Evening star., 1928-03-07
'NLAME DUCK VOTE
EXPECTED IN HOUSE
Debate Likely to Continue
Today on Bill. With Show
down Tomorrow.

House leaders expect to reach a vote
late tomorrow on the Norris-White res
olution. pending for four years, and
which the Senate already has passed,
to abolish by constitutional amend
r,ent the socalled lame duck" session
ct Congress. changing the inaugural
Gate from March 4 10 January "A. II
also provides for the succession 10 the
presidency by the Vice president-elect
IN the event Of the Presidents death.
and 1t would empower Congress to pro-
vide by law for succession in the event
Of the death Of both.
More than a score Of House members
spoke Yesterday before All unusually
large attendance, Approximately an
hour and a half remains for general
debate in addition TO the time that viii
be consumed il debate on amendments
that are 10 be proposed.
The amendment was Endorsed by both
REPRESENTATIVES Garrett OF Tennessee.
Democratic leader. and Burton OF
Ohio. one Of the powers in Republican
ranks
For four successive years the Senate
has passed similar resolution. put
YESTERDAY was the first time the Ques-
The Senate in approving the resolution
early this session did SO with two
thirds vote, which also will be neces-
ssrv il the House. Ratification by
three -fourtllS Of the State Legislatures
then would be necessary.
Approval by the President Is not re-
cU!red.
Would Meet January 4.
Abolition Of the lame duck" session
would be obtained by providing that
Congress convene January 4, after the
pending November elections.
This session. coming in odd num-
hered years, could run for II months.
end in even numbered years. under the
resolution, there would be four-month
session. ending May 4.
At present the long sessions come
IN the even numbered years. and the
short, or lame duck sessions. IN the
odd numbered years following the
November elections.
Representative Bankhead. Democrat,
Alabama announced he would seek ap-
rroval OF q provision 10 increase from
tvo 10 four years the term Of House
members Under his proposal. he said.
half OF the House membership would
be elected every two years somewhat
similar 10 the three-year rotation In
the Senate.
Several members. including Jefers OF
Alabama. Norton of Nebraska and
Lozier Of Missouri. opposed inclusion Of
specific date for adjournment OF the
four-morth sessions. contending this
should be left TO Congress to determine,
while Representative Merritt. Repub-
iican. Connecticut, opposed the amend
ment as q whole. He declared there
was no movement among the American
people for such a change in Govern
Ynent ard that Lame duck" sessions
had never caused the country any ma
teriai harm.
Talk Four-year Term.
Toward the close Of yesterdays Ses-
sion members spent more time discuss
ing the prospective Bankhead proposal
for four-year terms than the resolution
itself. and Representative Clifford, Re-
publican. Massachusetts, declared that
he regretted that this had been in
sected into the debate. Clifford said he
hoped the House would not take ad-
vantage Of the White proposal TO tack
or provision that would affect them
selves.
He also regretted that the phrase
flame duck" had been used By men,
bers. but Representative Smell, Repub-
Ecan, New York. said that the two
words, lame duck" was all that had
aroused interest IN the amendment and
made its consideration possible. II it
had not been for these words. Smell said.
nobody would have paid any attention
70 the question.
Representative Blanton, Democrat,
Texas. said he would vote against the
amendment as whole and especially
objected ~ the Bankhead four-year-
term proposal. contencing that the two
year tenure Of Office for House members
vas the greatest safeguard" the
American people have for good govern
n1ert
representative Summers. another
Texas Democrat. voiced opposition 10
the proposal 10 provide definite meeting
and adjournment dates, arguing that
This vas the pTeroga.ve os Congress,
II the provision remains unchanged, he
said he would vote against the amend
noen..
Two other Boiling OF Ala
baina and ouin Of Mississlppi-indorsed
tfe White resolution as a whole and
me !our-year-isrrn proposal. Others
Ecorsing the resolution included Lea
of California, Democrat. and Stobbs
G! Maksachi5etts and Newton Of Mime
sofs. both Republicans.
newton, however. defended the work
core " ne past al Lame DUCK" ses-
slonS; he'd the term vas q rnignorner
bit Saio fe be!!eVed the proposed
Change advisable.