The Washington herald., 1912-03-13
FIGHT
SWINGS TO HOUSE
Norris Introduces Bill for
District to Force Hands of
Regular Republicans.
ASKS FOR EARLY ACTION
Thinks Vote Will Cause Adoption
by senate-Seeks Speedy Re-
port from Committee.
ASKS FOR EARLY ACTION

Whether or not the District Of Colum-
| bia gets the right to hold Presidential
preference primaries this year, the MEM
hers of Congress will, before the session
closes, be forced to declare themselves
for or against the plan II the bill intro
duced yesterday in the House by Repre-
sentative Norris, OF Nebraska, goes
| through.
A poll of those members of the Dis
trict Committee who could be reached
yesterday indicated that the Norris bill
will be favorably reported and will 60
to the House for consideration. This bill
is the one introduced in the upper cham
Der by Senator Bristow and defeated in
the Senate District Committee after a
bitter fight by vote OF 6 to l.
To Vote on April 2.
The measure provides that there be
held in the District on April a primary
nominating election. The District Com
missioners are authorized to divide tie
city into voting precincts and to superin-
tend the election.
An expression by the House on the sub
ject OF Presidential preference primary
laws is sought in the measure introduced
by Represe ntative Norris, who favors
the nomination of Theodore Roosevelt as
the Republican Presidential candidate.
Practically all the House progressives.
including Roosevelt and La Toilette men,
will throw their support to the Norris
bill.
While the bill itself applies only to this
city, progressives believe that II is of the
highest Importance. in view OF the fact
that Messrs. Roosevelt and La Toilette
approve the principle involved. TO secure
an expression on the subject from the
House of Representatives.
Present indications are that the Bris-
tow bill will fail in the Senate II It Is
ever brought to a vote in that body. The
action of the Senate District Committee.
in the opinion of progressives. fore
shadows the defeat OF the Bristow bill by
the Senate.
The progresives are Of the opinion that
II the House is given an opportunity It
will go on record in favor Of Presidential
preference primary laws The progress
sives believe that a majority OF the Dem
ocrats, whatever their convictions on the
subject. would hesitate to vote against
the idea of Presidential primaries on the
eve of a national election.
VIII Force MckInIcy's Hand.
On the other hand. the progressives
contend that few Republicans would vote
against the measure. In this connection
IL Is pointed out that Representative
Mckinley, OF Illinois, director OF the
Taft bureau. may soon have an oppor-
tunity TO indicate where he stands per-
sonally on the question of popular Presi-
Dental primaries.
II is the understanding that the fight
to secure an expression on Presidential
primaries was transferred to the House
on the advice OF Senator Dixon, the
Roosevelt manager. Mr.. Norris will make
an effort to secure an early hearing on
his bill before the District Committee
He would prefer a favorable report on
the measure, of course, but will insist
that the measure shall be reported one
way or another in order that the House
may be given an opportunity to pass
on IT.
Mr. Norris and his feIIow-progressives
are determined that regulars, whether
Republicans or Democrats. shall be |
forced to show their hands on this prop
osition. |
Representative johnson, Of Kentucky,
is chairman of the tiouse Committee on
the District of Columbia. He is a regu- |
lar. and may use his influence with the |
to pigeOn-hole the bill. Repre- |
Prouty. OF Iowa, and Carey, |
Of Wisconsin, are the only progressives |
on the District Committee. They will |
Mr.. Norris in the committee |
Representatives Lobeck OF Nebraska,
Adair of Indiana, Konig Of Maryland. |
Aiken of South Carolina, and Hamin Of /
New Jersey, Democrats; Representative |
George, of New York, Independent, and |
Berger. of Wisconsin. |
are also said to be friendly to
the bill.
Norris Foresees Victory.
Discussing his bill, Mr.. Norris said:
Il believe that the popular branch of
Congress, more closely in touch with the
great bulk OF the people, should have an
to express itself regarding
he Presidential primary issue. We are
On the verge of a Presidential election,
and for that reason If no other the House
should go on record on this proposition.
Il believe that an overwhelming ma
iority of the members OF the House would
favor the proposition IL advanced on the
ioor, and 1 intend to exert every effort
10 force a vote upon the bill.
Even IL the Senate fails to act on the
measure, as introduced by Senator Bris-
ow, I believe that they might respond
% the popular will IL expressed through
he House"