The Indianapolis times., 1929-11-28
WATSON MAY
LAND Senate
FINANCE POST
Indiana Senator Is in Line
If Smoot Decides to
Make Change.
CHAIRMAN SHAKEUP DUE
Death of Warren to Bring
Numerous Shifts on
Committees.

BH ScrtDDs-HoWard Newspaper Alliance
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28.-A
complete rearrangement of senate
committee chairmanships probably
will result from the death of SEN
ator Francis E. Warren.
Warren for years had been chair
man of the appropriations commit
tee, one of the most important in
congress. First in line as a sue
cessor is Reed Smoot, chairman Of
the finance committee. 1t is doubt
full whether he will resign the
finance Craftsmanship to handle ap-
preparations, but it is possible, with
the tariff bill out of the way, that he
will do so.
IF Smoot should make this change
then a new head would have to be
selected for the important finance
committee. and James E. Watson,
Republican floor leader, ranks next
in line for the place. Failing health
caused Watson to leave the senate
several weeks ago for rest in Flori-
da, and there have been rumors
bIldL Ht NOuiO AlO1 ACdoouAAlC SAiS
leadership on the floor when re-
turns.
Watson May Take Post
He might abandon that post to
head the finance committee. Such
move would bring to head various
movements looking to selection of
new floor leader.
It Watson does not take the
finance Craftsmanship, it might fall
to David A. Reed, who would have
to relinquish his post as head Of the
military affairs committee to take it.
If Smoot elects to remain where
he is, the next in line for chairman
ship Of appropriations is Wesley
Jones of Washington. Jones at
present is head of the commerce
committee, body most important
to his state, especially this year
when a rivers and harbors bill is to
be written.
He also has been failing in health
since a recent long illness, but has
continued to act as assistant floor
leader.
Hale Next in Line
Frederick Hale of Maine, at pres
ent chairman of naval affairs, ranks
next and after him Lawrence G.
PhippS of Colorado is a possibility.
If Jones relinquishes the COM
merce craftsmanship, it falls to Sen
ator McNary of Oregon, who prob
ably would prefer to keep his agri-
culture Craftsmanship, or to Hiram
w. johnson of California, who would
undoubtedly resign the chairman
manship of immigration to accept it.
KeyeS of New Hampshire would in
that case succeed to the immigra-
ton committee.
In addition to this situation, there
are a number of important commit
tee memberships to be filled. ReSig-
nation of Edge from the senate has
left vacancies on the foreign rela-
tions, finance, banking and currency,
privileges and elections and inter-
oceanic canals committees.
Burton T osts Open
Warren was a member. also, of
m tary affairs, and public build
ine and grounds Burton of Ohio,
who died a few weeks ago, was a
member of civil service, commerce,
education and labor. and judiciary.
All senator's will be asked by the
committees to indicate whatever
changes in assignment they desire.
During the week the Shufling about
will take place. so that new chair
men may begin the work OF the
regular session as soon as congress
reconveneS Dec. 2.
Senator Watson returned to
Washington Wednesday night, much
refreshed from his vacation in the
south.
He said he was feeling fine" and
was home for Thanksgiving dinner.
He had the appearance Of having
regained his vigor by the rest cure
route.