The Washington times., 1923-12-15
TRUCE IS
REACHED IN
SENATE
Insurgents Ready to Retain
Position Months, They
Declare.
4
lllTERlATIoIlAL MEWs RED
BY VIM. X. HUTCHINSON,
international News Service.

All armed truce prevailed today
between the warning factions of the
Senate when it met after q recess
for the transaction Of minor bust
ness.
A gentlemen's agreement was IN
effect between the Republican reg
uiars and the Republican insur.
gents. in which the Democrats
Joined, not to resume during the
day the quarreling over the chair.
n1anship OF the Interstate Com.
merce Committee, which for two
weeks now has resulted in Senate
confusion.
Republican leaders still had under
consideration a peace proposal from
the seven insurgents to take either
Senator Couzens R) Of Michigan,
or Senator Howell R.) Of Nebraska,
AS chairman OF the committee in
place of Senator Cummins R.) of
Iowa. 1t was made in reply to an
offer from the regulars to nomi-
nate Senator Watson R9 of In
diana to the posi-.
Offer Frowned On.
The offer of the insurgents APP
parently did not meet with much
favor, for Republican leaders said
they expected 10 continue to sup
port Senator Cummins. despite the
six-day battle against him.
The Republicans appeared con-
fident they would ultimately elect
Cummins. 1t was reported their
confidence was based on informa-
ton that a number Of Democrats
would either desert their party can.
didate-Senator Ellison y. Smith OF
M An oh
from the Senate when ballOting is
resumed. BY either action. two or
three Democrats could elect Cum
minis because of the closeness of
previous votes.
Democratic chieftains denied this,
however, renewing their declara.
tions that the minority would vote
solidly for Smith. They also de-
clared the action of Senator Bruce
Dem.) of Maryland, who switched
from Smith to Cummins In the
voting Thursday, was not Endorsed
by Democratic leaders.
May Go to New Year.
There was possibility the Senate
fight would continue into the New
Year. An ADJOURNMENT will be taken
next Thursday until January 3 and
unless a settlement is reached next
week, the quarrel will be resumed
after the Christmas vacation.
Senator Norris (Reb.) of Nebraska,
acting leader of the insurgents, In
Dictated this today in a statement
to International News Service.
1.-THE Progressive group was APP
preached by representative OF the
so-called Republican regulars said
Norris. /de suggested waving the
seniority rule in the selection of
chairman for the Interstate Com
MERGE Committee. The Progressives
agreed, but instead of approving the
compromise candidate suggested by
the regulars, offered to support
either Senator Howell or Senator
CouZens.
eff this offer is not accepted there
is no telling how long the fight
may continue. 1t may last for
months. One thing alone is certain
the Progressives will never accept
Senator Cummins for this chair
manShip.
Business Goes On.
II want to deny, too, that the
Senate's business is being tied up
now by this fight. AS a matter Of
fact every committee of the Senate
Is organized for business, some of
them are meeting and transacting
business, new legislation is being
introduced, some measures have
even been enacted by the Senate.
There is no need to stop the Sem
ate's business and allegations that
we have stopped it's legislative func-
tiohing are utterly without founda'
ton in fact.