The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-05
Kenyon Proposes Reso-
luton to Provide for
Open Sessions.
TEN UNITE TO LIFT
BAN ON PUBLICITY
Declare Themselves Without
Fear of Being Unseated for
Violating Oath of Office.
Definite Action Is Result
of Trouble Brewing
for Many Months.

Washington. April open war was
declared in tho United States Senate
to-day against tho time-honored rule
OF secrecy relating to proceedings In
executive sessions
Following the defiance expressed by
several Senator'S In closed session on
Friday against suppressing debate on
the confirmation Of Winthrop NJ Dan
iels. of New Jersey, as member of
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
actual hostilitieH began when Senator
Kenyon. of Iowa. after conference
with those Of his colleagues who arc
leading In the tight to lift tho ban on
publicity, introduced resolution TO
provide for open sessions on all mat
ters except treaties, unless otherwise
directed by unanimous consent OF the
Senate.
The resolution proposing TO amend
the rules. and which was referred TO
the Committee on RuleS reads:
Resolved. That II Ia the judgment
OF the Senate that all executive ses-
sions shall hereafter be open 10 the
public except when treaties are con-
sidered, or when the Senate by unnni-
nous consent orders otherwise; and the
Committee on Rules Is directed to pro-
pare such amendments to the present
rules, or to prepare new rules. or both,
as may be necessary to carry out tho
terms of this resolution. and present
the Same to tho Senate for action
thereon"
Ten Senators in Support.
IL was submitted with the backing OF
Senator'S La Toilette, Cummina Gron-
ma Borah. Clapp. Jones. Bristow. Nor
ris and PoindeXter. who PROPOSE as
they gave notice on Friday, to discuss
freely executive session debates on the
qualification of nominees for public of
ice whenever they feel that tho public
should be Informed regarding them.
Ihese Senators were united to-day In
the gantisecrecy campaign, and all de-
clare themselves without fear of any
attempt being made TO unaeat them
on grounds that they are violating the
oath of office
Even Senator'S who adhere to tho
most strict Interpretation of the Sen.
ate rules, admitted that the Senate
could not punish members who disclose
Information relating to presidential
appointments. agreeing that observ.
ance or secrecy was a matter of an
peaiing TO the individual conscience"
Administration leaders and Repub-
mean Senators who have long cher
isned the dignity of Senate procedure.
expressed the view to-day that no ec-
ton would be taken ut this session OF
congress ut least II Senator's wish to
mako public debates concerning presi
Genital nominees. It was stated. thev
YOU'D be priviles ed to do SO without
endangerinS their seats
brewing for Many Months.
trouble has been brewing for many
months over executive session secrecy
ana an upheaval was threatened re-
Gently during debate on tho general
arbitration treaty with Great Britain
In that debate Senators Root and
CEorman engaged In a wordy contro-
'ersy over the purposes Of the Car
negle endowment for International
PEACE What the Senators said on
.his point was widely published. and
IN a subsequent executive session
resolution was introduced BY Senator
nern' the majority leader, directing an
INJURY by the Foreign Relations Com
,ihttce INTO the manner In which IN
formation regarding secret proceed.
.hgs are made public. It was referred
10 the Rules Committee, where IL sinc.
taken. oeeh
Ever since that resolution was sinh
mitted there has been a sunnressed
undercurrent Of feeling against secret
proceedings. Confirmation of NIr Dan
ieis was followed day by the revela-
ton that Mr. Daniels asked President
Wilson to withdraw his name and thus
stop the contest, which he believed TO
be embarrassing the President, and
that Mr.. Wilson refused
Tho sharp contest was regarded by
officials RS of Importance in revealing
The attitude OF Senators toward the
physical valuation OF railroads