The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-12-11
.|NSURGEN IS
SHOW POWER
IN BALI. OT|NG
Selection OF a Chairman For
Interstate Commerce Com
mittee, Which Handles Rail-
road Legislation, Is Cause
THEY FAVOR AMENDMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION ACT
Senator Smith Of South
Carolina Is Given Solid
Support Of Democrats For
The Place

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-(By As
ISOLATED Press Republican insur-
gents. who favor sharp amendment
of the transportation act. brought
abou, a deadlock today in the Senate
over the election of chairman of
the interstate commerce committee.
which handles railroad legislation.
Three ballots were taken without re-
suit and the. Senate adjourned until
tomorrow when the voting will be
resumed.
Senator Cummlns of Iowa. who is
both chairman of the committee and
president pro TEN. of the Senate, fell
four votes short on the first and
third ballots and three votes short on
the second ballot of the necessary
majority for reelection al chairman
of the committee. Senator LaFol-
lette of Wisconsin, leader of the in
surgents and ranking republican on
the committee, received seven votes
on each ballot, while Senator Smith
of South Carolina, ranking democrat
on the committee, was given the
solid support of the democrats.
Senate Can still Function.
While waged along much the same
lines as that conducted by the re-
publican insurgents in the House
not have such far-reaehing results,
as the Senate can continue to func-
ton. There were varying estihna ties
as to how long the deadlock would
continue. Some leaders of the insur-
gents said it might go on for several
weeks. but some leading senators
thought break would come long be-
fore then.
Senator cummins declared he
would not bargain with the sup
! porters of Senator LaFollette, adding
that he had no intention of giving
up this post for some other. He said
also that he would not conceive thar
there is any question to his right to
the position of chairman.
Senator Cummins was advised
sometime ago by some of his friends
that there was sentiment against his
holding both the committee chair
manship and the office of president
pro tenn, but at that time he told
republican leaders that he had moth
ing to surrender. that he held both
his offices at the pleasure Of the
Senate and that it was for the mem
bership to decide whether he should
retain either or both.
Norris Issues statement.
Senator Norris of Nebraska. a
leader of the insurgents. issued a
statement late in the day saying
that the senators WHO Noteu a SalHst
Senator Cummins were moved as
matter OF principle and not by any
personal feelings.
"They don't reel" he said, that
the presiding officer of the Senate
who has the duties of vice pres
ident to perform should a the same
time be chairman of the interstate
commerce committee.
1.-The progressives are perfectly
willing that Cummins should con-
tinue to hold the presidency Of the
Senate, but they do not think 1t fair
and right or in the interest of good
legislation that he try to hold both
Offices"
Senator Brookheart, Iowa, another
OF the LaFollette supporters, de-
clared the country was opposed TO
the transportation act and that he
was voting for the best man for
chairman to bring about its repeal