New-York tribune., 1920-02-27
Colby Inquiry
Delays Vote on
Confirmation
Committee Not Expected to
Take Up Case for Three
Weeks, but Favorable FL
nal Action Is Predicted
Office Vacant i'm Interim
Precedcnts Are Against Ap-
pointee Assuming Duties
Pending Action by Senate

OA~AAAS@ -
From The T,Ioune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-The nomi-
nation of cambridge Colby to be Sec
retary Of State will be held up for an
indefinite period by the Senate before
that body votes its approval of Presi-
dent Wilson's selection of a successor
to Robert Lansing. Indications are,
however, that when the vote is finally
reached Mr. Colby will be confirmed.
The disposition to make full and
open investigation of Mr.. Colby's quail
ifcations for the Cabinet post was
much more apparent in the Senate to-
day than yesterday, especially among
Democratic Senators. Even Senator
Hitchcock, of Nebraska, acting Ad-
ministration leader in the Senate. said
that public hearings probably will be
held on the nomination before the
Foreign Relations Committee reports
1t to the Senate for confirmation.
The Senate's procedure on the nomi-
nation has been placed in charge Of
Senator Lodge. The appointment has
not yet been referred to the Foreign
Relations Committee and 1t is probable
the committee will not take it up for
three weeks.
Full Committee to Act
Senator Lodge explained to-day that
the committee will not act on the
nomination until members who are out
Of the city have returned. Senator
johnson, of California, who was as
sociated with Mr.. Colby in the Pro
gressive party movement and whose
vote insured the confirmation Of Mr.
Colby as member of the United States
Shipping Board in 1917, is particularly
interested in the new appointment, said
Senator Lodge. Senator Johnson's at
titude to-day toward Mr.. Colby is un-
known, and probably Will not be known
until Mr.. Johnson returns from his
speaking trip.
In addition to Senator johnson. Sen
stors McCumber, of North Dakota, Re-
publican, and Smith, of Arizona. and
Swanson, Of Virginia, Democrats, are
out of the city
Opposition to confirmation of the ap
pointment is dying out. Senators ex-
planned to-day, because they believe
the President should have the right
TO select his own Cabinet officers.
"There ought not to be any opposi
tion to Mr.. Colby" said Senator Ere
Hnghuysen, Republican, of New Jersey,
day. Senator Frelinghuysen yester-
ment ''The President has the right to
name his own Cabinet. If Mr.. Palmer
could get by I see no reason why Mr..
Colby should not"
Colby to Await Confirmation
ho1 hot Nv
Colby will assume the duties Of Secre-
tary Of State until after confirmation
of his nomination. Senators Knox and
Hitchcock declared to-day that he
could not assume office, since he was
appointed during q session of Congress.
Mr.. Palmer assumed the office of At
torney General before the Senate con-
firmed his appointment, it was pointed
out, but Mr.. Palmer was appointed dur
ng recess OF Congress and under
the law could function as a recess ap-
pointee until the Senate acted.
Senators quoted two precedents to-
day to support their contention that
Mr. Colby could not act as Secretary
Of State until his appointment has
been confirmed. Both precedents were
established during the term of Presi-
dent Tyler, when the Senate and White
House were engaged in a bitter fight.
President Tyler appointed Caleb
Cushing, Of Massachusetts. as Secre-
each time the Senate rejected the NOM
ination. Then President Tyler NOM
mated James S. Green, of Tennessee,
for the place, and after holding up the
appointment for three weeks the SEN
ate rejected it. Both appointments
were made in 1043 and while Congress
was in session, and neither Mr.. Cush-
ing nor Mr.. Green was allowed to as
sumo the duties of Secretary of the
Treasury, although the Office was va
cant. Roger B. Taney, who was ap-
pointed Secretary of the Treasury by
President Andrew Jackson, was also
rejected.
Reed Denounces Nomination
The nomination of Mr.. Colby was
denounced on the floor of the Senate
to-day by Senator Reed, Democrat. of
Missouri, during the course of debate
on the peace treaty.
The American people have not been
told the truth regarding this instru-
ment and one of the men who most as
slduously msNpresented this docu-
ment to the people of the United States
has just been named for our new Secre-
tary OF State" said Senator Reed. 81
SIMPLY remark in passing that if he
does not know anything more about
our international relations and the
league of nations than he did when he
was out in Missouri making speeches.
then he needs long and faithful
course Of instruction before he assumes
the responsible duties of Secretary Of
State. However, in view of his aero
oatic abilities, he probably can change
any OF his opinions as readily as he
mas changed his political parties, which
offers some hope"
"The Senator from Missouri is a
master master Of cinvective and sarcasm" in
'terrupted Senator Ashurst, of Arizona.
In many instances his just excoriation
OF various men is proper, but hardly
think 1t conforms with the standard Of
great Senator when a man has been
nominated for an Office and that nomi-
nation Is to be considered in executive
session to say in q speech that the nom.
NEE has been guilty of perpetratinp
fraud. ! think a mistake was made ;n