Evening star., 1931-12-07
Texan Receives
2l8 Votes and
Smell, 2O7.
ROW FOR MOSES
POST IMPENDS
Change in Rules to
Allow Dry Law
Vote Forecast.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Faced with many economic and
domestic problems, the Seventy
second Congress opened today at
noon, while an army of unem-
ployed marchers milled outside
the historic Capitol.
The sessions in both Houses
were routine, but the atmosphere
was surcharged with excitement.
In the House the Democrats took
over control, electing Representa-
tive John N. Garner of Texas as
Speaker, their first since the late
Champ Clark ruled over the pro-
ceedings of that body.
In the voting for the speaker
ship, Garner received 218 out of
430 votes cast, while Representa-
tive Smell of New York, the Re
publican nominee, received 207
votes. Led by Representative
Kvale of Minnesota, the only
Farmer-Laborite in the House, the
so-called Progressives cast 5 votes
for Representative Schneider of
Wisconsin, although he had not
been nominated.
Garner, Smell and Schneider
voted present.
There was tension in the Senate
chamber, with the possibility of an
early row over the election of the presi-
dent pro tempore, an office now held
by Senator George II. Moses of New
Hampshire
BY a slender thread the Republicans
retain control OF the Senate They
have only 48 seats, but division In the
opposition gives them a. plurality. Their
traditional foes, the Democrats, have
only Al seats and the Farmer-Lanor
party /.
Throng Visits Capitol.
A huge .throng visited the Capitol TO-
day, some to watch the unemployed
marchers as they sought 10 lay their
petitions before Congress, and others to
witness the opening of the Congress
itself. The galleries in both chambers
were crowded early.
1t was the plan of the House leaders
to tackle proposals to amend the rules
OF that body as soon as organization
cratic and Republican caucuses have
adopted recommendations for changes
In the niles
The proposed amendment in which
the greatest amount of interest is CEN
tered would authorize las members, by
signing petition, to force vote In
the House on motion to discharge a
committee from the further consider
alton of any resolution or bill before it
In an effort TO have the bill or resolu-
ton taken up for consideration in the
House itself.
Change in Rules Forecast.
The recommendations of the Repub-
licans and Democrats in this regard
differ slightly in method of procedure
1t is believed, however, such change
in the rules will be made The posi-
bility of bringing an prohibition
resolution before the House by this
means during the coming session has
added considerably to the interest sur
rounding this proposed liberalization of
the rules
Action on the proposal to liberalize
House rules, which constitutes adop-
ton OF the rules of procedure for the
present session, was deferred until to-
morrow and the House adjourned about
2:20 O'Clock.
Later Speaker Garner said the Crisp
proposal, laid before the House by diL
rection OF the Democratic caucus, will
have the solid support of the Demo-
Gratis and he expected that from so to
rs Republicans also would vote for
these rules.
Democratic leaders went into confer
ence late this afternoon on the selection
of Program Committee to confer with
a similar committee of Senate Demo-
Gratis and Speaker Garner, who will be
member OF that committee, said he
expected the personnel of this commit
tee would be announced tonight.
Slate Due This Week.
The Speaker said the Democratic
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee constituting a Committee on
Committees will be able TO report their
slate OF committee appointments by the
END OF the present week.
The attendance in the House TODAY
was a record one, only two seats being |
vacant. Two hundred and nineteen |
Democrats, the party'S complete |
strength, was on hand to elect Speaker |
Garner, and one of the two vacancies on |
the Republican side was a seat yet to |
be fllled by special election
. In the Senate 80 newly elected. re- |
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