper hand. In this regard the New York Times says: "The last sentence (the one just quoted) explains the real trouble. It is one which mechanical change in the selection of chairmen or committees could remove. There is small group of virtually inde- pendent senators, not agreeing among them- selves in all points, but more progressive or radical than the majority. What is to be done with these men7 -. Are they to be set aside if and when the seniority rule puts them at the top? It is to be presumed that they are satisfied with the rule which works in their favor as 1t does in that of all the other veterans" The Times believes that "not by any device can you lead men who refuse to be led. Whatever friction Is felt under the seniority rule would probs ably be increased. Sehators whose superi- ority is not so evident to the majority as to themselves, would be disappointed and sulk. Chairmanships might easily be at- tained by compromise and deals and medi- ocrity get the better of distinction and old experience. Our legislative program will be enacted when our senators agree instead of fighting like cats and dogs"
 Of Senator McCormick's suggestion of abatement of the seniority rule and the sub- stitution of steering committee, the Philadelphia Public Ledger lightly says ''This is another sign of the times and an- of hoe nf o1,,t; of the west, for these are revolutionary sug- genstions in Senate procedure The Ledger believes that "as the sixty-seventh Congress passes into history and the sixty-eighth Con- gress takes hold, the chances are very good that something will happen. The Mo Cormick warning is the voice of the young men to the tiring older men and at the same time bid for progressive control of the Senate and of the republican party through the Senate"
 The very republican New York Tribune thinks that Senator Mccormick chose a livery opportune moment for suggesting the abandonment of seniority for selection in the appointment of chairmen. An unusual mortality list on the side of the party in power has made many vacancies and would greatly facilitate new deal next year in chairmanships and other choice places" As further reason for the opportuneness of Senator McCormick's suggestion the Tribune adds: Republican Senate leadership was bad last season. There was too much Nc Cumberism. Yet Mir. McCumber was not even the titular leader. It might also be said that there was too much jockeying by groups for tariff advantages or electioneer- ing purposes, more than a majority of the Senate participating in it. A mere shift of leaders and jumping new men over seniors to the heads of majority committees would not change all this. What the majority re- quires is not only new leadership, but new spirit and new outlook" In all of which it may be observed that the Tribune has seen the light.
 There are many facets to the proposal, one of which is pointed out by the Arkansas Gazette as follows: "The historic fact IS that certain republicans did not wake up to the consequences of the seniority rule until they realized for one thing, that the radical LaFollette stood next to Senator Shoot Tn the line of senators eligible for the chair nanship of the important and powerful ri- nance committee, and it has been said that Shoot may leave the Senate to become head of the Mormon church." That is in- deed cause for republican concern.
 The New York World thinks that Senator McCormick's Arguments against the semi. ority rule are all sound, but it is safe so say that there will De no change when Con