The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-03-06
WHITE-NORRIS
RES0LU TI0N
is DISCUSSED
Proposal Would Abolish What
Are Known as Lame
Duck Sessions
FIVE HOURS FOR DEBATE
Several Amendments Will Be
Offered Vote May Be
Reached Thursday

washington. March C.--tF9--The
advisability Of another change in
the constitution framed by the
nations founders-an amendment to
abolish the "lamc duck" or biannual
three month sessions Of congress
and clarity provisions dealing with
presidential succession = today was
the question facing the house.
Under a previous agreement, the
White Norris resolution proposing
that tfa terms Of president and vice
president end at noon January "a
and those of senators and represent
ativcs at noon January 4, instead Of
March 4. was tho special order of
business with leaders of the opinion
that a final vote would not be
reached until Thursday at the earli-
est. Five hours, or insufficient time
for each Of the 435 members to
speak for one mintuc. had been set
aside for general debate.
The resolution then will be con-
sidered under procedure permitting
amendments, number of which are
expected.
Senate Approves Measure
Drafted by Representative White.
Republican, Kansas. the resolution
IS substitute for one sponsored by
Senator Norris. Republican, Nebras-
ka, and already approved by the
senate.
The latter action was by a two
thirds vote, which also will be neces-
sary in the house. After that three
fourths OF the state legislatures
must ratify the proposal. Presiden-
tial approval is not required.
Under the resolution congress. as
at present, would assemble at least
once each year In the odd lumber
ed years congress would meet Janu-
ary 4, but would be given authority
to set another cate.
In each even-numbcrcd wear. II
wclld meet January 4, and adjourn
on or before noon May 4. At pres
ent, congress meets the first Mon
day in December each year. In even
years it may continue in session 12
months, but in odd years it must ad-
journ by noon March 4.
Would Take Office Quickly
The elections committee, Of which
Representative White is chairman,
holds that the changes in meeting
dates would enable newly elected
congressman to take office and be
prepared to carry out policies on
which it was elected within about
two months after election. At pres
sent, it is pointed out, the new con-
gress, unless called into special ses-
sion, does not convene for Is months
after election.
Under the change, the long scs-
sion would follow immediately after
the November elections and the pro-
posed four-month sessions would
occur in the years in which long scs-
sions now occur. The committee
contends that this change would en-
able members to get away from
Washington in May of election years
and personally conduct their CAM
paigns for reelection.
The White resolution further pro-
vides that if the president-elcct
should die before taking office, con.
gress would be empowered to pro-
vide by law in the case of death Of
both president and vice president
elect. The constitution at present
does not cover such contingency.
Other Changes
In event the choice Of a president
should fall to the house of repre-
sentatives, and the huose should fail
to make choice before the incum-
bent's term expired, the vice presi-
dent chosen by the senate would act
as president until the house should
choose. Congress would be empow-
cred to provide for the possibility
Of the senate failing to make 4
choice by the required time. At
present it is held that the constitu-
tion fails to state whether q vice
president elected by the senate prior
to = presidential choice by the house.
would continue as president or sur
render the office to the person
chosen by the house for president.
The resolution also would author
izc congress to take care Of emer-
gencies where the election af pres
ident fell to the house and that Of
vice president to the senate and one
or more Of those from whom the
two bodies must choose should die.