Evening star., 1923-12-01
G. o. P. Progressive Group
Conspicuous by Absence
From Meeting.
DEMOCRATS TO HOLD
CONFERENCE MONDAY
Committee Assignments Subject
for Discussion at Bi-Party
Session.

without fireworks Of any kind and
In accordance with plans previously
outlined. the republican caucus of the
Senate today reelected Senator Lodge
Of Massachusetts, as leader and Sem
atcr Curtis of Kansas as vice chair
man and whip"
The so-called progressive group,
however, was conspicuous ty its alb
sence from the caucus.
Senator Howell of Nebraska, who
has been listed a progressive, at
tended the conference.
Senators Norris of Nebraska, La
Toilette, Wisconsin; Ladd. North Da-
kota; Frazier. North Dakota. and
Brookhart of Iowa, although in Wash
ington and listed as republicans, did
not attend the conference. Senator
Borah of Idaho also did not go into
the conference. but the Idaho senator
has frequently remained away from
such conferences in the past
The progressives, 1t was learned to-
day. will agree to the organization of
the Senate as proposed by the regu-
lar republicans provided the pro-
gressiveS are given what they con-
slider adequate representation on the
standing committees.
Unless they get such representation
however. they may kick over the
traces and go so far as to join the
democrats in supporting Senator Key
Pittman of Nevada for President Pro
Tempore of the Senate. Their COM
bined strength, If such a course were
followed. would result in the election
Of a democrat as the presiding officer
of the Senate.
Entire slnte Adopted.
In addition to electing Senator
Lodge chairman and Senator Curtis
vice chairman of the conference, the
republican senator's elected Senator
Wadsworth of New York secretary of
the conference and nominated Rev.
]. J. Muir as chaplain of the Senate,
George A. Sanderson secretary, David
s. Barry sergeant-at-arms and c. A..
Loeftler assistant doorkeeper. This
slate went through without any op.
position.
The nomination of Senator Lodge
for chairman was received with pro-
longed applause.
Senator Lodge was authorized to
appoint committee on committees
which will assign senators to various
lied also to appoint a committee on
the order Of business, or steering COM
mittee. Senator Lodge and Senator
Curtis are to be ex-officio members
Of the steering committee. Senator
Brandegee, 1t Is expected, will be
chairman OF the committee on COM
mittees. Provision was made also for
the appointment of committee on
patronage, and 1t is likely that Sena-
tor Lenroot Of Wisconsin will head
that committee.
Republican senator's who are out of
the city and absent from the caucus
today were Senator'S Colt of Rhode
Island. Couzens of Michigan. Mclean
of Connecticut, Stanfield of Oregon,
Sterling of South Dakota, Norbeck of
South Dakota and Bursum of New
Mexico.
Short Monday Session.
Unless there should be some upset
Of the plans now made. the Senate
will be in session only a short time
Monday. New senators will be sworn
in and resolutions adopted fixing the
time of the daily meetings Of the
Senate and providing for the appoint
ment OF committee to walt upon the
President, along with a similar COM
mittee from the House. to inform him
that Congress Is in session and ready
to receive any communications he
may desire to make.
Senator Cummins Of Iowa will taxi
the chair as President pro tempore of
the Senate, and it was expected that
there will be no question raised as to
his right to that office. If there is
any contest over the office Of Presi-
dent pro tempore 1t will not come un-
til after President Coolidge has had
an opportunity to address the Con-
gress The Presidents address. IL is
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column A.