Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-18
YOUTH OF IA, FACING BREAKING
AND ENTERING CHARGE, FREED
BY JUDGE IN SUPERIOR COURT
HOUSE REGULARS
I VICE REPuLSE
COALITION ASSAULT

Washington. Jan. 1.-Two unsuc-
cessful efforts-one championed by Re.
publican organization leaders and the
other by the Democrats and Republican
insurgents-were made today to change
the recommendations of the House
rules committee as to the number of
signatures to be required on petitions
for the discharge of committees. AS a
result the minimum fixed by the COM
mittee--150 names-wili stand unless
\ move, backed by sufficient votes, Is
made to alter it as the fight over rules
continues tomorrow.
After three days of debate on the
discharge of committees proposition
the House got down to voting late in
the day on an amendment by Repre-
sentative Graham. Republican. Hi.
| nois. TO require signatures of at least
half of the members of the House on
such petitions. Although Republican
organization leaders had expressed
Willingness as a compromise TO accept
the rules committee recommendatio n
they swung their support to the Ora
ham proposal. Representative Long.
Worth. the party leader and Chairman
Madden of the appropriations commit.
Zee both urging it's adoption.
The Graham amendment. however
WAS rejected 205 to 1856. with 40 Re-
publicans voting against it and 81
Democrats supporting it. Practically
hll the Democratic leaders and most
of the House members identified with
the insurgent group voted in the neg.
htive.
II Repulsed on this vote. the Republi-
Ean organization succeeded few mo-
lfments later in defeating an amendment
lIby Representative Crisp, Democrat
IGeorgia, to fix the signature minimum
Nat 100. The vote was 2e5 to 16S, with
YES Democrats joining the Republicans
Bwhile II Republicans voted AYE
Again the insurgents cast their ballots
4 with the Democrats. as did Represent
natives Burger Socialist. Wisconsin;
FWefald. FarmcrLabor, Minnesota; and
Kvale. Independent. Minnesota, on both
roll calls.
Defeat of the two amendments. lead
ers on both sides agreed. practically
assured acceptance of the committee
figure, as no vote will be required to
ratify it except as the whole report Of
the committee comes up for approval
after the disposition of various amend
mcnts.
Mr.. Longworth and Chairman Smell
of the rules committee both said they
were certain the committee recommen-
dation would prevail. while leaders of
the Democrats and insurgents appear
ed satisfied in having been able to de-
feat the Graham amendment.
In the voting today the Democrats
were unable to present the solid front
they did on Monday when. with the aid
from the Republican Insurgents. they
brought about repeal of the Under
wood amendment rule. in the face of
opposition from the regular Republic
cans. That, provision. and those relat-
ing to the discharge of committees.
have been the main points of conten-
tfon in the rules fight, although the in
surgent group has announced it's in
tention of pressing for a number of
changes in House rules not recon-
mended by the rules committee.
Opposition to fixing n low number
Tor signatures on petitions for COM
mittee discharge. as 1t developed in
debate. was based largely on the con-
tcntion that it would give too much
power to the minority and might pre-
vent mature committee consideration
of legislation.