The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-25
Senators to Demand Action
on Secrecy Rule Before
Adjournment.
OPPONENTS BACK DOWN
Drastic Revision Pressed by
Jones: Norris Seeks to
Force Vote.
BY PAUL r. NALLON


WASHINGTON. Nav 25.-A for
midable group is being organized in
the Senate. it developed today. to
prevent the recess of Congress next
week unless the Senate acts to
amend its secrecy rule before that
time.
At the saIne time arrangements
we're completed for start of the
senate rules committee inquiry
Monday into alleged violations Of
the rule by senators.
Senator Wesley L. Jones. assist
ant Republican leader and author Of
4 pending plan to change the rules.
with Senator George Norris, who
has fought the secrecy restriction
Tor fifteen years. are forming a band
designed to force vote on the
issue
There are indications that the
few Republican leaders who Sternly
have opposed the suggested change
arc not only resigned now to a
modification of the rules, but will
champion specific plan for a
change.
One Of this group. Senator David
A. Reed of Pennsylvania. has an
nounced he would propose an
amendment whereby all presidential
nominations would be considered in
secret. provided the roll call votes
are officially made public.
Jones Has Drastic Plan
TY1fc 5c o lecc IVo il ,-ov-i-iD,, Ff.or,
proposed by Jones. who would pro-
vide for open debate on nominees
unless the senate. by ma iority vote.
decides otherwise. Senator Black
Of Alabama also has pending a plan
TO have all nominations considered
ana voted upon in open session.
The leaders are reported TO have
been won over To the change by the
public reaction expressed in news
papers throughout the country, and
through other public agencies. fol-
lowing publication by the United
Press Of the secret votes on con-
firmation of former Secretary Of In
terror Roy o. West and Customs
Judge Irvinue Lenroot. The West
roll was the first secret vote ever
published.
in view of this change of SEN
timent the rules committee in
yeStigation into recent senatorial
violations. of the old rule is not ex-
peCted to be pressed draStically. Only
Cne witness has been Subpoenaed,
the United Press correspondent who
obtained the two rolls. He is to be
questioned in open hearing Monday.
with privilege of counsel.
Senators Not to Be Called
It is considered hardly likely that
The committee will call each or any
of the ninety-flye sitting senators
10 ask if they gave out the rolls
Members of the committee are said
to be convinced it will be impossible
or impracticable TO determine the
source of the votes. A change In
the rules will settle the matter.
they think.
Jones plans to bring up his
amendment as soon as the senate
passes the reapportionment bill.
possibly late today. Senator Borah
OF Idaho also is seeking consiGera-
tiOA Of his periShable products
supervision bill upon which he has
been promised action before recess.
The farm conferees are to mold
their fifth meeting and although
they are in a close deadlock. an
agreement is expected to he re-
ported before the middle of next
week. The decision may lead to
extended senate discussion. because
of the probability that the senate
detenture amendment will be elm
mated from the bill.
May Delay Recess
Therefore it seems probable that
Jones and Norris may have to de
lay the recess scheduled a week from
today If they hope TO get action on
their rules revision. Other matters
may take up the intervening time.
The house is grinding out COM
promise farm amendments to the
tariIT bill like wheat from thrash
ing machine. There are ninety-one
amendments to be adopted and no
others are to be considered. All will
be cleared up in time for final pas
sage of the bill, scheduled for Tues