The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-01-31

next congress anc to make full organI-
zatfea arrangements before the pres
ent congress dies.
A part of the Republican majority
In the present house has declined at
times to follow the majority leadership. |
Sharp trouble has been avoided on sew
eral occasions by means of compro-
misses, but In the main the majority
of the majority has had It's way be-
cause the Republican membership has
been so great that the party will gener-
ally could be enforced.
In the next house things are likely to
be different. The Republican majority
has been cut down to a scant score of
votes. Judicious leadership will be
necessary TO keep the party in line
for administration measures and for
such other measures as the Republic
an leadership believes should be Civ
EN- consideration. The party leaders
realize that many of the new members
of congress are men whose views are
not entirely those of the still dominant
faction In the party. the conservatives
and the semi-conseryatives. The fact
that the new thought in Republicanism
will be more largely represented in
the next house is giving the leaders
concern, but they seemingly ex-
pect to be able to frame a program
| which will satisfy all the party ele-
ments.
Only Thirty New G. o. p. Men.
The Democrats made great inroads
in the house membership at the last
| election. On the Republican side there
will be only about 30 new members,
men who never have served in con-
gress. The rest of the Republican
membership will be made up of those
who secured reelection in November.
So it is that when the Republican
members of the new congress assemble
in Washington some time nex month
for the purpose of conferences and
program fixing, there will be present
only about 80 men who are not entire
ly familiar with previous methods of
procedure.
The so-called progressive element in
the Republican party in the house
knows definitely just what it would
like to have done in the way of reor-
ganization for party work. These
men. being already o N the spot and
holding full knowledge of the present
and past procedure, probably will
frame In their own behalf some kind
of a program TO which they will ask
the newly elected ones of their own
fractional faith to give their adher-
ence. .
Already it is said the conservatives
and the non-conservatives have been
comforting together for the purpose of
fixing on a program which will he ac-
ceptable to the entire Republican
membership in the next house. The
Republican leadership almost unques-
tionably will continue in conservative.
or at least semi-conservative. hands.
Representative Mondell of Wyoming.
the present floor leader, will not be a
member of the next house. There are
two outstanding candidates for the
succession to floor leadership. NicIlo-
las Longworth of Ohio and William !.
Graham of Illinois. 1t is yet a little
early to predict which one will be sue
cessfui in the party caucus.
Apportioning the Committees.
Under the present rule of things in
congress the memberships in the vari-
Gus committees are apportioned IN
party caucuses and not by the speaker
of the house. as was the case once
upon a time. This means that when
the new Republican members arrive
and enter into conference with the re-
elected Republicans a~committee men,
bership program must be sanctioned.
New members CANNOT hope for high
committee ~preferment, but nearly
every member who comes to Washing
ton has his own private wish in the
matter of q committee upon which he
is to serve. The chances are that the
wishes of the newcomers will be met
as fully as possible.
There have been cases, however,
where, with only one vacancy on a
certain committee, there have been as
many as six or eight applicants for the
place. When this has happened the
party caucus, Democrat or Republican.
has sometimes had considerable trou-
bic in ironing out differences and in
soothing the injured feelings of the
new members who did not get what
they wanted. The Republicans are &C.
counted as wise because they are de-
termined TO get as many Of their trou-'
bles as possible Strengthened out be-
fore the next congress comes into be
ing.