Evening star., 1932-11-20
Suggest Giving Democrats
Control During Short
Session of Congress.
INDEPENDENTS READY
TO BOW TO VOTERS WILL
Desire to Garry Out Spirit of Lame
Duck" Amendment Is Real
Object of Move.
BY the Associated Press.

bS tLle ASSOSldIcu FASSo'
Discussion by Republican independent
Senators of a move to turn control of
the Senate over TO the Democrats i'm
mediately gave added hope yesterday
to those who want the coming short
session of Congress to change the pro-
hibition laws.
The proposal to put the Democrats
in power at the short session, without
waiting for the new Congress to come
in, was seriously considered by a group
of Western Republicans, including
some who supported Franklin D. Roose-
velt, the Democratic presidential nomi-
nee, and others who did not.
Such a move would place the Demo-
Gratis, with their platform calling for
immediate submission of a repeal
amendment and modification of the
Volstead act, in charge OF the organiza-
ton on both sides of Capitol Hill.
Overshadows Other Issues.
Even before discussion of this Pro-
posal was revealed yesterday, however,
the possibility of a change in the pro-
hibition laws at this session had over
shadowed other issues IN statements
from members gathering for the open
ing Of Congress.
Wet and dry leaders we're Watching
these pronouncements closely for line
on what effect the recent elections
would have on the hold-oYer Congress
in connection with the prohibition
question.
Many of the returning members, IN
cluding some who have been support
ers of the dry laws in the past, have
predicted or advocated either legalizing
beer or submitting repeal resolution
at the short session.
The prediction that nothing will be
done has come from one man only,
Senator Borah, Republican, of Idaho,
though many of the former dry leaders
have not yet returned to have their say.
Prohibition, however, was not behind
the move discussed by the independ-
ents. Rather, it was the desire to carry
out the spirit of the "lame-duck''
amendment now awaiting ratification
by the States.
Some Democrats Oppose Plan.
The chief purpose of this proposed
constitutional change is to give imme-
date expression to the will of the elec-
torate, instead of waiting four months
as under the present system. Those
talking now of giving the Democrats
immediate control of the Senate con-
tended their move would carry out the
will OF the voters as expressed No.
yember 8.
Some Of the Democratic leaders were
not anxious to assume responsibility
for conduct of the Senate under such
conditions without an actual working
majority of Democratic votes and they
planned to discourage the proposal.
Republican leaders were going for
ward with plans for the session on the
assumption they would retain control.
Discussing suggestions for turning the
Senate over to the Democrats. Senator
McNary, assistant Republican leader,
said
L assume the Republican organiza-
ton of the Senate will not resign its
responsibility to the party and the
country and that it will go forward with
the program Of rehabilitation in har-
mony with the Democratic House as
lar as 1t can. I expect no move of that
nature"
Back Party Platform.
Virtually all of the Democratic Sem
ators who have returned to Washing
ton have declared their support of the
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