Evening star., 1923-12-16
BREACH IN SENATE
DEF|ES SOLUTION;
HOUSE ROW ENDS
All G. O. P. Efforts for Peace
With insurgents Fail in
Upper Branch.
COALITION MAY RESULT
IN REPUBLICAN DEFEAT
Lower Body Comedies Point to Pro
gressives, Puts Nelson on
Committee.

republican leadership in the Houss
has effected compromise between
the regulars and the republican pro-
gressive insurgents" and mada ,+
possible to complete the organization,
OF the House tomorrow on republican
lines. Seemingly, the republicans
have forestalled. for a time atoIeast.
working agreement between tbe
insurgent republicans and the demo-
Gratis in the House, which might
nave been extended to cover all legis-
lative matters.
In the Senate, on the contrary. the
republican leaders have been unable
or unwilling-to find any ground
upon which they could unite the war
ring. factions Of their party. In
fact, unless strenuous measures are
taken, the breach promises to be
widened. The election of Senator
smith of South Carolina, democrat.
TO the chairmanship of the inter
state commerce committee-whtch
has been the bone of contention in
the Senate for a week-may result.
1t was pointed out last night. This
could be accomplished only by q
union Of democratic and progressive
votes. And once there has been such
union on a matter of organization
OF the Senate. 1t is difficult TO pre-
dict where the working agreement
between the progressives and the
democrats would end. 1t might well
be continued and cover important
legislative matters.
The progressive group has Issued
an ultimatum to the effect that Sena-
tor Cummins Of Iowa cannot be re-
elected chairman Of the Interstate
commerce committee-with any pro-
gressive votes. This means that he
could not be elected unless he has
democratic support, and. except FOR
Senator Bruce OF Maryland. IL is er-
tremely doubtful that he will receive
such support. -
Couxens As CsmproMise.
Senator fCouzens of Michigan, re-
has been put forward as q
compromise candidate. He has voted
up to now with his party
for Mr.. Cummins The progressive
group stands ready to vote fro AIr.
Couzens, and so do many of the reg
ular republicans, In order to break
the deadlock. But there IS a group
of stand-pat republicans within the
regular ranks that has absolutely re-
fused, it is said, to consider Mr.
Couzens for the place. The Senate
rule of seniority is advanced as
reason why the Michigan senator
cannot be accepted. Also II is said
that he is too radical" when II comes
to the railroad question.
However. Mr.. Ceuzens Is already a
member of the Interstate commerce
committee and will have no adj
tional vote in that committee, even
should he become chairman. The
seniority rule. it appears. is stand
ing in the way OF an agreement in
republican ranks and threatening to
bring about a situation that may go
far toward bringing about republican
defeat in the elections OF 1924.
House Ready Tomorrow.
The organization Of the House is
expected to be completed tomorrow
with the election OF its standing
committees. This will set the legis
lative machinery Of the House in
motion.
The way was paved for this. re-
suit yesterday when the House
'.progressives' won their fight for
place on the rules committee, which
shapes the legislative program Of the
House.
BY a vote OF 1913 to 2, republican
party conference approved the as
signment of Representative Nelson OF
Wisconsin, the insurgent leader, TO
the rules committee in place OF Rep
resentative Tilson of Connecticut, who
withdrew voluntarily in the interest
of harmony. This dissipated any
hopes of the democrats to increase
their membership on the committee
from four to five.
The republican conference action
was taken in the face OF a threatened
insurgent-democrat coalition which
might have created in the House to-
morrow a situation similar TO that in
the Senate, where there were increas-
ing signs of combined insurgent and
democratic vote for the election OF
Senator Smith, democrat, South Caro-
lima, as head OF the interstate COM
merce committee.
Convinced that the organization re-
publicans and insurgents standing
together will have the votes 60 put
through the House Monday the
standing committee states az now
drawn, democratic leaders have
abandoned the party caucus which
HAD been called for tomorrow fore
noon to consider the rules commit
tee question. Once the assignments
are ratified by the House the various
committees will be able 20 function
and Chairman Green OF the ways and
means committee, has sent out word
that consideration Of the tax re-
duction legislation will begin Tues
day.
The slate of subcommittee assign
ments for the appropriations com
mittee Is ready and hearings are to
start Wednesday on several OF the
biggest departmental appropriation
bills.
ID. C. Committee 60 Meet.
The House District committee is
expected to meet on Tuesdsy and