The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-09-30
.Absenteeiisnl
Big Problem
Senators Show Listlessness
While Great Issues Are
Up for Action.
Ry DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright by The IntelliSencero

Washington. Sept. "2.--The United
States senate Is getting wise" 10 pub
lie sentiment. The few weeks OF recess
gave many senators an opportunity I"
confer with their constituents. The
widespread diSsat isfacticn with the long
time II has taken I" set new tax
bill Is one Of q number cf reasons why
q group OF Republican senator's mot at
the home Of Senator Frelinghuysen. Of
New Jersey. the other night and talked
ways and means OF speeding W leSfs-
alton,
Details Of The meeting are just leak
ing out. One after-effect was con-
ference with President Harding about
she necessity % drawing M = cloture
rule 20 lirni. debate in tho senate. This
has BEEN up before. President Wilson
thought ne hal accomplished something
when at the beginning Of his second
ADMINISTRATION new clnture rule Was
PASSED. bur Il takes sixteen senator's
20 sign the petition and then u ma
jority vote 10 invoke the rule. 1t has
been Of little effect. Mr.. Harding Is
naturally anxious 10 sec the legislative
machinery 81 the government Oiled up.
He Is not trying 70 dictate TO congress
what rs rules shall be. but as for
vas sought.
Evil Of AessntSsism.
But the real trouble in the senate
L. not durable by clotur~ alone. Tn
limited debate has rs ADVANTAGES as
we'll as It's disadvantages FtlthuSter-
Ing has been INDUCED in very largely
20 prevent q vote being taken when
many senators arc absent from their
SEATS Aosenteeism " the real problem
that has 70 be solved-how to makS
senators stay on tho job. Scarcely a
day roes by that the senate doesn't haNH
20 call for quorum. whereupon men,
eers como scurryinS from their Offices.
l!.tlessly answer roll "all and go back
70 their offices again in another build
Ing. hoping nobody will call second
TINA for a quorum.
A cloture rule Will be bitterly fought
BY Tho minority. Halt the strategy Of
political parties Is speech making in tina
,enate The Republicans won their last
congress. II Is conceded By Democrats
arsely through tho attacks male by
S-nators Borah Johnson. Rraudssee and
f,>dxe In the open senate. II is the
minority which benefits by unlimited de-
bate while the majority. always anS-
lous 20 accomplish results chafes I'M
der the delays incident to prolonged
discussion.
Itnttsd Debate.
There have been periodic movements
N limit debate They como every time
legislation Is delayed and an tmpatience
sr;ses from tho country. This time
4 tariff or tax bin since IL went into
la l. iOhi
IN the minds OF Republican leaders.
TIE house, with rules limiting debate.
sLnctioned smoothly and passed both q
aritt and 4 tax measure Both have
% De revised. and probably will be re-
written in the upper house. but tho
fact Is tho house did It's Job. while the
senate hasn't gotten very far. That's
why group OF Republican senators
an 50 active In advocating cloture.
Bit aside from the suggestion OF
limiting debate ,here Is very inter-
.sttnS 81. Of controversy going on I'M
der tho surface with respect 10 Re-
publican leadership in the senate. Mt.
Lodge. Of course, will soon be absorbed
with his duties as "A member Of the
armament commission. which acts, un-
Yer specific instructions OF the presi-
dent. Temporarily. At least. Mr.. l.SdSs
viii b, working for the executive branch
Of tho government.
The struggle for possession OF Mr..
Lodges Job As Republican leader Is
becoming intense. Senator Jim Watson.
ot Indiana. and Senator Curtis. OF Kan
sas are equally prominent IN the race.
Then there are tho insurgert senators
% b. considered. They are not over
.nthusiastic about being led by either
Senator Watson or Senator Curtis. who
represent tho conservative wing Of the
party. commonly called stand patters.
The truth Is the latter element Is In
the majority In the senate. and the re-
election OF Senator BurSum. or New
Mexico. has encouraged them TO believe
tho country IS with them. While the
so-called progressive group takes issue
with that statement. the fact IS the
stand pat" Republicans have the votes
10 select Any enc OF their number as
leader.
This Is critical week IN The lests-
lati0, situation But me conferences
} among senators IN both the Republican