The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-05
6 YEARS FAVORED
AS PRESIDENTIAL
TERM OF OFFICE
. Members Of Congress Ex-
press Convictions OPP
posing Reelection.
DIVISION OVER HOUSE
Symposium Shows No IMAM
unity on Length of Service
for Representatives.
MANY SUGGEST SIX YEARS
Majority Urge Either a Three
Year or a Four Year
Period.
DIVISION OVER HOUSE
MANY SUGGEST SIX YEARS


A definite sentiment among men,
Z. bers of Congress In favor of increasing
the Presidential term to six years with
ineligibility at the end of that time, Is
evident from the results of THE New
York HERALD's symposium on the sub
ject. Members OF both the Senate and
the House of Representatives were in
vited to give their opinions regarding
a longer Presidential term and three
year term for Representatives.
OF the large number of replies re-
ceived three-fifths indicate approval
Of the six year term for President.
The proportion In favor of longer
term in the House of Representatives
is about the same. but with respect
to this second question there Is a
marked division of opinion between
advocates Of a three year and four
year term. Several replies suggested
a six year term for members of the
House.
Reasons for Opinions.
Opinion In favor OF longer single
term for President. as evidenced In these
replies. is based chiefly on the convic-
tion that the President could and won q
devete himself moro unreservedly to the
country's welfare IL considerations OF
second term were removed. The IN
settling effect of frequent Presidential
elections upon the nations business Is
also advanced as an argument in favor
of a longer term.
Following are some Of the replies In
addition to those printed in THE NEW
YORK HERALD of last week:
SENATOR MILES POINDExTER
fRep.). Washington--1 am opposed to
both proposals Six years is too long
for a poor President and too short for
good one I much prefer the excellent
ARRANGEMENT of the Constitution whereby
at the end OF four years the people can
determine the fitness Of the incumbent
for office, and II found satisfactory re-
elect him favor the scheme and prin-
ciple of the present system In which the
House OF Representatives, as the pop
u1ar branch. returns at short intervals
to the people. and thereby keeps In close
touch with the mass of the people. as
one branch of the legislative body when
ie stabilized by the Senate. ! think the
fathers OF the Constitution were very
happy In the arrangement they MADE
about these matters.
SENATOR JULIUS KAHN (Rep)
California; believe the sPresidentisl
term Of four years as provided IN the
Constitution is ample. However, there
should be a limitation, In my opinion. 70
the effect that no President shall be
elected for more than two terms. / am
- ho VT n
Of the Representatives beyond two years
These officials are supposed TO come
from the body Of the citizenship or the
country and ought to answer TO their
constituents during the two years Tor
which they are elected In regard TO their
action on pending legislation.
SENATOR OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD
(Dem.). Alabama think that to fix
the Presidents term at six years and TO
make him ineligible for reelection would
to q large extent divorce the President
from partisan politics. and the six year
term would give an administration
greater security In working out poll. cs
for the good OF the country. I favored
this proposition some eight years ago
when II was before the Congress, and
have no reason to change my viewpoint
The question of electing Congressman
for three years would be dependent upon
the extension OF the Presidents term n
six years. To elect two Congresses r
one administration. In my Judgment
would be more satisfactory than to elect
three, and In tina event that the first
change Is made the second should fol-
low.
SENATOR ID. q. FLETCHER (Dem.)
Tlorids--I am In favor Of a Presiden-
tiai term of six years. with incl gibility
at the end OF the term, and a four year
term for msnbers Of the House Of Rep
rssentatives. The President now scarce
" has time within the four year term tc
get before Congress and have thoroughly
considered the various legislation and
other public matters which are embraced
In the platform on which he Ia elected
and which he ls pledged to accomplish
A Representative scarcely takes his seat
now before another primary or genera
election Is on In his district He Is moi
able to give his FUN and undivided at
tention TO the duties Of his office as he
would be- n his torn were extended ovei
a gre>r period.
sEF TEA LANES ID. PHELAN
(Dem.). California; believe the Presi
Dental term of six years limited woulc
be better than the present plan. The siS
years could be given TO @ real construc
i've ana misunderstood WOThs uHdAitClee
by the demands for patronage and the
oiling Of party or personal machinery
Six years gives time In which to estab
lish a policy and accomplish results
certainly TO a greater degree than foui
yssrs. which may be FILTERED away lr
vain attempts 70 make II four years
more At the end OF six years the Pres.
ldenl should be retired with an ampIt
pension
think rhe term OF Representatives
might be extended to three years lr
order 70 give the members an opportuni.
" to accomplish something and to re-
lieve them OF the burdens ~ reelection
II would make the office more desirable
and. therefore. members might NOR,
closely consult their constituents In or
Ger to hold their place.
REPRFsRNTATIvE =. ID. FEss
(Rop.). ohio---1 am not In favor o.
either OF these proposals. No one OF oui
Presidents has been or ppled ~
time The failure to consummate needet
reforms ls not due 10 want OF time bn
rather 10 irreaoiution on the one hand
and lack Of cooperation Of the executive
and the legislative on the other.
How much credence should be giver
90 the allegation that President en-
ploys his energy during he first tern
10 insure His second term2 If his on
trgy IN devoted to insure a high grade
Of service and q successful Administra
lion. even though the dominant motive
r. 10 Insure reelection, no fault can b,
found with II. In republican form OF