Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-08
SENATE EXPECTED
TO ASK RETURN OF
SMITH NOMINATION
Power Commission Head May
Be Hit in Vote, Possibly
Tomorrow.
PRESIDENTS COMPLIANCE
DOUBTED BY LEADERS
Issue Likely to Be Settled by
Courts, Administration Circles
on Hill Say.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The Senate is expected to vote to re-
quest President Hoover to return the
nomination of DR.. George Otis Smith,
chairman of the new Federal Power
Commission, it was admitted in admin
istration circles at the Capitol today.
DR.. Smith and two other members of
the Power Commission, Commissioners
Draper and Garsaud, incurred the hos
tility of progressive members of the
Senate on both sides of the chamber
when they declared vacant the posi-
tons of solicitor and chief accountant
of the old power commission, held by
Charles A. Russell and william v. King,
respectively. These officials have been
described as opponents of power trusts.
May Vote Tomorrow.
A vote on the motions of Senator
Walsh of Montana to request the
President to return to the Senate the
nominations of the three commissioners
and to reconsider the votes by which
the Senate confirmed those nominations
may be reached tomorrow An effort
was made by Senator McNary, assistant
Republican leader, to obtain unanimous
consent to limit the debate after 4
O'Clock this afternoon and to vote at
s O'Clock. Senator Walsh objected to
the agreement, saying that he knew a
number of Senator'S who still wish to
discuss the matter.
While administration Senators adj
mitted today that the opponents of DR..
Smith in the Senate probably had the
votes to reconsider the confirmation of
pressed the opinion that President
Hoover would not send back to the Sem
ate DR.. Smiths or the nominations of
the other two commissioners under at
tack They pointed out that DR.. Smith
and the other commissioners have re-
ceived their commissions from the Presi-
dent and have been sworn in. The
matter, in their opinion, will have to
go to the courts for final determination,
provided the Senate does vote to ask the
President to return the nominations
and the President declines to do so.
Close Decision Possible.
The vote, it is expected, will be close
and much viii depend upon how large
an attendance of the Senate there Is
at the time the ron is called. It was
learned today that Is Republican Sem
ators are expected to vote for the re-
turn of the nominations. The Senate
at present is made up of SO Republicans,
AZ Democrats and / Farmer-Labor. A
number of the Democrats may vote
with the majority of the Republicans
against the recall of the nominations
from the President.
However, the opinion was expressed
today in informed quarters that the
Walsh motion probably would carry,
although by narrow margin. Some OF
the Senators are out Of the city and
it is possible that the refusal on the
part Of Senator Walsh to agree TO a
vote today may be due to the fact
that it is necessary to get these votes
back
BrattOn Backs Walsh.
After Senator Walsh had declined to
agree to vote late today, Senator Brat
ton of New Mexico, Democrat, took the
floor and addressed the Senate in sup
port Of Senator Walsh's motion to re-
consider. He attacked DR.. Smith and
the other commissioners because of the
removal from office Of Mr.. Russell and
Mr.. King.
A report has been spread about the
Senate Chamber that the Federal Power
Commission might restore Russell and
King to their former positions. Even If
this is done, however, Senator Walsh
and others who are seeking reconsidera-
ton of the nominations say they will
not drop the fight, but will demand re-
consideration.