Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-27
Regards Information on Len
root Vote Confidential, He
Tells Committee.
CASE CARRIED TO FLOOR
BY CHAIRMAN MOSES
Meeting of Committee Tomorrow
to Consider Amendments to
Secrecy Rules Proposed.

Paul r. Mallon. correspondent for the
United Press, today declined to reveal
to the Senate rules committee the
sources of the information upon which
he based his story of the record vote
on the Lenroot. nomination, taken in
secret executive session.
Mr.. Mallon told the committee that
he regarded as confidential the sources
of his information, and for that reason
would not disclose them.
After the committee had concluded
questioning Mr.. Mallon, it went into
executive session. Soon after the Sen
ate had met the case was carried to the
floor of the Senate by Chairman Moses
OF the rules committee.
Senator Moses told the Senate that
the committee had met to consloer
what will pass into history as lhe
Mallon case"
Senator Moses said, "It was the plain
consensus of opinion of the committee
at its executive session that two results
have followed as a consequence OF the
episode; one, that VIII y TOOK place
resulting in the Uarr1ng OF Representa-
tives of the press associations from tLle
floor of the Senate, the other Is an m
evitable amendment of the rules of the
Senate"
Meeting Tomorrow Proposed.
Senator Moses said it was proposed
+o hold a meeting of the rules commit
tee tomorrow to consider such amend
ments.
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
asked when the committee would make
a report on proposed amendments.
Senator Moses said that the present
sentiment of the committee ran the
gamut of full publicity to limited pup,
iicity. but that as chairman he Wouio
say that the matter would be pusneo
without delay.
Senator La Toilette called attention
10 the possible early recess or congress
and asked that some time be hxed 1or
report, possibly early next week. SEN
ator Swanson of Virginia, MEMBER Oh
the rules committee, said ne was Satis-
fed that a report could be made LII ~
days
Senator Jones of Washington said he
was not disposed to consent to Today
postponement. He is the author OF
resolution to open up the executive ses-
sions on nominations and clearly mas a
majority of the Senate behind him In
his fight for such an amendment.
Change in Rules Seen.
Finally. after further sparring. 1t
was agreed by unanimous consent, that
all pending motions to amend the rules
regarding executive session be re-
ferred to the rules committee, with m
strl1ctions to the rules committee to re-
port by Tuesday a week.
After the debate on the floor OF the
Senate. it was generally believed that
the rules committee will recommend a
modification of the rule OF secrecy re-
yarding executive sessions on nomlna-
tionS, and that the ngnI 1or puoilCity
would be won.
tt is believed that the Mallon case
will be dropped and that the rules Will
be amended so that hereafter roll calls
ON nominations taken in executive
session will be made public, even IL
the debate on nominations continues 70
be held behind closed doors.
Senator Jones proposed amendment
TO the rules would provide for open ex-
ecutive sessions on nominations unless
the Senate by a majority orders II
otherwise. His amendment also pro-
yioes that all roll calls on nominations
shall be published.
Inquiry Right Questioned.
At the outset or the nearing tooaS
the question was raised by Senator
Smoot of Utah, member of the rule:
committee, as to the authority of tht
committee to conduct the investigator
at ALL Senator Smoot contended thai
the Senate had given no such authority
to the committee on rules. Without
specific authority to make the investi,
CATION, he said. the committee coulo
not go forward.
Senator Moses, chairman of the rule:
committee, pointed to the usual resolu'
ton which is adopted authorizing com
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