The Washington herald., 1922-07-11
LEADERS EVOLVING
PLAN TO DAM TALK
DELUGE In SENATE
James Watson Drafting
Move to Amend Rules
And Save Time.
BLOCS ARE BLAMED
Calls Fellow Legislators Er'
rand Runners for Their
Constituents.

hepuolican Senate leaders are
working on a measure, designed to
amend the rules of the upper
branch Of Congress so as to stay
the vocal deluse on the tariff and
other measures and enable them to
pass their legislative program be-
fore the elections.
According to the present plan,
Senator James Watson. Indiana. will
foster the proposal and he indicated
yesterday that as soon as it is def
nitely formulated, he will move to
set aside the tariff bill long enough
to present his measure.
The questions: What is the mat
ter with Congress?" which has be-
come the outstanding feature of
hood-tide of mail to the Republican
National Committee, the White
House, Senators and Representa-
tives, has begun to pail on the Re-
publican organization.
Several Theories Advanced.
President Harding struck at 1t
when he denounced legislation by
slocs. Secretary Weeks found the
basis of II in the low standard of
craftsmanship resulting, he said,
from the direct primary. Chairman
Adams, of the Republican National
Committee, has just laid the party's
troubles at the door of the Demo-
cratic opposition. Some political
leaders declare Congress is failing
because of lack of leadership. One
Of the foremost Republicans yester-
day attributed It to a lack of defl-
mite program. He pointed to the
bInus question as an example. That
might have been disposed of last
1u!y. hC said, but it was carried on
and 10 one knows today when it
will pass, II at all. or what the
President will do about it in either
event.
Those Republicans responsible for
the party's legislative program
and these include Senator James
Watson-attribUte the whole diff
Guilty of Congress today TO the
power Of minorities. There Is the
farm bloc minority, the reclamation
minority, the Entl-bonus minority,
minorities on different tarif: schCG-
ules, cliques on both sides of the
subsidy quest. on-all with their pet
desires 70 De satisfied, all wits axe.
slightest provo:ation. and legisla-
tive grievances to satisfy.
Would Amend Rules.
The combination Of these minor
tiles has served to thwart the hd-
ministration purpose to throttle
tariff debate by cloture. So, Wat
son says, Republican leaders will
seek a similar end through a diff
\ ferent route. A resolution amend
\ ing the rules would require Only
a majority vose. More than a ma
1ority signed the cloture petition,
so Watson feels resolution
amending the rules would De SUE
cessful.
To prevent a terrific back-fire on
such action, however, the create st
care will be taken to conserve
minority rights, he said. This is
advisable not only from the stand
point of political tact, but also in
light OF the possibility that at some
future date such action might come
back to roost under changed minor
ity conditions.
Act As "Errand Runners.,
In explaining the basis of his
, contemplated action, Watson said
yesterday that twenty years ago,
Senators coming to Washington to
legislate. studied. discussed and de-
bated public questi ons. After a
Senator had presented his arguments
in full and had done his utmost
to make his viewpoint prevail, he
was content to sit down and let the
majority rule.
To-day. half a dozen men can pre-
vent the Senate of the United States
from functioning, and that is be-
ing done.
Members OF Congress have be-
come errand runners because their
constituents are after them all the
time to do this thing and that. The
result Is that they come to the
floor of the senate unprepared for
the work to be done. Frequently
1they come with long speeches. writ
ken by somebody else. having only
emote connection or no relation at
kll to the subject under discussion.
And in this way, a great proportion
Pf the time of Congress is taken up.
No Way to Prevent 1t.
"Disjointed discussion and ir-
relevant talk. more and more are
featuring proceedings of Congress
and. under the existing rules, there
is no way to prevent this.
The Senate isn't functioning be-
cause we have here minority rule
and we shall continue to be gov
erned by a minority uptil the Sem
Rte rules of procedure are changed.
am now formulating and intend
soon to Introduce a measure de-
figned to change the rules of the
Senate so that that body can func-
tion."
Watson, while stating that an
houncement of the detailed struc-
lure of his measure would be pre-
nature at this time, indicated II
you'd aim to enable a majority
opinion to prevail on any subject
Within a reasonably limited time.