The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-12-06
Norris Plan
by
Senate Progressive Bloc Gets
Into Action, Headed by Ne
braskan, Urging Change
in Constitution.
Will Be Test Of Power
II, ARTHl X SEARS IlE>NlNG.
Omaha lee Leased Wire.

Washington, Dee. moves in the
senate today for constitutional
amendment providing for direct elec-
ton OF president and vice president
and for convening a new congress im-
mediately after election are vigor.
ously opposed by President Harding.
The president thinks that the CON
stitution does not need the constant
tinkerinc that It has been udergoipg.
lie always has been of that opinion
and has had no occasion 10 change
his mind.
One of the greatest Inspirations OF
the fathers, in the opinion of Mr..
Harding. was the provision that u
congress should not comc into exist
enee till tie following year. Tint
provision gives opportunity for sober
reflection on public questions which
Is hancfcial to sound legislation.
No Advantage Seen.
The president has observed that the
American people are prone to be
swayed by ephemereal whims which
would be likely to be translated into
legislation il congress were to meet
Immediately after election. lie sees
ularly as the executive has power 10
call a new congress into extraordinary
session within six months after the
election.
The senate agricultural committee,
dominated largely by progressives,
voted to recommend 10 the senate a
resolution, sponsored by Senator Nor
ris. republican, Nebraska, providing
for the submission of a constitutional
amendment embodying the following
changes:
Changes Urged.
inauguration OF the president and
vice president on the third Monday in
January following their election.
Convenlng of the newly-elected con-
gress on the first Monday in January
| following the election.
Adjustment of the electoral college
and the election OF the president and
the vice president by direct vote of
the people each state, however. to
cast same number OF electoral votes
in the canvass as at present.
Discuss Ashmst Plan.
While the agricultural COMMITTEES
I
tee of the more conservative Judiciary
committee. made up OF the ablest law
yers in the senate, was listening to
arguments In behalf of the Ashurst
resolution, which provides for the in
augIJation of the president and virs
president and the convening of newly.
elected congresses on the same dates
as designated in the Norris resolution.
| The Ashurst resolution, however. con.
tains no provision for abolishing the
electoral college and direct election
of president.
Arguments fayoring the Ashurst
resolution were presented by William
Lowell Putnam of Boston, chairman
Of committee of the American Bar
association; Levy Cook of Washing
tion, a member of the same commit.
tee; Senator Pepper, republican,
Pennsylvania. and Edgaf Wallace,
representing the American Federation
OF Labor
Although the subcommittee took 70
action. it was plain that It's members
were impressed with the arguments
| in favor OF the measure.
Lawyers Favor Law.
Spokesmen for the American Bar
association, supporting the Ashurst
resolution, declared II was desirable
to have the will of the people a.
expressed at the polls translated into
action as soon as possible after the
election. They pointed out that tho
socalled short session of congress.
following the election. usually proved
stalemate and produced little or no
| legislation. The trainers Of the con-
stitution in tking the date for ths
convening Of the newly elected CON.
gress, they argued. were guided large
ly by the slowness of transportation
and communication in their day
rather than by a desire TO create u
cooling off period between the elec-
tion and the assembling OF the new
congress.