Evening star., 1935-04-24

Soon the Senate may be the scene
of a constitutional battle royal over
the right of young Senator-elect Rush
D. Holt, Democrat, of West Virginia
TO take his seat, even when he attains
the statutory age of 30. on June 49,
Matters have been suddenly precipi-
tated by the filing of a petition on
behalf OF former Senator Henry D.
Hatfield, Republican, defeated for re-
election by Mr. Holt last November
The petition argues that Holt should
be barred not only because he is under
the required age. but because. not
being a legal or qualified candidate" :"
he was not even eligible to run for
the Senate, and that the vote cast for
him was therefore OF no effect ="
Hatfield contends that Holt cannot
now or, until properly elected. at any
time in the future legally become a
member of the Senate" The petit
ton urges that Hatfield. who received
the next highest vote, be declared
elected in his stead. Holt claims that
the constitutional age provision does
not apply to an election, but only
when Senator ELECT appears to take
the oath of office This is the point
on which the issue is now joined.
It is altogether likely that the Demo-
cratic majority will seat Holt in due
course. but mea ntime. Hatfield sup
porters hope TO set the stage for a
historic constitutional field day in the
chamber.
It's years since any congressional
committee chairman had to carry the
mountainous responsibilities that now
pear down upon the broad shoulders
of Senator Pat Harrison, chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee. The
bonus. N. r. A. renewal and the So
cial security bill have piled in on the
committee all at once, due to the eX-
igencies of the session. Each measure
is loaded with controversy and will
require the most astute steersmanship
before final action. with days and
weeks of haggling, pickering and COM
promise in certain prospect. Apart
from his purely legislative worries.
Senator Harrison finds it particularly
tough that he has to take arms against
a sea of troubles at the very outset
of the base ball season. The Mis-
sissirpian is real fan and, naturally,
an ardent rooter for the Senator'S
Pat finds existing conditions on the
Hill the curse of the goling classes,
too.
Ambassador Josephus Daniels, who
returned from Mexico just in time to
hobnob with his brother editors and
publishers at New York annual meet
ings this week, has taken prompt oc-
casion to deny rlImors that he's think
ing of reSigning. He will spend a
few weeks at home in Raleigh, N c.,
then come to Washington for confer
ences with the President and the Sec
retary of State, and return to his post
in Mexico City in mid-June. Mr..
Daniels indicates that despite the re-
ligious controversy, Mexico is generally
quiet and comparatively prosperous.
He depicts the Mexican people as
deeply grateful for the Roosevelt ad-
ministration's silver policy. The World
War Secretary of the Navy is still
hailed as chief" by President Roose-
velt whenever they meet, in memory
of the days when F. D. R. was second
in command of the department.
Harper Sibley of Rochester, N. Y,
lawyer, banker and big-time farmer
and rancher, who is slated to be
elected president of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States in
Washington next week, has close per-
They were at Groton and Harvard
about the same time. though not
classmates. Mr.. Sibley's accession to
the leadership of the big national