Evening star., 1951-01-04
South-6. 0. P. Bloc
.Seizes Firm Control
OF New Congress
By Cecil HoIIond

With a coalition of Southern
Democrats and Republicans firm
ly in control, the new 82d Congress
marked time today awaiting Presi-
dent Truman's tate-of-the- Union
message. The message is scheduled
for Monday.
The more conservative elements
in Congress took over control as
the Senate and House organized
yesterday amid warnings of the
grave dangers confronting the
country from the worsening in
ternational situation.
The Southern Democrat and
Republican coalition quickly dem
onStrated its strength in the House
by again vesting the Rules Com
mittee with a virtual strangehold
on the legislative program.
21-Day Rule Abolished.
1t voted to abolish the 21-day
rule which was adopted two years
ago at the beginning of the 81st
Congress. The rule permitted the
by-passing of the Rules Commit
tee after regular legislative
committee had approved a bill.
The vote restoring the Rules
Committee to it's former position
of power was surprisingly lop-
sided, 244 to 179. Voting to re-
turn to the old system were 1872
Republicans and 80 Democrats
Those favoring the 21-day rule
were 1876 Democrats, ~ Republi-
cans and one Independent.
President Truman brushed off
the coalitions victory with no
show of disappointment. Asked
for comment at his news confer
ence. Mr.. Truman said the House
its own rules. He added
that the administration will try to
get its program through Congress
in the usual manner.
In the vote the House overrode
the plea Of Representative Nc
Cormack of Massachusetts,, the
majority leader. that the old
system gave "dictatorial" powers
to Southern Democrats and Re-
publicans who dominate the
Rules Committee.
Cox Engineers Change.
Representative Cox, Democrat,
OF Georgia, a member of the
Rules Committee, engineered the
change. He received outspoken
assistance from Representative
Allen of Illinois, ranking Repub-
lican member of the committee;
Representative Halleck, Repub-
lican, OF Indiana and others.
Before the fight over the rules
change developed, the House, as
expected, reelected Representa-
tive Eayburn, Democrat, of Texas,
as Speaker. 1t was the sixth time
Mr.. Rayburn had been elected to
the post and on January 80 he will
have held the position longer than
any other Speaker in the coun-
try's history.
Brief FURRY in Senate.
In his acceptance speech, Mr..
Rayhurn said that the United
States cannot wrap two oceans
arouno it and stay secure and
free After this obvious refer
ence to former President Herbert
Hoover's plea for this country to
get out of Europe. the Speaker
pledged his efforts toward doing
"the things that will make inter-
national desperadoes and despots
fear tc get in our path
A brief Senate session brought
out no demonstration of the
strength of the Southern Demo-
cratic-Republican coalition. But
there. with the Democrats holding
control by the narrow margin of
49 to At, a clear threat to many
Truman proposals such as civil
rights and social legislation, if
they are made again, was posed.
Earlier. Southern Democrats had
succeeded in electing Senator Nc
Farland of Arizona as majority
leader despite some administration
support for Senator O'Mahoney of
Wyoming.
A brief furry took place on the
Senate floor when Senator Taft,
Republican. of Ohio complained
that the Senate should not have
to mark time while awaiting the
Presidents message.
However, Senator Taft did not
insist on his point and the Senate
quit until tomorrow with the plan
of transacting no business until
Monday. The House scheduled a
brief session today with no busi-
ness being scheduled.