The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-15
Norris Puts
|CoIIeagueUp
asChairn1an
Interstate Commerce Commit
tee Post Still Vacant as
Republican Factions
Fail to Agree.
Would Repeal Rail Law

Washington. Dec. 14.-Although
there appeared for a time today a
possibility Of the breaking of the
senate deadlock when balloting Is re-
sumed Monday. this virtually was
dissipated by formal announced
on behalf of the group Of seven who
have been supporting Senator La
Toilette, of Wisconsin the insurgent
leader, that on Monday they expect
ed to vote for Senator Howell, re-
publican. Nebraska. for the inter-
state commerce committee chairman
ship.
The announcement. which was IS
sued by Senator Norris, republican.
Nebraska. said that II Senator Cou-
zens, republican. Michigan. was more
satisfactory to other republican SEN
ators than Senator Howell the insur-
gents would be glad to unite on
him.
Republican leaders said Senator
cummins, republican. Iowa. had been
endorsed for the ehairmanship By A
regular party conference and that
they would continue to vote for him
until the conference had formally de-
eided on some other senator.
Norris Proposes Howell
With the insurgents supporting
Senator Howell. the situa ton Monday
would be exactly as il was during
the three DAYS q balloung earlier
IN the week with neither Seaetxf
Cummins nor Senator Smith ofrxouth
Carolina. the denzc .rnxsc candidate.
able to master ss.e ma a1or4ty neees-
sary for electlon.
In anna cifg Esss the insurgents
would SUP Senator Howell. who
ranks last anang the republican
members Of the interstate commerce
committee. Senator Norris said the
insurgents had been approached by
an emissaIv II the so-calied regular
republicans. and the proposition ha.
been made u as thai n selecting the
chairman OF this committee. the rule
OF seniority should be overthrown and
selection for chairman be made
from other members Of the commit
tee. regardless Of length Of service
either in the senate or on the com
mittee"
Our contention IS that the author
and principal defender Of the Eseh-
cummins law should not be chairman
Of the committee that win have con
sideration of any proposition to repeal
or amend it
IN order 10 break the deadlock.
therefore. we have decided 10 follow
this suggestion. Senator Norris add
ed. and when halloting is resumed
next Monday We expect TO cast our
votes for. Senator Howell. a member
Of the interstate commerce commit
tee. with the hope that our effort Il
compromise will be acceptable TO our
associates and the deadlock broken.
II Senator Couzens is more Sstisfae-
tory than Senator Howell. we win
be glad 10 unite on him"
Confer With Democrats in House.
For time today 1t appeared prob
able that a coalition would be formed
between house insurgents and demo-
Gratis 10 displaee two Republicans Sc
lected fer membership on the rulcs
committee and TO elect as members
an additional democrat and one in
surgent. Conferences were held
throughout the day between men,
bers OF the various factions, after
which republican organization and
democratic leaders said an agreement
might be reached whereby the MI
nority would be given an additional
seat. making the committee member
ship seven republicans and FIVE demo
Gratis
This - the ratio democrats insis; ea
upon when congress convened with
the republican majority in the house
greatly reduced The republican coin-
mittee on committees. however. de-
oided that the apportionment which
prevailed in the s7th congress should
continue and the revolt today on IN.
part OF the democrats largely was the
result OF this action.
Unable 10 muster a majority when
the question OF approving the com.
mitiee personnel comes un in the
house. a number ef democrats pro
posed that an alliance be forinci with
the insurgenss. a proposal tha; Vas
welcomed BY the latter. Who suggest.
Ell that an agreement be reached %
place an outsand-ou; insurgent on the
committee as well As one more DEM
ocrai
Conversations between republican
organization and democratic leaders.
however. developed willingness "a
the part OF At less, some Of thu re-
puhloans 70 give thu democrats a
fifth committee scat. the understand.
Ing eeins that tho minority As unft
would not align Itself With the in-
surgents 10 disturb further tho pros-
pect committee personnel
Meantime. action on the COMMITTEES
personnel by tho house has definite.
" been deferred untll next week. Thi.
win delay organisation of the NAYS
and means committee which had
planned 10 hegia constipation e tax
reduction legislation next Monday.
Representative orcen II Iowa. ha
has been selected 81 chairman VII
.oah the members together As Scen a.
the house has aispnSca ~ The ~
mittec question