The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-29
HARDING THROWS.
We |GHT AGAINST
BORAH PROPOSAL
Lively Tilt Develops Upon the
Senate FIoor-Conference
Plan Is Attacked and
Defended
(oontinued From age one)

CONTINUED From age one)
made by Senators MeNary, republic
can, Oregon; France, republican,
Maryland Helm, democrat, Alabama
and Caraway, democrat, Arkansas,
in support of the Borah amendment
and by Senator Mccormick, republi-
can. Illinois. in opposition. Several
lively tits occurred.
Borah Seeks TO Reply
Senator Borah sought to reply to
President Hardings letter but de-
ferred an extensive reply until to-
morrow when half a dozen senators
are to speak. including in addition to
Mr.. Borah. Senator'S Johnson of Cali
fornia, Watson of Indiana, Capper of
Kansas and Moses of New Hamp-
shire, from the republican side and
probably Senator Hitchcock of Ne
braska and other democrats
Administration leaders hoped to
dispose of the Borah and all related
subjects tomorrow but the speech
making plans made a vote doubtful,
although possible 1t was arranged
that Senator Poindexter, republican,
Washington in charge OF the naval
bill should make q point of order
against the Borah amendment when
1t is offered, but Senator Borah to-
day said he would not formally sub.
init 1t until all discussion had ended.
Senator Borah today, however, vir-
tually conceded that the point of
order that the amendment is not
germane to the House naval arma-
ment conference provision. would be
sustained
Helm to Appeal
Notice of an appeal from such a
ruling was given by Senator Helm
l.,f l.-tx..
margin to sustain the ruling and re-
1ect the Borah amendment. was as
sured. Some accessions to the ranks
of the amendments supporters were
claimed tonight, but administration
spokesman said final majority suf-
ficlent to throw out the amendment,
was unquestioned.
Senator Borah planned, II defeated,
to continue his fight by Introduction
of his proposal as separate resolu
ton, which, however. would run the
fire of a committee and the Senate
with its suggested program prior to
the end OF Congress in March.
The Presidents letter to Senator
Lodge follows:
MY Dear Senator Lodge:
Replying to your inquiry relative
to proposed amendment to the pend
ing naval bill, authorizing and re-
questing the President to call an
economic conference to deal with
questions in the war-torn nations of
Europe. i write to say that l know
of no prohibition against such an ex-
press on the part of the Congress.
but | do frankly question the desira-
blity of such an expression. 1 think
ii is undesirable because of false I'M
preston which may conveyed there
by to Europe, and even more unde-
sirable because of the wrong i'm
preston 1t conveys to our own peo-
pie.
Harding Resents Action
"On the face OF things 1t is equi-
valent to saying that the executive
branch of the government which is
charged with the conduct of foreign
relations is not fully alive to world
situation which is of deep concern
to the United States.
LAS a matter of fact, the European
situation has been given most
thorough and thoughtful considera-
ton for many months. without
questioning the good faith of the
proposal. / am very sure 1t would
have been more seemly and the ac-
| ton of the Congress could be taken
much more intelligently IL the prop
| err inquiry had been made of the
state department relative to the sit
uation in which we are trying to be
helpful.
"Of necessity, the communications
| of the state department relative TO
diplomatic matters among nations
be bulletined from day to day
but the situation Is never withheld
| from members of Congress who
choose to inquire for confidential In
| formation in a spirit of cooperation.
Such inquiry would have revealed the
| futility of any conference call until
It is understood that such a confer
ence would be welcomed by the ma
| tons concerned, within the limits of
! discussion which the expressed will