The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-05-14
Consideration of Appoint
rnent of w. ]. Harris Of
Georgia as Director of the
Census Causes G. O. P.
Members to Begin War
Which Lasts for Hours
ROLLCALLS ARE
FORCED BY MINORITY
Opposition Serves Notice
That Filibusters Will Be
Continued Until July /,
When Durand, Incumbent
of Office, Will Quit, Ac-
cording to Announcement

WASHINGTON. May 1s.-senate re-
publicans began their first big fight on
President Wilson's nominations to-
night, when the appointment of w. J.
Harris of Georgia as director of the
census. succeeding f. Dana Durand
was taken up in executive session. For
almost five hours the senate played a,
cross purposes on the Harris nomina-
ton without ever entering into a dis
cussion of the merits of the case.
The republicans forced rollcall af-
and in support Of tactics which the
democrats termed dilatory. Motions
morrow, until Friday and until next
week. were put and defeated, and
finally. when the the membership on
both sides had dwindled away to al
most nothing, adjournment was taken
until tomorrow at noon with the .Har-
ris nomination still just where 1t was
when fhe doors were closed shortly
before o'clock
NOTICE SERVED ny G. o. r.
Republican leaders have served no.
tice that they expect to keep up the
fight against the confirmation of Har-
ris until July 1 at least. when Mr..
Durand has announced his intention to
quit. Under the senate rules. there is
no question of their ability to filibuster
to their hearts content. and If they are
willing to go into long executive ses-
sions day after day, they can prevent
confrmatio as long as their talking
powers last
In the debate tonight an unsuccess-
famous Reed rule by which members
present In the chamber but not voting.
were counted In an attempt to dis
close a quorum. This innovation
brought forth more speeches and. be-
fore the session ended. most of the
democrats and large part OF the re-
publicans had spoken. although none
touched upon the nomination itself.
"BACK TO BABYLON,
A minority report against Harris
was filed by Senator Townsend and
Senators La Toilette and Cummins
also of the census committee. Senator
Burton and other republicans were in
terested in the case. Senator Burton
declared after the debate had pro-
ceeded for several hours that he was
willing to review the history Of CEN
sus from the present day to the time
of Babylon before he would see Har-
ris confirmed. Mr.. Burton was strong
ly of the opinion that Mr.. Durand
should have been allowed to serve out
his term.
The republican fight centers largely
on the contention that Offices requir-
ing technical knowledge or scientific
attainments should not be given as
political rewards, but that qualifica-
tion and experience should be the only
yard stick.
NO CHARGES MADE
While no charges have been made
against MT. ftdfrlS, the republicans
claimed that he was not so well quail
fed by experience at least, to hold
office as was Mr.. Durand Mr. Harris
was chairman of the democratic state
executive committee of Georgia in the
last campaign and is known as an orig
inal Wilson man. His appointment was
one of the early ones to important
offices sent in by President Wilson
Republicans on the census committee
served notice almost Immediately after
the appointment that they expected to
fight his confirmation. Efforts were
made by democrats who wished to
smooth out the difficulties to have Mr..
Durand retained in Office until July 1,
but at meeting of the committee 10
days ago, the nomination was ordered
reported by majority vote, Senator
Townsend being the only republican
present voting against it, and throw
ing down the gage of battle for the
minority side