Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-29
Senate Action Sought.

President Hoover has announced his
determination to send to the Senate at
the short session, which begins Monday,
the protocol of adherence of the United
States to the World Court. 1t seems
quite obvious that with the mass of
legislative business which is to come be-
fore the Senate at this session there is
little chance for final disposition of the
World Court issue before the session S
close. Either the World Court must re-
main Enacted upon or some of the legis-
lation must go by the board. For the
opposition to the World Court in the
Senate is vociferous if it is not numeri-
cauy strong.
The Foreign Relations Committee of
the Senate its chairman, Senator Borah,
has announced, will be called upon to
give early consideration to the court
proposal. Senator Borah is one of the
opponents to the adherence of this coun-
try to the court. But he is also one of
those who have given notice that If GER
tain measures advocated by the Progress
sive group in the Senate are not put
through at the short session, then a spe-
cial session of the new Congress should
be in order. What more admirable
means to forestall action on appropria-
ton bills could be found than the World
Court protocol? The protocol doubtless
will be reported to the Senate from the
Foreign Relations Committee, If Senator
Borah has his way, soon after that COM
mittee has given it adequate considera-
ton. When 1t is before the Senate
Senator Borah would be in position to
move an executive session at any time
to bring up the protocol for debate. 1t
is well understood that the debate will
be long drawn out, although it is known
that the ma jority of the Senate is over
whelmingly in favor of ratification.
A majority Of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee might be in a
position, 1t is true, to withhold report
on the protocol at the short session.
But the pressure for favorable and
prompt action on the World Court issue
tocol would be in an awkward position
II they undertook 10 delay the agree
ment in committee while its opponents
were urging its report to the Senate.
President Hoover, in announcing his
determination TO send the protocol to
the Senate at the coming session, said
that he hoped 1t would be possible to
dispose Of it promptly and during the
short session. He added, however, that
the protocol should not be made an
instrument of obstruction in attempts
TO force an extra session of the newly
elected Congress. 1t seems impossible
for the President TO have both his
wishes fulfilled. While there Is a dispo-
Sition on the part of Democratic AS
well as Republican leaders in the Sem
ate and House to avoid an extra session
Of Congress in the Spring, the situation
is becoming more and more complex.
1t Is unfortunate that the legislative
situation in Congress should be used
In any measure TO delay consideration
Of the World Court protocol. Adher-
ence OF the United States to the court
is desirable. 1t should not be delayed
longer. There appears to be a wide
spread opinion that a special session
Of the newly elected Congress next
Spring should be avoided II possible.
Just why the country should fear q
session Of the legislative branch of its
Government Is not quite clear. The
thought 10 constantly advanced that
the country needs "a rest" with Con-
gress of the Job. If this be true, 1t is
q severe reflection on the elected rep
resentativeS of the American people.