Evening star., 1923-11-03
BY WILL p, KENNEDY.


The most important job in the next
Congress. at least from a party or
ganization standpoinr is going beg
ging.
This seems to have been entirely
overlooked. in spite of the fact that
political dopesters have for months
been busy scheming different ways in
which the conflicting factions in the
next Congress may, or might, recon-
cile their differences or come to some
agreement.
The Craftsmanship of the House COM
mittee on committees is such an i'm
portant post that the late Representa-
tive James r. Mann the best-informed
man on legislation and legislative
procedure and party policy in the
House in many a day. surrendered his
chances for party leadership on the
floor and for the speakership to take
sight to Mann as chairman of the
committee on committees.
In the next House, with ten or
twelve vacancies to be flled on the
appropriations committee, including
at least four chairmanships of sub
committees, which will entirely upset
the existing committee organization.
and when the democrats will demand
larger representation on all commit
tees, and especially when the ma
jority Is small and the balance of
power is held by a recalcitrant group,
this job grows in Importance.
Acceptance n Sacrifice.
The Craftsmanship of this committee
must go not only to a veteran mem
Der of recognized ability. but to one
who is willing to give up all other
committees and devote his time ex-
clusively to this party management
within the House.
All other problems and possible
combinations with regard to reor-
ganization of the House are sur
rounded by so much speculation, so
many clashing bloc interests, SO many
personal politics, intrigues and SO
many "ifs" that the sagacious ones
on the inside of party politics view
this one job as of prime Importance
just as the late Representative
Mann viewed it.
One of the "ifs" which have recently
been vexing the political dopesters
is: 'If' Representative Frederick H.
Gillett, Speaker in the last Congress.
is named as ambassador to eRome as
successor to Richard Washburn Child.
Representative Martin B. Madden of
illinois, now chairman of the appro-
priations committee. will become
Speaker; Representative John @. TIL
son of Connecticut may become party
leader on the floor; Representative
Daniel r. Anthony of Kansas will
probably succeed Madden as chair
man of the appropriations commit
tee, etc.
Would Hold to Gavel.
Speaker Gillett is in Europe, but.
as matter of fact. as far as those
within the closest circles of party
council know, Gillett plans to hold
on as Speaker, and If he does there
is no combination that can beat him.
Those who know the party plans
best, and this comprehends adjust
not be overcome, are convinced that
this is nearer what will happen:
Gillett continue as Speaker, Repre-
sentative Nicholas Longworth of
Ohio probably will be floor leader
and Representative Madden continue
committee. It now looks as If Rep
resentative William ]. Graham of IL
linois will not even be a candidate
for floor leader. Representative Til
son, while a very able man and pos
sibiy a future Speaker: cannot hope
speakership in the incoming Con-
gress because It would mean too
much New England"
It has been thought among the
knowing ones that Representative
Madden would assume the duties OF
chairman of the committee on COM
mittees, succeeding his veteran col
league, Mann. Madden's own strong
desire is to hold on as chairman of
the appropriations committee. He has
given much thought to the efficient
organization Of thes committee and
systematizing this very important job
of spending the peoples money right.
The task of organizing the new ap-
nropriations committee will not be a
small or easy one, and Mr.. Madden
has some other changes contemplated.
So Representative Madden's inten-
tion is to remain as chairman. How
ever, his health recently had a. severe
shock and he must conserve his vi
tality. So he plans to delegate much
of the work to the chairmen of sub
committees.
His health will not permit Mr.. Mad
den to assume the additional duties Of
chairman of the committee on com
mittees. Who will get that post has
not yet been discussed very widely
in party conclaves.
Tilson of Connecticut would be an
able man, but he will scarcely want
to give up his position on the ways
and means committee and he may be
Communicated for the appropriations
committee.
Representative Graham of Illinois
may be induced to take on this work,
instead Of running for fiocr leader
against Longworth, but he ID special
ly- interested in the work Of the COM