The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-12-15
BOTH HOUSES
Of CONGRESS
At STANDST|LL
Row Over Makeup Of Com
mittee Which Directs Legis-
lative Program Prevents
Ratification In House
NEW EFFORT TO BREAK
SENATE DEADLOCK FAIL
Republicans Change Plans AS
To Rules Committee Lists
As Result Of Insurgent And
Democratic Opposition

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-(By AS
ISOLATED Press.)-A row over the
makeup of the committee which di-
reefs the legislative program pre-
vented House ratification today OF
the personnel of it's standing COM
mittees. At the same time another
effort to break the Senate deadlock
the interstate commerce committee
failed and the situation there ap-
parentiy was exactly where it was
when the Senate quit balloting last
Wednesday.
Opposition by both republican In
surgents and democrats Of the House
to the plan of republican organiza-
ton leaders to have eight Of their
number on the rules committee de-
veloped to such an extent that IL was
decided not to present the committee
list to the House for approval as had
been planned. Whether there is to
be any change in the fixed ratio Of
members will be discussed at a re-
publican conference called for tomor-
row. The democrats will hold a
caucus Monday to consider the ques-
ton.
Meantime, action on the committee
personnel by the House has defi-
nitely been deferred until next week.
This will delay organization of the
ways and means committee which
had planned to begin consideration
of tax reduction legislation next
Monday. Representative Green of
Iowa, who has been selected as chair
man, will call the members together
as soon as the House has disposed of
the committee question.
No Hope OF Breaking Deadlock.
Although there appeared for time
today a possibility Of the breaking
of tho Senate deadlock when ballot
ing is resumed Monday. this virtually
was dissipated by a formal an
seven, who have been supporting
Senator LaFollette of Wisconsin, the
insurgent leader. that on Monday
they expected to vote for Senator
Howell. republican. Nebraska, for the
interstate commerce committee chair
manship.
The announcement which was is
sued by Senator Norris, republican,
Nebraska, said that If Senator Cou-
zens, republican, Michigan, was
more satisfactory to other repub-
lican senators than Senator Howell,
tho insurgents would be glad to
unite on him. Republican leaders
said Senator Cummins, republican,
Iowa, had been Endorsed for the
Craftsmanship by a regular party con-
ference and that they would con-
tinue to vote for him until the con-
ference had formally decided on some
other senator.
With the insurgents supporting
Senator Howell, the situation Mon
day would be exactly as 1t was dur
ing the three days of banoting
earlier in the week with neither
Senator Cummins nor Senator Smith
of South Carolina. the democratic
candidate, able to muster the MAJOR
ity necessary for election.
o O O
Insurgents To support Howell.
In announcing that the insurgents
would support Senator Howell. who
ranks last among the republican
members of the interstate commerce
committees. Senator Norris said the
insurgents had been approached by
an emissary of the so-called regular
republicans and the proposition has
been made to us that in selecting the
chairman of this committee, the rule
of seniority should be overthrown
and a selection for chairman be made
Continued ON Page Two)