Milford chronicle., 1924-11-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
By National Editorial Association
Special to Milford Chronicle


Congress Monday next. Those who successfully
defended their jobs at the elections are striving
for party honors from committees and others
who were defeated putting their affairs in
shape for their retirement from public life.
The most interesting spectacle is afforded in
the bartering among members of the House and
Senate for jobs important committees. Inas-
much as the real business of Congress is trans
acted in committee rooms, a legislators worth
is measured by his committee assignments. One
of the most powerful and hard pressed groups of
men in the national legislature is the Committee
on Committees, which has to do with assignment
of members to various committees.
There is no noticeable change on the part Of
returning congressman as to partisanship. 1t is
apparent that whatever vacancies exist at the
next session will be filled only when the leaders
are satisfied of the candidates fitness that means
as judged from party standards. Committee
work, it is said, was somewhat handicapped at
the recent sessions by the failure of committee
members to follow party policies 1t is not ex-
pected that much headway will be made on COM
mittee line-ups at the short session which be-
gins next week. The feeling exists that what
ever changes are necessary now will pave the
way for more drastic wedding out of the COM
mittees at the new Congress which convenes
next year.
The personality Of chairmen for standing COM
mittees is an absorbing topic in Washington.
There are two or three vacancies which must be |
filled in the expiring Congress. Formerly the |
craftsmanship fell to the lot of the man who had |
served his party longest on the committee Pro-
motion by seniority is a custom which has been
broken of late. In the Senate controversy be-
tween Senator La Toilette and his followers and
the Republican leaders resulted in the election
of Senator Ellison D. Smith, of South Carolina
as chairman of the Interstate Commerce Com
mittee. In the House few years ago Congress-
man Martin B. Madden, Republican of Illinois,
was made chairman of the all-impOrtant Com
mittee on Appropriations in recognition of his
unusual ability though he was out ranked from
The seniority standpoint. The chairman is al
ways a member Of the dominant party, with the
exception noted
The average person not familiar with the in
ricacies of law-making believe that laws are
actually passed or defeated during the debates
m the floor Of the Senate or House. The facts
ire that bill is seldom reported to the House
Without the consent of committee You may be
sure that committee members take a quiet poll
# the House and Senate and know the fate of
particular bills before reporting them out of
The technical part Of law-making is
handled by subcommittee usually made up
rom three to five members, including minority
Call has been issued for party caucuses to
meet Friday and Saturday of this week and the
arly part of next. Ordinarily the caucus is
conference for agreement on party program Of
ate the factional differences have made it of
elatively little Importance. The opinion prevails
hat party caucus will come into it's own again
S a result of the elections. The theory is advan
ed that only blind factionist would fail to note
he writing on the wall, so to speak, made by
be electorate few weeks ago. Interviews
18th Congressional leaders bring out the senti-
lent that there will be increasing evidences of
arty solidarity. The story is current that the
emocrats are already moving toward this end.
ccording to the opinions expressed in various
1arters the Democrats will turn their backs on
liances with so-called Republican malcOn-
nts It will be recalled that these alliances by
e affected legislative measures enacted at the
st session of the present Congress- The tax
II is given as an illustration of this work. Sen
or Thomas f. Bayard of Delaware, Democrat
leader, has stated that if his party is to go \
rward to success, it must unite party prin-
pies which would mean the disappearance of
ocs factions and personalities.
Many Democratic leaders feel that if their l
cord as a minority party in the next Congress
clear and unblemished, that their chances to
in control of the Senate and House in the 1926 ID
9ctions will be greatly enhanced Meanwhile,
agitation is growing in Republican circles to lf
roe, by sheer weight Of numbers, those bearing
party label to live up to specifications There
We been suggestions made that the little band II
malcontents which has caused so much trou-
for majority leaders should be "read out of lP
party" It is drastic suggestion which will
obably be greatly modified or dropped. II
In shipping circles, it is limited that President
olidge will recommend to Congress- the es- m
of a new Cabinet portfolio known as IL
le Secretary of the Marine" The idea, accord
to those acquainted with the administrations III
reliant Marine policies is to abolish The ship g
lg board through consolidation of all govern liz
mt marine agencies under a cabinet officer. q
me of those familiar with the subject say 10
It the idea has been considered by the Presi- "
1t and he may offer it at this session, or at n,
next Congress, when the power of the adj ITO
listration will be greater. 81
Persistent reports that Secretary of Commerce lk
rbert Hoover would retire from the Cabinet q
March 4, to accept one of the numerous flat NN