Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-08-15
EXTRA B ( ! / "A SESSION
IS IS PROBABLE !! R!
Legislative Session May Be-
come Necessary to Elect
~ Y Senator r.
I CONGRESS ( aAll'gll s. SLOW " TO ACT
Several Bills Drawn to Cover
the Tangle, But Their
Passage Is Doubtful
CONGRESS SLOW TO ACT

OLYMPIA, Aug. 14.-That there is
considerable doubt as to the proba.
bility Of action by congress making
1t possible for the state of Wash.
ington and other states similarly plac-
ed to elect United States senators by
direct vote of the people, in accord.
ahce with the recent amendment ito
the federal constitution, without first
enacting state measure covering the
point, is the opinion expressed by the
two senators and fve congressman
from; this state, ii reply to the letter
written them by Governor Ernest Lis.
ter asking a. to, the possibility Of
such congressional legislation.
Adequate Action improbable
Senator w. L. Jones, who sends a
copy Of bill which he introduced
last April designed to obviate the
difficulty created by the passage Of
the federal amendment, states that
he is almost convinced that it is be-
yond the power of congress to pass
legislation adequate to meet the sit.
uation. He believes that, even IL it
be found possible so to do, it will
not be until the next regular session
of congress. ''" '-'',''''-'' s''-~'
Senator Miles Poindexter, express
ing approval of the movement to
avoid special session Of the legisla-
ture, says he will introduce d bill
calculated to meet the situation with
the least possible opposition in con-
gress. ~ h1 a.
Congressman Albert Johnson prom.
ises his heartiest cooperation in the
move, but says frankly he is inclined
to believe that the house will not
favor special bill on this subject,
and that the state of Washington
may expect to see the legislature sit
in extra session"
Congressman ]. A. Falconer prom
ises to look after the matter to the
best of his ability, but makes no sug-
gestions as to the probable action
to be taken.
Would Avoid Confusion
Congressman ]. w. Bryan states
that he. too, has introduced bill
designed to obviate the difficulty, but
can offer no assurance that it will
be adopted by congress. He says
that he would be in favor of special
session to enact direct primary law
as means Of meeting the situation,
but that he wishes to avoid confu-
sion, and, "above all things" NOM
mating convention.
Congressman w. L. LaFollette says
he fayors the bill introduced by Sen.
ator Jones, but doubts the possibility
Of enacting it or any other meas.
ure.
Representative w. E. Humphries
expressed the same sentiment found
in the letters from the other Wash
ingtonians in congress.
Lister still Hopeful.
Governor Lister still feels that the
extra session is avoidable and is
hopeful and anxious that congress
will enact measure providing that
senators may be elected in the same
manner as representatives now are.
He believes that this would NOR
ally bind the senate to seat any sen
ator so elected, SO that, should the
candidates in Washington agree to
go before the people directly in 1914,
the winner would be assured his seat.
The governor says that this matter
Is the only one he sees that would
justify an extra session, and believes
this will be cared for yet in. some
legitimate and practical manner.