South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-06
BLOC MEMBERS
STRIKE SNAG IN
FIRST SESSION
Plan for Amending ConstiIu-
ton Finds No Favor With
White House.
PROPOSE DIRECT VOTE
Spokesman Says H arding z
Frowns on Changing Ten
cts of Government.

WASHINGTON Dee 5-lEy g.
/ PD-Nembers OF The new Progress
sive bloc in congress got into action
I today but az tho very outset ran
into White House opposition
Led by Sen. Norris. Republican of
Nebraska. bloc members sitting on
the senate agricultural committee
obtained q favorable report from
that committee FOR constitutional
amendment providing for abolition
OF tho electoral college and for
direct election of president and vice.
president and for abolition OF the
long period of time usually c'asp.ng
between congressional election and
the regular meeting Of The new cou-
gress. such an amendment forms
one Of the planks IN the platform
adopted by the bloc at its orgauiza-
tion beeting last week.
Opposition on part OF Pres't Har-
ding 20 any such chance in tho con-
stitution was expressed by White
House spokesman soon after the sem
ate agriculture committee resolution
was laid before the senate anl as
signed "a place on the calendar some
administration leaders in the senate
/ likewise voiced their disapuroval of
! the amendment and tonight g. a0-
pears that any effort hy the bloc 20
press the proposal might bring on a
fight which would test the power OK
/ the Progressive faction
Last Ballot Directly.
The proposed amendment would
provide specifically that "the choice
| OF each state for president and vice
| president shall De determined at
+ general election of the qualified
/ electors Of such state thus permit
/ ting voters 10 cast their ballots dir
/ ectly for president and Vlce-presi-
dent The vote would Doe cdnvassed
4 by the senate and house. meeting IN
/ joint session. each state being given
as many votes for this purpose as it
has senators and representatives..
If such canvass by state should
/ disclose lack Of majority then the
/ president would be chosen by a ma
/ jority vote of the house. from the
/ persons having the highest number
not exceeding three. ou the list OF
/ those votes for as president"
The vote for vice-pres would
/ be canvassed I'm similar manner.
except that in event OF mo choice by
/ majority of the voters the senate
would select that official as between
the two persons receiving the largest
number Of votes.
The committee en- reporting the
amendment resolution through its
chairman. Sen. Norris. pointed out
that the proposed system might re-
suit in the election Of a president and
vice-president from different parties
Ia matter OF fundamental justice
we ought 20 be protected by law in
F taking should we desire 90
+ do it,"
+ The amendment would further
provide that the terms OF senators
and representative should begin the
/ first Monday i'm January following
+ the biennial congressional election.
and that congress should meet each
/ year on that date This would wipe
/ out the session of the old congress
after the biennial election
Would Change Inauguration.
Another provision would Doe 90
! change the date OF Inauguration
from March 3 20 the third Monday
/ in January
White House officials .n present.
/ ing Pres'r Hardlurs views On the
J proposal represented the executive
as feeling that constant changes in
/ the constitution were urucces ssarr,
and in some cases unwise. ar. Har-
ding. il was said. regarded the pre-
+ sent procedure under the cCustltu-
/ ton whereby the new congress does
not meet for more than year after
f its election as one OF the wisest steps
taken by the nations founding
+ fathers. as IL allows passions 20 cool
The agricultural committee in its
] report. took an entirely opposite
I view. declaring "the present cordi-
| ton OF affairs is not only unfair 20
the citizenship at large who have
/ expressed their VIII as 20 what Leg
/ isIation they desire. but it is likewise
/ unfair to their servants whom they
T have elected 70 carry out this WILL
With respect TO abolition of the
/ electoral college the committee de-
.