Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-13
Montana Senator ReverSes
Attitude, Claiming Former
Cabinet Member Failed to
Act in Oil Scandal.
FIRST VOTE EXPECTED
ON MOVE TO RECOMMIT
Reference of Appointment Back to
Judiciary Committee Would Give
Idea of Opponents Power-Glass
Is Hopeful Confirmation Will Be
Refused.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Senator Thomas J. Walsh of
Montana, one of the four Demo-
Gratis who voted in the judiciary
committee to report favorably the
nomination of Charles Evans
Hughes to be Chief Justice, today
determined to cast his vote in the
Senate against Mr.. Hughes.
Senator Walsh said this after
noon, when questioned about the
matter, that he had been impelled
to change his mind by two con-
SiderationS, first, the fact that Mr..
Hughes had left the Supreme
bench to seek the presidential
election, and, second, that Mr..
Hughes had never raised his voice
in denunciation of the oil scandals
of the Harding administration
Mr.. Hughes was Secretary of
State, a member of the cabinet,
at the time of the disclosures of
award of the leases of the naval
oil reserves.
The first vote in the Senate in
connection with the Hughes nom
ination is expected to come on a
motion to be made by Senator
Norris of Nebraska to recommit
the appointment of Mr.. Hughes to
the Senate judiciary committee.
It is possible that such a motion
will receive the support of more
Senators than would vote against
confirmation. If the Norris mo-
ton to recommit is voted down,
it is expected that confirmation
would soon follow, as the vote on
recommitting would be considered
a test of strength.
Meanwhile, opponents Of Hughes were
working like beavers to gain more votes
against him, but the situation found
supporters of Mr.. Hughes still with a
substantial majority to vote for con-
firmation.
The snipers were at work, however,
and other reports of detection from the
Hughes support were coming in. A
strong political appeal is being made
both by Democratic opponents of Mr..
Hughes and by members of the Re-
publican progressive group. Opposition
to his confirmation developed first
among Republicans progressives, with
Senators Norris, Borah and Blaine lead
ing it.
Senator Norris said today he believed
a vote would be taken before adjourn
ment today. He added that he thought
there would be substantial opposition,
however, when the votes we're counted
Senator Glass Of Virginia, active among
the Democrats in opposition to the con-
flrmation of Mr.. Hughes, was hopeful
that the Senate would reject the nomi-
nation. Senator Watson, Republican
leader, on the other hand, predicted
favorable action, with plenty of votes
to spare.
Whether a vote could be had before
adjournment today was problematical.
Opponents of Mr.. Hughes have seen the
list Of opposinGs votes grow from mere
handful to perhaps 80 or IS. They
have been fighting for delay of the vote
on the nomination, although avoiding
as far as possible any criticism for fill
clustering, and insisting that the debate
Is entirely legitimate.
1t is noticeable, however, that Sem
atorS who day or two ago said they
had no intention of speaking have now
been pressed into line to address the
Senate against the confirmation.
Senator Watson, who gave notice Just
before the Senate adjourned yesterday
that he would seek to keep the Senate
in continuous session today and tonight
If necessary to get a vote, said he
hoped the nomination would be dis
posed of before o'clock tonight. He
indicated that if vote were not reached
by that time the nomination probably
would go over for another day.
The plain truth of the matter is that
move svI q G.:.ggat session tonight
might not be successful. Many of the
Democratic Senators who are expected
to vote for the Hughes confirmation
are unwilling TO vote for a night ses-
sion. All of the opponents Of Mr..
Hughes would probably vote against it.
The fight against confirmation has
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