Evening star., 1934-09-23
SENATE VACANCIES;
MUST Be FILLED.
Interstate Commerce and
Commerce Committee
Chairmanships Open.

Selection of new chairmen for two
important Senate committees and the
filling of vacancies on several other
committees will be one Of the first
tasks confronting Senate leaders when
the next Congress meets.
The decision of Senator Dill, Demo-
crat of Washington, not to seek re-
election this year leaves the chair
manship of the Interstate Commerce
Committee open, and the defeat Of
Senator Stephens in his campaign for
denomination by the Democrats of
Mississippi means the Committee on
Commerce will have a new chairman
Seniority is the guiding rule in the
appointment of Senate committee
chairrnen. but in the case of each of
these two committees the Democratic
members nearest the top in point of
service already are chairmen Of other
committees If these ranking men,
berS decide to retain their present
chairmanships, tnen the Democrats
next in point of committee service
would be in line for the chairman
ships on Interstate Commerce and
Commerce.
Smith Is Senior Democrat.
On Interstate Commerce the rank
ing Democrat when Congress recon-
venes will be Senator Smith, Demo-
crat of South Carolina. He already
is chairman of the important Agricul-
tUre Committee and if he should elect
to remain in that post, the next man
in line on Interstate Commerce would
be Senator Wheeler. Democrat of
Montana. who is up for reelection
this year. Wheeler. in that event.
would have choice between becoming
chairman of Interstate Commerce or
retaining his present craftsmanship of
Indian Affairs. He also ranks next
to Smith on Agriculture.
Senators Wagner of New York and
Barkley of Kentucky rank next to
Wheeler among the Democratic men,
bers of the Interstate Commerce Com
mittee Wagner is at present chair
man Of Public Lands and Barkley is
chairman of the Library Committee
On the Commerce Committee the
DtlilOIL at 10 NIl4c IOL lCiNlINs
of Florida He is already chairman,
however, Of the important Banking
and Currency Committee. which has
been one of the most active commit
tees in Congress during the past two
years. Senator Fletcher had the
choice of either Banking and Cur
rency or Commerce when the Demo-
Gratis gained control of the Senate,
and he accepted the former commit
tee Next in line on Commerce IS
Senator Sheppard of Texas. If the
choice comes to him the chances are
he will prefer to remain in his present
craftsmanship Of Military Affairs, but
he indicated yesterday he is not max
ing an irrevocable decision at this
time.
Following Senators Fletcher and
Sheppard in point Of service on Com
merce are Senators Copeland of New
York and Bailey of North Carolina.
Copeland is chairman of Rules and
Bailey heads the Claims Committee.
Next in line on the Commerce Com
n1ittee is Senator Hattie w. Caraway
of Arkansas. the only woman men,
Der of the Senate. who at present is
chairman of the Committee on En-
rolled Bills.
Other Posts Vacated.
IT is probable there will be more
than two new committee charmen
to be named. because if the vacancies
on Commerce and Interstate Com
merce go to any of the members who
already have other ChairmanshlpS, 1t
would open the way for appointment
of new chairmen TO succeed them in
their present assignments. None of
these appointments will be considered,
however, until the Senate meets in
January.
In addition to filling chairmanships,
Senate leaders at that time also will
assign new Senators to committee
service. There are already number
of vacancies in committee member
ship, aside from any that may result
from the November elections.
The defeat of Senator Erickson,
Democrat. of Montana. for the nomi-
nation to complete an unexplred term.
leaves vacancies to be filled on f1Ve
Senate committees, on which he served
in the last session.
The voluntary retirement of Senator
Thompson, Democrat. of Nebraska,
who served temporarily in the last
session on a Governors appointment
and did not seek nomination, also
leaves vacancies to be filled on three
committees. including a place on the
Interstate Commerce Committee.