Evening star., 1947-03-10
Senate Republicans
To Meet tonight, but
Don I Expect Unity
By J. A. oLeoy

The freshmen Republican Sen
ators who are seeking a stronger
voice in party councils were eau
toned today by Senator Wherry,
Republican, OF Nebraska not to
expect complete unity from more
frequent party conferences.
Senator Wherry, the party whip,
said he fayors more meetings of the
Republican Senators, but added, mo
one need expect that many agree
ments will come out of them" He
said 1t is not to be expected the
Republicans will be united on all
questions, or that there will be a
party policy on every issue.
His warning came as COP leaders
were planning closed session Of the
81 Republican Senator's for o'clock
tonight. It was called primarily as
a symposium Of views on extension
of rent control. and to hear Chair
man Vandenberg of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee review the inter-
national situation.
Frank Discussion Urged.
The meeting also gives party chiefs
their first chance to do something
to reassure the 16 rockies led by
Senator Baldwin Of Connecticut, who
joined in a round robin last week,
asking for more information on
party policies.
Senator Baldwin told reporters he
hopes the conference will work out
plan for giving first-termers more
information, and urged "a frank
discussion Of party problems"
Senator Wherry's word of caution
against expecting too much unity
was in line with the practical situa-
ton that confronts party leaders,
not only this year, but at all times.
In the first place. neither party
has attempted in recent years to
bind members for or against a. bill
in party conference. This means
that conferences usually boil down
to a round-table discussion which
gives the leaders a general idea Of
party sentiment, but seldom changes
the basic viewpoint of individuals.
For example, there are four or
fiye Republican Senator'S in the
present Congress who consistently
take a more liberal stand than their
colleagues on most economic issues.
Likewise, on the Democratic side
there are some Senators who usually
are more conservative than the
party generally.
Democrats Pick Debaters.
While the Republicans were seek
ing harmony and faster progress on
in the Senate. the Dem
ocrats in the House picked team
Of six young debaters to keep a spe-
cial watch on Republican legislation.
All are freshmen except one, and
they were described by one member
as "rambunctious lot"
They are:
Albert Gore, 80, of Tennessee, who
belonged to q similar party team
last year. He is four-termer and
one Of the Houses ablest spur-of-
the-moment speakers.
George Smathers, 80, former Ma
rine major and assistant United
States district attorney at Miami.
John A. Blatnik, IS, Minuesota's
only Democrat in Congress, q for
mer paratroop captain. Colleagues
say he must have a. lot on the ball
to get elected on the Democratic
ticket out there"
Carl Albert, SO, of Oklahoma, a
former intercollegiate oratorical
champion and Rhodes scholar.
John Carroll, As, of Colorado, a
former district attorney.
John Bell Williams, %, Of Missis-
sippi. former county attorney and
Army Air Forces pilot who lost an
arm at war and returned to upset
the veteran Representative Dan
McGehee.
It is planned for each to become
q specialist on some particular type
OF legislation, ready at the drop of
hat to debate the issue on the