Evening star., 1946-12-29

candidates are Representatives Jen-
.kins Of Ohio and Dirksen Of Illi-
nois.
No Opposition to Martin.
Representative Martin of Massa-
chusetts, who led the Republicans
during most of the years they were
in the minority, is slated to become
Speaker without opposition.
Likewise in the Senate the post
Of President Pro Tempore is ex-
pected to 60 to Senator Vanden-
berg of Michigan without contest,
but a fight is brewing over selec-
ton of Senator White of Maine to
| be chairman of the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee, in
| addition to majority floor leader.
Opposing the dual assignment,
Senator Reed Of Kansas is battling
for the Interstate Commerce chair
manship, a post in which Senator
Tobey Of New Hampshire also is
reported to be interested.
This and other committee assign
ment souabbles are expected to go
before the Republican conference
tomorrow afternoon.
After the Republicans get organ
lied, some Of the major national
issues they face are:
The fixing of an overall ceiling on
the Federal budget by February Is,
as required in the Reorganization
law.
This decision may determine how
close the Republicans can come to
their proposed 20 per cent cut in
personal income taxes. -
Labor Laws Being Drafted.
New labor laws, which various
members of both houses are already
drafting.
Universal military training, which
| Is tied In with the future of the
Selective Service Act, that expires
early in 1947.
Termination of wartime controls
and probable Investigations of war
time activities.
Possible revision of the admins
tration's reciprocal trade agreement
program with other nations.
| Indications last night were the
Senate War Investigating Commit
tee would issue It's report on Senator
Bilbo without further hearings.
Senator Ferguson had requested
another hearing tomorrow to take
more testimony on one charge, but
he was advised that Senator Mead,
subcommittee chairman, could not
return from New York before
Thursday.
Senator Ferguson decided that
would be too late to reopen the
hearings and still file a report be-
fore the new Congress meets.
Would Act First Day.
In making known his belief that
the Senate should take up the Bilbo
case Immediately, Senator Ferguson
said that whatever is done should
be done the first day. This is not a
political matter. it is question of
whether Senator is entitled to take
his seat"
His statement apparently had ref
erence to the argument advanced by
some that If the issue is raised on
the opening day only part of the
Senate would have chance to vote,
whereas later move to oust Sena-
tor Bilbo would be voted on by the
entire Senate.
When the Senate meets Friday
only % Republicans and 81 Demo-
Gratis, who were not up for election
in 1916 will be eligible to vote.
Newly elected Senators are sworn in
alphabetically In groups Of four.
Since Senator Bilbo would be in the
first group called, q battle over let
ting him take the oath would hold
up all Of the 81 newly elected mem
bers.
Discussion of the procedure to be
followed in the Bilbo case also in
wolves argument over whether 1t will
take two-thirds or majority to
oust him once he is sworn in. Au-
thorities on Senate procedure point
out, however, that in the event of
a dispute on this question major
ity would decide whether the two
thirds rule applied. Thus, they con-
tend, a majority eventually would
Jao;Jo tho iccYra