Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-01-09
DEMOCRATS
DEMOCRATS
Fight Delays Caucus Choices
For Ways, Means Posts
Continued From Page Al

COntlnued FROM Rage Al
Democratic Study Group, an
organization of more than 100
House Democratic liberals, said
after a DSG meeting late yes
terday that he knew of no one
who would object to making all
nominations at the same eau
Gus. Most DSG members had
favored Representative Boiling
OF Missouri for majority
leader. He withdrew last
Wednesday when he found he
could count on only about 80
OF the present 255 Democtatic
votes in the caucus.
No move will be made in
today'S caucus for establish
ment OF a steering policy COM
mittee. DSG members decided
yesterday to discuss the mat
ter further at another meeting
Thursday. They indicated they
have some assurance that Mr..
Mccormack is willing to estab-
liSh a steering committee some
what along the lines they have
urged.
They repeatedly have the nee
essary so signatures on petit
ton to bring the matter be-
fore a Democratic caucus but
probably will not do so if salts
fled by Mr.. Mccormack.
Sources close to the pro-
Spective Speaker said today he
was willing to set up a steering
committee somewhat similar to
a Democratic House group es-
tablished in 1888 but which
gradually faded away during
the long tenure of the late
Speaker Rayburn.
That committee consisted of
the Speaker, Majority Leader,
Whip, Democratic caucus chair
man and the chairmen of the
Rules. Appropriation and Ways
and Means Committee as ex
officio members, and one House
Democrat from each of Is zones
That steering committee elected
its own officers and the Is
members were chosen by the
State delegations within the Is
zones.
There was some doubt in
Democratic circles today that
all DSG members would favor
a committee of that kind. A
few said yesterday that at the |
Thursday meeting they would
urge strong policy committee
with six ex officio members
and Is from various parts of
the country.
Their proposal would have
the policy committee chairman
and other officers elected by
the House Democratic caucus.
Against Policy Group
Mr.. Mccormack, according to
authoritative sources, would not
agree to creation of a policy
committee but apparently is
ready to offer some concessions
to DSG members in creating
a steering committee.
While some DSG members
voiced optimism that a salts
factory compromise would be
worked out, avoiding a serious
party fight, they cautioned COL
leagues against undue optimi-
sim. They cited the possibility
that a steering committee or
policy committee, no matter
how strong on paper, conceiv-
ably could be stacked" with
members allied with the leader
ship.
In advance Of the House Re-
publican caucus tomorrow, Mr..
Halleck, Republican National
Chairman William E. Miller
and several other G.. o. P.
leaders conferred yesterday on
matters to be submitted to the
caucus or be discussed with
Senate Republican leaders.
They announced they favored
the idea Of issuing a Repub-
lican Statement of principles
and positions" on legislative
issues confronting the return
ing Congress. Mr.. Miller said
this statement probably will be
issued this month after con-
sultation with Senate Repub-
lican leaders.