Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-19
CORRECT, BUT UNIMPORTANT

CORRECT, BUT UNIMPORTAM
1t may be taken TOR granted that in his citation of
precedent with reference to the relation between the
president on the one hand and the senate and its COM
mittees on the other, Senator Lodge is entirely correct
Usually the senator from Massachusetts Is correct on
such matters, for there are few men better informed
than he on the historical aspects of legislation. 1t has
not been considered proper, 1t appears, for the presi-
dent to meet. onhcially,' a senatorial committee. or any
person or body representing the senate other than the
senate itself. This principle, or policy. was established,
1t appears, in the time of President Madison, and has
been adhered to ever since. The purpose Of the rule
is to preserve intac, and in full force the recognition
of the equality and independence Of the separate Co
ordinate branches Of the government.
Doubtless there was good reason for the rule when
for its general observance since. But to the plain citi-
zen it will not be at all clear that a rule of this kind,
however excellent it may be for ordinary purposes and
under ordinary conditions should be permitted to i'm
pede for a moment the transaction of public business
of vital importance.
Senator Lodges statement was made, it seems, as
an explanation of why the president has not been IN
vied to meet with the committee on foreign relations
to 60 over the peace treaty, and the inference is that be-
cause of this rule such an invitation will not be extended,
although in another portion of the statement there is
IAe lAuA tudl tI1S u0AleI 10 peul6 OHOAOcIeO o
is to be considered. Apparently, if the president does
not meet with the committee there will be no way for
him to discuss the subject matter of the treaty for the
information of the senate except by the method which
he is now following-that of talking the subject over
with. individual senators whom he invites from day to
day to the White House-and that of addressing a reg
ular session of the senate.
In the address on the presentation of the treaty the
president made no reservation in his offer to supply in
forpation. In plain terms he placed himself at the dis.
posal Of the senate or it's committee on foreign rela-
tons for the purpose of going over the treaty in detail
He offered to meet with the senate or it's committee at
the convenience of its members. Unless the senate diff.
fers in a remarkable manner from other deliberative
bodies. while a discussion of the treaty before the full
senate latef on may be useful, the subject can be han.
died most promptly and effectively in an informal dis
cussion by the president and the committee which must
will necessarily be some air of formality. Questions
asked %impromptu from the floor in a gathering of 90
members will have the appearance of heckling, which
is utterly inconsistent with the dignity of the position
which thes president occupies. A meeting of the COM
mittee would not have the atmosphere Of Formally. and
the members would feel free to ask, and the president
to answer, questions on every imaginable phase of the
subject. -
Something has been said about making the hear
ings public. There are two sides to that. The public
needs to be informed. as we'll as the senate, on all mat
tiers relating to the treaty. But a public hearing is
open to the objection that it is more or less formal,
and statements made and questions asked by members
are apt to be inspired not solely by the desire to obtain
information, but by anxiety on the part of the members
to justify themselves in the positions which they have
already taken.
The rule cited by Mr.. Lodge is doubtless. an excel
lent rule for general purposes, but il, in this instance.
it stands in the way of the most complete understand
ing of the treaty, now is a good time to break it.