The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-02-05
LIBERALIZING THE RULES.

Despite the witty denals of Representative Shell, Republican, Chairman of the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives, it is pretty generally realized that the business of the House is in the hands of three members-himself Speaker Long, worth and Floor Leader John Q. Tilson It is no defense for MT Shell to say, he does that Demo- cratic efforts liberalization is ill-tmed be- cause the Democratic side of the House is under the thumb of Minority Leader John N. Garner.
 In the old days of Reed and later Uncle Joe Cannon the Speaker of the House absolute in his authority Finally the present plan was evolved after George w Norris, then young Representa- tive from Nebraska and nsurgent leader in the Senate, led a revolt against Car" Cannon which deprived the Speaker of his power to name all committees
 Under the present rules which were framed by Speaker Frederick H Gillettee Senator from Massachusetts, and enforced inflexbly since 1925 by MT Longworth most legislation of importance can reach an early vote in the House on.y through n special rule of the powerful Rules Committee It is, of course dominated by Administration Republicans with Shell Chairman. He, Longworth and Til son undoubtedly have the power to delay a vote on any measure that the Administration rejects, since it requires petition signed by 218 members, 50 per cent of the whole membership, to get out to the floor any measure that has been pigeonhoed by any House committee. And if a majority succeeds in forcing a measure out, it can be con sidered only day in each week and action on it may be defeated by filibuster-f those opposed to vote obtain recognition from the Speaker which is not a difficult matter if the presiding officer is in sympathy with them.
 Movement to liberalize the rules was recently launched by Representative Crisp, Georgia Demo- crat, and leading parliamentary expert of that party He declared he proposed to wage war for 1ihpra1 1i1ati Of tho three changes from existing rules which he proposes possible to force bills out of committees upon oeti- tions signed by 100 members providing, of course the committee was delaying action Another would require public hearing on any measure if major ity of the members of the committee asked for it. Now this is subject to the will of the chairman MT. Crisp has not made public his third proposal
 MT Shells statement this week was the pre- Jude to the actual battle over the rules Western Republicans, who are in sympathy with the Demo- cratic liberzaton movement have openly declared they will oppose the reelection of MT Longworth as Speaker unless the party caucus agrees to make some concessions which will deprive the riumvirate of it's autocratic powers His disclaimer of such powers is probably designed to pave the way for plans to steamroller the organizations program through the coming caucus to be held the latter part of this month
 The outcome of the battle of rules will be watched with interest Its outcome is probably more important than the election several Speak CTS in as many terms of Congress Speakers have n habit of passing from office frequently but rules last many years