Evening star., 1953-01-03
Republicans Organize Congress
Without Challenge on Senators;
Showdown on Rules Is Delayed
6. P. Will Hold
HuirIine Edge;
Taft Speeds Work
By Gould Lincoln


Marking the end of 20 years OF
Democratic rule, the Republican
S3d Congress met today at noon
and began promptly to organize.
While threats of the strife over
their rules loomed in both Senate
and House, both houses proceeded
to swear in the members elected
in November.
In the Senate there had been
some suggestion that members
elect against whom contests were
filed would be asked to stand
aside. But when Senator Chavez,
Democrat, of New Mexico, whose
right to a seat has been chal-
- lenged by his Republican oppo-
nent. Mai. Gen. Patrick Hurley
was reached in order, Senator
Taft of Ohio, the Republican
leader of the Senate, rose and
asked that Senators against whom
contests were filed be sworn in
and permitted to take their seats
without prejudice"
After a brief discussion of what
without prejudice" may mean
and a statement by Senator Taft
that it would not make any differ
ence in a mans taking the oath
as Senator. Senator Chavez was
sworn in.
Mccarthy Is Sworn In.
The swearing in of Senator Nc
Carthy, Republican, of Wisconsin.
against whom a special elections
subcommittee yesterday filed a
critical report without recommen-
dation, was accomplished without
incident.
Senator LANCER, Republican. of
North Dakota, another whose seat
is under challenge, also was sworn
in without incident.
Except for the years 1947 and
1948, the Democrats have con-
trolled both houses of Congress
since 1881. midway in the term of
former Republican President Her
bert Hoover. The margin Of Re-
publican control in the new Con-
gress is razor edge.
PreSident-elect Eisenhower may
frequently need support of Demo-
cratic members for items in his
program after inauguration Janu-
ary 20.
The political makeup of the new
Congress is:
House-221 Republicans, 211
Democrats, one Independent and
two vacancies (due to the
deaths since election of Rep
preventative Sabbath of Illinois
and Representative Cox of Geor-
gia, both Democrats). Senate
48 Republicans, Al Democrats and
one Independent (Senator Morse
of Oregon, former Republican,.
Complete transfer of party
power over the Federal Govern
ment will await, however, the
Inauguration of President-elect
Eisenhower and Vice President
elect Nixon on January 20. In
the meantime, Democratic Presi-
dent Truman remains Chief Exec
utive and will send his messages
to Congress dealing with the
budget, the State of the Union
and economic conditions. And
Democratic Vice President Bark
ley will preside over the Senate.
Greater Harmony Expected.
The new Congress comes into
being with promise of greater
harmony between the White House
and the legislators than has ex-
listed since the early years of the
Roosevelt administration.
President Eisenhower will have
the support, it is believed, of many
conservative Democrats as well as
Republicans.
While some continue to see dam
ger of strife between the new
President and Senator Taft. it does
not now appear likely. The Ohio
Senator will be in large part re-
sponsible for the success or failure
of the new Republican admins
tration's program. He has said
he intends to help make that ad-
ministration a success.
Great issues face the new ad-
miniStration-when it takes over
and the Congress. including for
eign policy and the Korean war,
reduction in Federal spending and
Federal taxes, price and wage con-
trolls, labor legislation, immigration
and oil tidelands. The Republicans
In Congress, however, must wait q
couple Of weeks to learn the pro-
gram which PreSident-elect EiSen-
hover will espouse.
Two Texans, Representative
Sam Rayburn and Senator Lyndon
johnson. will be the Democratic
door leaders of their respective
houses. having been so chosen at
party conferences yesterday. Mr..
Rayburn is the outgoing Speaker.
The fight over the Senate rules
Is conducted by a bipartisan
(See CONGRESS, Page A-3.)