New-York tribune., 1922-12-05
Demand Constitution Be
Amended to End Hold.
Over Sessions and Wipe
Out Electoral College
Election Held to
Justify Filibuster
Would Keep Repudiated
Legislators From Voting
on Big Issues,S Says Norris
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-Two mild,
yet nevertheless "libcralizing" amend
ments to the Federal Constitution will
be submitted at this session, leaders
Of the radical Progressive block de-
elared to-day. One eliminates the lame
duck vote idea. II provides that Con-
gress shall meet the month following
its election, instead Of the old Con-
gress holding over for an entire short
session, as at present
The other Is the proposal 20 elm
mate the necessity for electors In
Presidential elections. preserving the
present state unit system. but having
the people vote directly for the Presi-
dent and vicc-Pres,dent. Then the
Secretary Of State for New York, for
instance, would certify 70 Washington
that New York cast her foTty-hve votes
for whatever candidate carried the
state.
The radical bloc. despite the opposi-
tion Of most a Us members 20 the
ship subsidy bill, 30 far has not organ
lied a flibuster TO fight Il, though a
readiness 10 organize one Is very gen.
orally expressed.
Holds Filibuster Justified
"I would vii ingly join In an organ
lied flibuster against the ship subsidy
5ill." said Senator George w. Norris
to-day. 1T fits right in with our plan
20 have the eonvening Of Congress
moved up to avoid lame duck Con-
crosses.
Ever, one comedies that the next
Congress would defeat the ship. sub
sidy blll. That 20 me is n perfect JUS
tihcation for hlibusteTing against the
massage Of this bill during the present
Congress. II il should pass at the
present session Il will be by votes OF
men who have been repudiated BY the
,eople at tho polls"
II was 70 Senator Norris'a committee
that on agriculture, that the resolu.
ton OF Senator Caraway, which would
orbid Senators defeated at the recent
election from voting on other than
routine matters. was referred. SEN
ator Norris made it clear to-day that
he d d not favor the Caraway reso-
ution. but pointed out that Il gave
the committee a splendid opportunity
% push his constitutional amendment
making the time Of the conyen4ng o.
Ia Congress close TO the time Of It's
election.
Ceases To Be Humorous
"The reference Of the Caraway reso.
luton to the Comm ttec or Agricul'
ture may have been a joke said Sen
ator Norris. but the. fact accomplished
is not humorous az all. We now have
Jurisdiction OF this question by a for.
NAL action Of tie Senate"
The committee will meet tomorrow
and, Il o. expected, formally will re.
port the t.yt q const tut.onal amend.
ment ending lame duck Congresses for
all time 10 eomc. No opposition to the
constitutional amendment have beer
evidenced, Senator Norris said to-day
in discussing the committee meeting
scheduled for tomorrow. On the con
trary, there is widespread approval oi
T., and the Senator is confident also
that II will be ratified rapidly by the
necessary thirty-slx states.
"The only opposition TO the other
constitutional amendment-tha abol.
ishing the Electoral College-vill come
from those who want 60 20 further,
said Senator Norris. "There a con.
siderable sentiment among the pro.
grest YES for abolishing state lines and
having a direct vote in the country al
large foi President.
Permit Short Ballots
"I am not now discussing the merits
Of that proposition. | am merely de-
tcrmined TO fight for something which
I know We can get, and get quickly
No one has ever given lie a reason
for opposing my plan. All II would dc
would be 10 eliminate useless ma
chinery. Il would permit short ballot.
instead Of long ones.
"Under my plan the people Of New
York would vote for Hiram Johnson
we will say. for President, instead OF
for those forty-hve electors. Then II
Hiram Johnson got n majority Of the
votes cast in New York State the
proper authorities would certify "a
that and forty-6vo electoral votes
would be counted for johnson without
any silly red tape OF forty-hve unim-
Dortant gentlemen meeting In a room
and solemnly casting their ballots for
Johnson"