Evening star., 1939-10-15

lace OF CAIN, urO0nlty ana dppaTeIlt III.
differepce, but with an undercurrent Of
deadly seriousness-this is perhaps the
best analogy available for the ,Senate's
general debate on neutrality, which has
been In progress for two weeks and will
probably continue a week or 50 longer.
Senator Alben w. Barkley, Democrat,
Of Kentucky, majority leader, has pro-
nounced 1t to be "one Of the most mo-
mentous debates in the history Of the
= Senate" although in recent years this
has included such epic and thrilling bat
ties as the contest over the entrance Of
the United States into the League Of Ma
tions and that involving the reconstitu-
ton Of the Supreme Court. With an ac-
companying uproar Of headlines and
radio, the discussion has been described
as one which may affect not merely the
outcome Of the European war but the
destiny of every inhabitant of the globe
Despite the fateful issues involved, or
perhaps for that very reason, the pro-
ceedings thus far have been notable for
an absence Of dramatic staging and ap-
peal to mass emotion. The performance
has lacked nearly every element Of
SHOW" "theater" and spectacle" Con-
sidering what the Nazi Barnum, DR..
Goebbels, could have made of a similar
situation, some observers have remarked
with pride on what they term demo-
cratic restraint, dignity and homely sim
cerity.
But there are factors less lofty which
enter the picture. Most Senators have
considered the problem too weighty for
extemporaneous discussion, and have re-
sorted to the nlimeograph for the prepa-
ration Of long and set addresses. How
ever invaluable these may become in the
eyes of history, they are droned out in
the voices OF readers rather than orators,
with few changes of infection and al
most no gestures. Interruptions from
other Senators, most of them also with
prepared speeches in their pockets, are
brief and infrequent.
The Denouement Is Too Visible.
Another mechanical invention, the
radio. has helped to rob the proceedings
OF hlstrlonic suspense and surprise. The
views OF most Of the leaders had been
broadcast prior to their utterance on the
Senate floor, often in the form of sum-
maries of their future addresses. Finally
repeal Of the arms embargo and victory
for the administration had been fore
shadowed from the beginning, and be-
came certain with q vote of 81 to 26
rejecting a motion Of Senator Charles
w. Tobey. Republican. of New Hamp-
shire, which would have isolated the en-
barge from other sections of the bill.
Thus the plays denouement, which dram
atists always seek to withhold as an
exciting uncertainty, some days ago
emerged as a foregone conclusion.
A typical session was that of last
Wednesday, when Senator Bennett
Champ Clark, the only Democrat among
the four anti-administration leaders ir
the debate. read a scholarly tflree-hour
address. The scene was the hall which
has served as Senate chamber since be-
fore the Civil War.
The session was to begin at noon, and
until Is minutes previous the floor. with
its four curving tiers of glistening brown
seats and benches, was deserted save for
clerks and pages. But the galleries
were already filled with spectators, about
twice as many women as men, and queues
Of others waiting were visible through
the doors. Only the diplomatic gallery
opposite the Vice Presidents chair. was
empty. Suddenly, at moments notice
1t was filled. But not with diplomats or
their families, who had long since given
up the performance as poor show u
Into their reserved precincts doorkeepers
admitted an overflow Of tourists. Not
one visitor of celebrity was observed 70
be present.
The first member to arrive was Sen
ator Arthur H. Vandenberg of Michigan,
leader of the anti-administratio forces
and perhaps the foremost Republican
candidate for the presidential nomina-
ton. His iron-gray hair was rufhed up
at the rear like an oriflamme, dark eyes
blazed through spectacles and his jaws
champed at rapid and steady pace on
wad of gum. Senator Barkley, who
followed, also chewed gum, at a more
languid tempo. Then came the new
Senator from Kentucky, A. B. CHappyO
Chandler, resplendent among his soberly
clad colleagues in a tan linen suit and
white and brown oxfords. The fixed
beam of his smile was visible for yards
and his laugh, professionally hearty,
rang across the floor.
The Others Take Their Time.
Other Senators strolled in. unhurried
and tranquil-Millard E. Tydings of
Maryland, with his bronzed and satur-
nine grin; Hiram w. johnson of Cali
fornia, who sat with hands folded across
his stomach, as impressive as Buddha; !;
w. Warren Barbour of New Jersey, with
the brawny shoulders of former pugil-
list; William E. Borah of Idaho, with
leonine head and tripping steps; dapper
Charles L. McNary Of Oregon, the minor
ity leader: pontifical Walter F. George
of Georgia, and Edward r. Burke of Ne
braska, with an ecclesiastic's visage. At
each entrance there was a rufle Of
leaflets in the gallery. The visitors were
provided with charts identifying each
Senator by his seat.
Suddenly Vice President Garner was
standing on the steps of his dais, and
with three faint taps of the gavel called
the session tn order The SAGE of Tive Ida