The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-11
SENATE TIED Up
AGAIN BY
BLOC
Deadlock Still Preventing EIec-
ton of Cumr1ins as Com
mittee Head.
BY WILLIAM K. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.

International News Service.
A little group Of militant in-
surgents, holding the Senate's
balance Of power" continued to-
day to block the election Of SEN
ator Albert B. Cummins Of Iowa
to the craftsmanship Of the Inter-
stat commerce Committee, which
controls all railroad legislation.
The insurgents seven In NUM-
ber-developed the deadlock in the
hope Of unseating Cummins and
electing in his stead, Senator Rob
ert NJ. La Toilette (Rep.) Of Wis
consin, the next ranking member.
Parallels House Fight.
Their fight closely parallels the
tie-up wrought by their Progressive
colleagues In the House last week.
With three ballots already held
without sign Of q break. there
werc indications the contest would
continue throughout the day.
The revolt tossed e monkey
wrench into the Senate's legislative
machinery. Under Senate rules, the
first hour after the opening OF to-
transaction OF minor business and
the introduction OF new bills, but
thereafter the insurgent row block.
ed further business.
The Pr0gresgives said today they
had intended to launch their fight
against CNmmins holding the presi-
denCy Of the Senate before attack
ing him az chairman OF the Inter
state Commerce Committee. As
conditions developed, however, the
insurgents were forced into open
warfare when even their leader,
Senator La Toilette, was absent
due to Illness.
Finish Fight Expected.
The little group, composed OF five
Republicans and two Farmer-Iabor-
ties. apparently are determined to
fight Cummins to finish. While
different motives prompted the war
fare, all seven insurgents announced
themselves as unalterablx opposed
to Cummins holding both the COM
m1ttee Craftsmanship and the presi-
dency Of the Senate.
S0UALOIH
Norris Of Nebraska, Howell Of Ne
braslxa, Broolkhart Of Iowa. IAdd
Of North Dakota, Frazier of North
Dakota, 6hipstead and Magnus
Johnson, floor leader, or Minnesota.
Their program was explained today
by Senator Norris.
I'VE are not going TO quit" said
Norris. II can't predict the out.
come but II Senator Cxmnnins is
defeated a. chairman Of the COM
Inittee, I intend to Support him
for the Genate's presidency. II lie
IL successful in this fight and re-
tatns the chairmanship, shall do
all in my power to bring about
against his continuing IN the office
Of President Of the Senate"
Calls CuRnnins Better.
Broolhart went further. He said.
I'VE are going to fight Cumrnins
to q finish. The Esch-C uEpmins act,
for which he was responsible, was a
leading issue In Iowa last year and
he openly opposed ma for the
senatorship. Cumnins even boltcd
the Republican party to vote for q
Democrat for Senator, but the
people elected me Senator by q
$4,000 majority and I carried Cum.
Minis own home county.
II think Cummins was repudiated
by his own State and ought to give
up his Craftsmanship so that another
man can be elected who will aid in
changing the transportation act,
which the people voted down."
All indications today pointed to a
continuation Of the deadlock for
another twenty-four hours at least.
There was a belief, however, around
the Capitol that the fight would
ultimately be settled through
conpromise.