Evening star., 1922-12-07
HARD|NG-CONGRESS
SPLIT |SF0RECAST
Presidents Opposition to
New Date for Converting
May Bring Fight.
CAN EXERT NO POWER
Amendment Would Require Two
Third Vote, Enough to Over
ride Veto.
CAN EXERT NO POWER
BY \. q. MESSENGER.

Because President Harding is known
to he opposed to amending the Constr
tuition of the United States to advance
the date for the assembling of Congress
in regular session. disposition is mani
fest i'll some quarters to predict con-
test between him and the element IN
Congress which is advocating the change.
His friends who deprecate the idea
that this subject will provoke a split be-
tween the executive and Legislative
branches along both party and factiona!
lines, point out that i'll fact the President
will have no decision in the matter. He
may express his personal opinion as
Z, citizen and make 4 suggestion as the
executive. but he cannot exert any
power in the premises.
President Has No Power.
A resolution submitting a proposed
constitutional amendment to the legisla-
lures of the states for ratification must
pass the House and Senate by two
thirds vote Obtaining of such ma
jority will preclude the possibility Of a
presidential veto being effective. for il
applied 1t would b. Immediately over
riien by the vote which passed the res
olut,on. III this case the presidential
attitude is of necessity passive
Until the President makes his ad
dress to Congress ii cannot be known
how far he VIII so in committing
himself officially TO opposition to the
undertakiug. Many Of his friends
think ii not necessary for him Ia
take any stand on the proposition at
all. They feed tnat if he should he
would iie gong out of his way to
place himself IN a position which
would invite ATTACK upon him
President Against Change.
President IIarding's personal feel
ing on the proposal 70 amend the Con-
Stitution in this respect is known
He thinks that one of the wisest pro-
visions made by the founders is the
one which permits 4 lapse OF time be-
tween the election and the assem-
bling of the Congress then chosen. to
allow public sentiment tp formulate.
free from the heat and passion en-
gendered by the campaign. possibly
rejecting. after calm consideration.
different or mod!htd rie" II
public exisency should require. II is
always possible. of course. TO call the
legislative body in extraordinary ses-
sion.
The progressive bloc in Congress is
responsible for starting the movement
in this case. That does not mean. how
ever. that it is TO remain a political
asset of the progressives. II viii! be
favored by some of the most pro-
nounced standpatters. ard will be op-
posed by some men who are recoG-
nized as sincere progressives.
Party Zines to Go.
Opinion and voting will divide along
Tho lines of supporting the utilitarian
reasons advanced by the proponents OF
the plan and the deep-rooted convic-
tions of others who are in sympathy
with the aims Of the founders. Politi-
cal lines will disappear in the vote. The
only political question is whether the
anti-adminiS;ratio republicans can
succeed in making President Harding
the butt of attack by posting him as
The head Of the opposition.
Some Of the radical progressive bloc
are understood to be intent upon fore
ing an extra session of Congress this
spring by delaying legislation of this
session II there IS to be prolonged
contest over the merchant marine bill,
it is difficult to See how any time will
be left for consideration of the con-
stitutional amendment. since 1t is GER
Tain to lead to prolonged debate. with
learned dissertation on the Constitu-
tion.