Evening star., 1931-12-01
Action Must Not Be Dodged,
Floor Leader Declares
Before Caucus.
RULES LIBERALIZATION
PROVES KEY IN HOUSE
Victorious New Yorker Plans to
Unite Support of Both Progress
sives and Dry Law Foes.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

THE prohibition issue must be met
In the coming session of Congress"
declared Representative Bertrand II.
Smell of New York, speaking as Re-
publican party leader today.
AS Republican leader, I intend to
do all within my power to give those
seeking decision on the prohibition
question an opportunity to get vote
in the House this session." he con-
tinued.
He emphasized that liberalization Of
the rules would allow this question to be
brought up, and that he is willing 70
have the number of signatures required
on petition TO discharge a committee
from consideration of the bill on which
1t has been sleeping small enough to al
low members of the House an Opportu-
nifty to vote on any subject of general
interest
Ready for Compromise.
Speaking also as party leader, Mr..
Smell declared that in any party caucus
or conference. on matters large or small,
the so-called Progressives would be in
vtted in, and, as party leader, he was
willing to compromise his personal
views to secure united Republican
action.
He declared that in his work as party
leader ne desired to have the support
rf the entire Republican party, and to
Secure this was willing to listen to and
compromise with any group of Repub-
.lican members.
! Reminded that this sounded as
though he intended to conduct an in
tensive Republican campaign looking to
the next general election, Mr.. Smell
declared:
"It is my hope to lead the Repub-
lican party in the House on program
that VIII win the support of the entire
country. entirely mindful of the fact
that Republican members classed as
ProgreSsives come from States which
are stronger in their Republican al-
legiance than some of the States rep
resented by those who have been con-
sidered Republican conservatives and
stslwarts.
Program Unftes @. d. Y.
The Republican House mennhers-elect
went into the caucus today united on
program of liberalizing the rules Id such
q way that the prohibition question can
be brought to q vote in the incoming
session Of Congress.
Leaders of the so-called Progressives
were called into conference with the
Rules Committee today on the draft Of
proposed changes In the rules which
Representative Smell win present to the
Republican caucus, rs directed by the
caucus last year.
Following lengthy meeting OF the
Progressive leaders with members Of
the Rules COMMITTEES today, both Rep
resentatiye Smell and Representative
La Guardia OF New York, speaking for
the Progressives, declared that there
was complete agreement on this pro-
gram, although there would be debate
and decision In the caucus as to the
number Of signers required on the peti-
tton to discharge committee.
They have met US more than half
way, and we are quite well satisfied
with the program for liberalizing the
rules" declared Representative La
Guardia. who has been one Of the OUT
standing members in demanding
changes in the rules.
Proposes las Signers.
Mr.. Smell win propose to the caucus
that the rules provide for las signers
to petition to discharge q committee.
Representative La Guardia and his
supporters viii contend for 100 signers.
Smell has admitted that he would be
perfectly willing to compromise on 135.
La Guardia admitted that he would
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