Evening star., 1928-03-09
FOUR-yEAR TERM
" LOSES IN HOUSE
Proposal in Increase Tenure
of Members Voted Down,
xx~~7 to 80.

The House cast into discard late yes
terday q proposal to increase from two
to four years the tenure of office Of Its
membership.
This action came on a motion to re-
wise the pending lame duck" consti-
tutional amendment before single
member other than the author had had
an opportunity to raise his voice in Its
behalf. The proposal was then smoth-
cred by a vote Of 207 to 80.
The four-year term proposal was Of
fered by Representative Bankhead, an
Alabama Democrat, VINO contcnded that
inasmuch as the amendment would
change the convening date Of Congress
from the first Monday in December to
January 4. that lengthening OF the
term Of the House member could DE
considered also.
presiding over the House at the time
Representative Lehlbach, a New Jersey
Republican. took different view and
rejected the proposal as not IN order
Bankhead was then voted down on an
effort to reverse the decision OF the
chair.
A proposal was presented by Represen-
tative Ch,ndblom Republican. Illinois
designated to eliminate from the
amendment all reference to change II,
congressional and presidential inaugural
meeting dates.
Measure Condemned.
II this should carry. the amendment
would be stripped of all provisions save
those providing for the SucceSsions 70
the presidency in the event OF the
death or deaths of the President and
Vice President ELECT and in other such
contingencies.
The debate yesterday engulfed up
ward of twoscore OF the House men,
bership and drew into Its mesh many
of those most active in It's functioning
Tilson Of Connecticut. the Republican
leader. opposed the amendment. declar-
ing 'its adoption will be an un-
fortunate mistake. which those rcipon-
sible for 1t should never cease TO
regret"
He was supported BY the veteran
Martin Madden of Illinois, chairman
of the appropriations committee. and
viii Wood of Indiana. another ReEub-
lican stalwart In the House. These in
turn were joined by Montague and
Moore. both Virginia Democrats. and a
host OF other Southern members.
On the other side another formidable
array was presented. Members Of the
committee that framed the amendment,
known as the White-Norris resolution.
warmly urged its approval, declaring
that IL would correct deficiencies in
governmental operation that should not
longer exist. Under the leadership of
White OF Kansas. co-author OF the pro-
posal. and Clifford OF Massachusetts,.
both Republicans. they directed an
attack at the arguments Of the oppo-
nents and frequently challenged state
ments forthcoming from the opposition
camp.
Defeat Is Predicted.
As to what the outcome OF the
amendment will be, predictions were In
conflict. Under the Constitution a two
third vote is necessary for approval
and one faction claimed that this sup
port could be mustered. while the other
argued that more than a third of the
House had made up Its mind to vote no
In addition to the Chindblom proposal
upward OF a haf-dozen amendments
await action. Several propose sweeping
changes In the. Nations organic law
one by Representative Garrett OF Ten.
nessec. the Democratic leader. suggest.
ing single seven-year term fol-
Presidents.
Another would eliminate the provi.
sion that the proposed four-month ses-
sion should end automatically or
May 4, while others would remove
specific meeting and adjournment dates
hat hat fxA 80
gress should convene and adjourn with
given periods The latter is Endorsed
by Jeffers OF Alabama. ranking Demo.
crat on the committee that drafted the
White Norris amendment
During debate yesterday Wood whs
heads OF Republican congressional
campaign committee. in arguing agains
the amendment expressed the hope
that before long steps would be taker
10 repeal the seventeenth amendme ent
which provides for the election of Sen.
atorS by popular vote. He predicted
that II the House were called upon Il
pass on this provision at the present
only about Is members would support 1t
Called "Quack" Remedy.
Stobbs a Massachusetts, Republican
interrupted an attack on the rcsolu.
ton by Chairman Smell Of the House
rules committee. to inquire what woulc
have been the situation II In 1851 tho
election OF President had been thrown
into the House.
Buchanan, a Democrat. was Presi.
dent, and both houses we're controlled
by that party. he said, The people In
November had repudiated the Demo.
Gratis. he went on. and yet under the
present system this party was In con.
troll OF the House.
Smell contcnded that the evils OF thu
resolution were greater than those Il
would correct. while Moore described the
resolution as a "quack remedy for the
supposed lame-duck evil" Montague
said that he knew some lame ducks
that walked better after they became
lame.