Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-11
INSURGENTS WEIGH
CHANCES IN FIGHT
TO BLOCK HUGHES
Overwhelming Ballot Favor
ing His Appointment Is
Seen by Watson.
SENATE LEADER EXPECTS
VOTE TO BE TAKEN TODAY
Harrison Declares Democrats
Should Confirm Him to Prevent
Charge of Playing Politics.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The nomination of Charles Evans
Hughes, former Secretary of State, to be
Chief Justice will be called up for con-
sideration in the Senate late this after
noon, Senator. Watson, Republican
leader, said when the Senate met today
Senator Watson predicted an over
whelming vote in favor of Mr.. Hughes
Despite the fact that Mr.. Hughes
confirmation seems assured beyond a
doubt, there were signs of growing OPP
position among the Senators today
Perhaps a dozen or more will vote
against his confirmation as Chief JUS
tice. Among them will be Senator Borah
of Idaho, Senator Norris of Nebraska.
Senator Brookhart of Iowa, Senator La
Toilette of Wisconsin, Senator Blaine,
Wisconsin, all members Of the Repub-
lican progressive group. and Senator
Carter Glass of Virginia, Senator
Wheeler of Montana and probably Sena-
tor BleaSe of South Carolina, Demo-
Gratis. Several Senators said today that
they had not made up their minds now
they would vote.
Final Action Is PrOblematicaI.
Senator Watson said he believed that
a vote would be had on the Hughes
nomination before adjournment today.
But with a growing number of prospec-
tive speakers on the nomination, final
disposition of the nomination today ap-
peared problematical Senator Norris,
chairman of the Senate judiciary COM
mittee, which reported Mr.. Hughes'
nomination favorably yesterday by a
vote of 10 to 2, sounded of for the OPP
position late yesterday afternoon, when
he addressed the Senate in open execu-
tive session. At that time, consideration
If the nomination was prevented by an
objection of Senator Blease of South
Carolina, and under rule the nominal
ton went to the calendar and over
until today.
THE nomination of Mr.. Hughes to
be Chief Justice is entirely satisfactory
to the country" said Senator Watson.
IF there are Senators who are OPP
posed to him who think that they VII
gain by holding up confirmation in the
Senate, let them do so. The country
will not approve their course. I be-
lieve that we will reach vote on Mr..
Hughes nomination this afternoon. But
whenever we do reach that vote, this
afternoon or later, his appointment as
Chief Justice will be Overwhelmingly
approved by the Senate"
Harrison Asks Confirmation.
Senator Harrison, Democrat, of Mis-
sissippi, said that he itnended to vote
for the confirmation of Mr.. Hughes and
that for the Democrats to take any
other course, in view Of the outstanding
position and character of Mr.. Hughes,
would be to lay themselves open to the
charge of playing politics in connec-
ton with this appointment.
Among those who will speak in OPP
position to the confirmation of Mr..
Hughes are Senator Brookhart and
perhaps, Senators Borah and Blaine.
Senator Watson said he did not believe
that any Of the supporters Of Mr..
Hughes would get into the debate and
make extended speeches.
I'VE will let our votes speak for him, u
said Senator Watson.
Members of the progressive group in
the Senate were wondering whether
they would lose ground in the country
If they undertook to make a protracted
fight against the appointment Of Mr.
Hughes.
Norris views were given to the SEN
ate in a prepared statement which he
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