Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-05
SENATE MAY RULE
ON VARE SEAT PLEA
At SESSION TODAY
Opponents Predict Adverse
Decision as Complications
Arise on Floor.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The case of William S. Ware, Sena-
tor-elect from Pennsylvania, who for
three years has not been permitted to
take his seat because of charges of
excessive expenditures and fraud in his
primary campaign, may be settled by
the Senate before adjournment today.
1t was predicted by opponents of
Ware that it would be settled adversely
TO him, notwithstanding the plea made
by Mr.. Ware on the floor of the Senate
yesterday.
The Norris resolution denying Ware
a seat in the Senate was pending when
the Senate met at 1920 o'clock this
morning. The situation was compli-
Gated, however, by report of the COM
mlttee on privileges and elections on
the contest brought by William B. Will
son. Wares Democratic opponent in the
1926 senatorial election. Wilson claimed
the seat himself on the ground there
had been fraud in the senatorial elec-
ton.
Majority Gives Him Election.
A majority of the committee reported
that Ware had received majority of
the legally cast votes in the election,
and that Ware was elected, although ad-
nnitting there had been fraud and ir-
regularity in the election.
The Democratic members of the
committee, although they concurred in
the report that Wilson had not been
elected, held that Ware had not been
properly elected because of the frauds
perpetrated, and that, therefore, Ware
was not entitled to seat in the Senate.
A demand was made by Chairman
Shortridge of the privileges and elec-
tions committee that the committee
report be acted upon before a vote was
taken on the Norris resolution. Such a
course was opposed stoutly by Senator
Norris.
May Declare Seat Vacant.
1t appeared likely that an amendment
would be offered to the Norris resolu-
ton in effect declaring that the contest
brought by Mr.. Wilson was denied and
that Ware had received a majority of
! the votes. Such a course, it was point
ed out, would make it possible for the
Senate to act on the Wilson-Vare con-
test immeditealy before IL passed on the
eligibility of Mr. Ware.
If Mr.. Ware is denied a seat in the
Senate, as it Is now expected he will
be denied, the seat will be declared va
! cant. Under Pennsylvania law, the
! governor. a Republican, will be in a
position to appoint some one to fill the
vacancy until the November, 1880, cleo
| ton. For practically three years Penn
sylvania has had but one sitting Sena-
tor, Senator David A. Reed.
Senator Shortridge, chairman of the
privileges of elections committee, sub
n1itted report of his committee on
the WilSon-Vare contest as soon as
70 a11h6
unanimous consent for its immediate
| consideration.
Norris Objects.
Senator Norris of Nebraska objected
| demanding that the Senate proceed and
| vote on his own resolution denying
| Wares seat in the Senate.
A motion was then made by Senator
/ Shortridge to take up the committee
! Senate Immediately over the question
of precedence. Senator Borah of Idaho
/ joined Senator Norris in demanding
action on the pending resolution.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, the
! Democratic leader lectured the Senate
| for throwing away time over questions
| of precedence when important legisla-
| the proposal TO lay aside the Norri!
! resolution, which he pointed out has
been on the Senate calendar since last
/ September.
Reed Threat Is Charged.
Senator Norris warned the Senate
that If his resolution were laid aside
| and the Senate committee report wa.
| taken up his resolution might be de.
layed for long time. He said thai
Senator Reed of Pennsylvania haC
! threatened a filibuSter until the re.
port OF the privileges of election com.
mittee on the Wiison-Vare contest wa!
submitted
I'VE can't vote now because of a
filibuster," shouted Senator Norris, al
though the report of the committee Is
now before the Senate. / will tell you
why they do not want to vote on the
Norris resolution. 1t is because it lays
before the country the proposition that
a man who spends an eXhorbitant
amount III a primary campaign shall
be excluded from the Senate. ever
though he may afterwards be elected
to the Senate.
Senator Norris insisted that if The
! committees report were adopted, which
finds that Ware holds legal majority
OF the ballots cast in the Pennsylvania
election in 1925, the next step to bt
taken by Wares supporters would be 6
demand that Ware be permitted to takC
the oath of office, since he had received
the election.
Robinson Urges Amendment.
7 Interrupting Norris. Senator Robin
son Of Arkan sas, declared that if tn
Senate wished To vote first ON h
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