Evening star., 1939-05-13
Value Of Referendum
On War Is Doubted
By Senator Norris
Nebruskon's Criticism
Reflects Opposition in
Judiciary Committee
by the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
Senator Norris, Independent. of
Nebraska, who fathered a constitu-
tional amendment abolishing lame
duck" sessions of Congress, ex-
pressed opposition today to another
proposed change in the Constitution
the war referendum measure.
Senator Norris said he doubted
that the proposal, calling for a vote
of the people before American
soldiers could be sent to fight in
a foreign war, would aid materially
in keeping this country out of armed
conflict.
Il can't help but think that In
the World War the country was
worse than Congress-" said the
Nebraskan, the only member re-
naming who cast a Senate vote
against war In 1917. Il know a
good many men in Congress in 1917
who wanted to vote against war.
but their people demanded that
they vote for it."
While Senator Norris criticism
reflected strong opposition to the
referendum resolution within the
Senate Judiciary Committee, Sem
ator OMahoney. Democrat. of Wy
oming, expressed a conflicting view
If this resolution is intended TO
require national referendum be-
fore any authoritative military in
tervention in foreign affairs could
be undertaken, it sounds satisfac-
tory to me- Senator OMahoney
told reporters.
"Unwise, Impractical"
On the other hand. Senator
Burke. Democrat, of Nebraska said
he believed the proposal was
wholly unwise and altogether I'M
practical"
Il think it is futile as means
OF keeping us out of war and /
shall oppose it vigorously" he added
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah
also expressed opposition.
Senator Logan, Democrat, of
Kentucky said he favored the prin-
ciple involved in the resolution,
but doubted it ever would be brought
to vote in the Senate. He voiced
the opinion majority of Senators
would oppose it.
Fears of proponents that the meas
ure might be sidetracked brought a
declaration from Chairman Ashurst
that there was no disposition within
the Judiciary Committee to pigeon
hole the resolution.
Chairman Hatch of the subcom-
mlttee conducting hearings on the
bill told witness yesterday he
would not engage in tactics of this
type
Keeping in mind the fate of a
similar measure in the House last
year, Senate proponents of the res
olution hope to force a showdown
this session.
Confident Of Vote.
Last year the House pigeonholed
the Ludlow resolution. which re-
sembled the pending Senate bill.
after President Roosevelt and Sec
retary of State Hull had criticized
1t as unavoidable and likely to
hamper Government operations in
time of war.
Senator La Toilette. Progressive
OF Wisconsin, one of dozen au-
thors of the Senate resolution. said
he was confident a vote could be
obtained on the pending measure
before Congress adjourned.
II Congress approved submission
of the proposed amendment to the
States, three-fourths of them would
have to ratify the measure before
1t could become effective.
The amendment would leave un-
disturbed Congress power to de-
clare war when this country, its
possessions or the Western Hemis-
phere were attacked or threatened
with attack.
In all other wars, Congress could
not declare war until it had sub
mltted the question to the people
and they had approved.
At yesterdays subcommittee hear
ing, three Democratic House men,
bers Joined Representative Knut-
son. Republican. of Minnesota. in
indorsing the proposal, which also
was supported by Mrs. Dorothy
Dunbar Bromley, New York news
paper woman.
Representative Knutson. who vot-
ed against the United States entry
into the World War, expressed the
opinion this country would not have
entered if there had been a vote OF
the people
Representative Fulmer, Democrat,
OF South Carolina. said there was
widespread fear that the United
States would become involved in
war. Other Democrats supporting
the proposal were Representatives
Hill Of Washington and OConnor
Of Montana.
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