New Britain herald., 1927-03-08
NORRIS AMENDMENT GREATLY NEEDED

| -N''iN'Nb'7 V GREATLY NEEDED The recent fiasco of filihustering i in the Senate again calls attention
 10 the efforts that have been made to provide a constitutional amend ment 10 abolish the short session Of 1 Congress, one that constitu,ionally is cnly % days in length and which consistently brings about a jam in legislation and filibustoring at the closing days.
 senator Norris constitutional amendment 10 abolish the short ses- sion was among the important measures that failed when the short session died. The Norris amend ment has been approved by the Sen ate in each 0: the last three con- gressos. This time the Norris amend ment was blocked by the failure of House leaders 10 bring it 10 a vote in the lower body in advance of the final adjournment.
 The Norris amendment is so logic
 al q way to prevent the recurrence of the short session legislature jams | and filibustoring that one must won der why it is not put through Con- 1 gross and placed before the states as constitutional amendment. AL though constitutional amendments per SC are more or less unpopular at this time. here is one that gives every promise Of attaining quick ratification by the states should it be placed before the respective leg
 slatures.
 The Norris amendment would abolish the short session by proyid- ing for the expiration of House and Senate terms on the first Monday in January, Instead of the fourth day of March, and moving the day for the commencement Of the regular sessions of Congress forward from the first Monday in December 10 the first Monday in January. The adop- ton Of the amendment would give two sessions of Congress, each of
 which could run full year if ncc- csSary, and would bring the new Congress into existence two months after the November election.
 The amendment is favored on all sides, by the leading lights of both parties; but somehow 1t never gets out of Congress in time for pres cntation 10 the states. The reason is being sough, and one opinion pre- yaiing is that certain politicians in the House arc a bit afraid of this improvement. They take pride in be- ing "Cons"rEdtiyc.' which state Of mind the late Woodrow Wilson once said typifi"d q desire to walk back wards They fear constitutional amendment If this supposition is correct. they ought to realize that the stat" legislatures are as well GualIfi"l to judge the merits Of tho proposed amendment as Congress is; an1 In all conscience the states should be given a chance to ox- press their views on subject. sec ing that the legislation that Congress g.ts nussod up with at the short sessions affect all the people.
 Senator Norris, who by inc way is an opponent of cloturc, which limits debate in the Senate Of two-thirds Of thr senators vote for ii. had u f.w r.mutks to make about the ro- cent GHrusfer which ought 10 sink ln'o th- puhun c"u-rirHco:
 "TIds situation will be confronting us two u.ars from uow," he de- rIar'1 "bocmse everybody knows that a4 The business Of inc country Increases legislation increases, and as Inc population Increases thu work Of Congress increases. and the dead lock will b" Wol-a every two years, as jh" 'ui of every Congress recurs. 1T it Were known that In few hours will com" th" time when We must adjourn hy constitutional limi- tatjou these ilbust,rs Woull not have been attempted, and We would have tf9nsactcd perhaps all of the business uow clutt,ring ID tho journal and the calendar of the $,ua'"."
 This caguo' be denied. Vt h" way out uI the difficulty. by dDing away with the short session, finds gingerly acceptance in the House merely because Speaker Longworth and < few of his cronies are said