Evening star., 1921-03-20
PLAN TO ABATE LOST
MOTION IN CONGRESS
Propositions Being Considered to Cut
Down Work and Expedite Its
Procedure.

maze Dy Representative IL. Waitoh
Moore of Virginia, and supported by
House leaders. to reduce the size of
the quorum in the committee of the
whole from 100 to so members. Dur
of the absence of a quorum in the
committee Of the whole led to the roll
being called approximately seventy
times. This is an appreciable handi-
cap to the legislative work.
1t is. of course, understood that the
quorum of the Mouse itself. which is
a majority of the members. is fixed
by the Constitution. But the quorum
of the committee of the whole, which
is simply an agency of the House. is
determined by the House itself and
can be made whatever it pleases. The
committee of the whole transacts no
business finally, but reports it's ac-
tion to the House for final approval
or disapproval. Nevertheless, most of
the important measures are consid-
cred in the committee of the whole
and this stresses the Importance of
having the work of the committee fa-
cilitated by avoiding unnecessary roll
calls. Prior to 1891 the quorum in
the committee of the whole was the
same as that of the House, but that
year 1t was reduced to 100.
This reform seems wholly desirable,
according to the best judgment of
those who have given it the greatest
thought. AS a matter of fact it is not
and cannot be expected that every
member will be interested in every
measure that comes before Congress.
Each member necessarily and quite
properly specializes more or less. We
legislation from the relatively small
number who are interested in any
proposal as from the larger number.
The fact that fifty might be required
for a quorum would not prohibit any |
or all other members from partici-
pating. So there is no limit proposed
on the right of any member to take
part in any legislation he wishes. The
British house Of commons with more !
than 700 members requires only forty |
to make a quosum-and that is one Of
the oldest and most experienced Of |
legislative bodies in existence, which I
was taken as a model in many re-
spects by the trainers of the Consti-
tuition of the United States.
Advance Notice Of Legislation.
. Second, The proposal that some
system should be developed Of CIV
ing notice at least one day in ad-
vance Of matters that would be taken
up in the House has won many sup
porters.
Foreign legislative bodies have got
ten away from our uncertain prac-
tice- and have made provision for
advance notice. 1t would seem to be
highly desirable that our system
should do the same, those who have
been consulting upon the matter are
agreed. This would apply particu-
larly to giving notice OF special rules
emanating from the rules commit
tee. At the extra session of the Six
~ -SiAtu SoHSTeSS ltV p9DnC DlllS and
joint resolutions were brought forward
on the motions of committees, or under |
the call of committees. without pre-
vious official notice. In addition to
these ITO measures. 20 measures were
considered under special rules. and
all Of them with a single exception
were taken up forthwith upon the
adoption Of the rule without previous
notice.
Foreign Practice.
In the French chamber Of deputies
the practice is that 1.-The chairman,
before declaring the session adjourn
ed, consults the chamber as. to the
day, time and subjects for debate at |
its next session. The order Of the !
day. so determined, is posted up in /
the chamber of deputies building and |
published in the official gazette"
In the English house of commons,
according to Erskin. ION the morn