Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-12
Changes Suggested
In George Substitute
For Bricker Plan


Knowland announced today he
will continue the search for an
acceptable compromise in the
fight over treaty-making powers
until the Senate begins voting
on the issue next week.
He revealed that the Justice
Department, in a memorandum
to him. has suggested additional
language in the substitute of
Senator George, Democrat, of
Georgia, which would give Con-
gress check on agreements the
President makes alone with
other countries. but would not
disturb the present method of
handling treaties.
The departments memo was
not made public, but the infer
ence was that the latest George
draft would not be acceptable
without further changes.
In that draft, Senator George
tried to meet earlier adminiStra-
ton objections by specifying that
his constitutional amendment
would not interfere with the
Presidents powers as command
er in chief in time of emergency
or other powers specifically dele
gated to him in the Constitution.
Knowland to See George.
Senator Knowland said he will
confer during the day with Sem
ator George and by telephone
with Senator Bricker. Republic
can. of Ohio who is in Florida.
Senator Bricker started the con-
troversy with his amendment to
curb both treaties and executive
agreements.
so far as I am concerned, the
door to compromise has always
been open and will remain open
until We vote" said Senator
Knowland.
The Republican leader said he
hopes voting on amendments
will start Tuesday or Wednes-
day. The Senate is in recess
until Monday. when the treaty
debate will be resumed.
Debate Resumes Unexpectedly.
The Senate Unexpectedly re-
sumed debate on the treaty.
making power yesterday. The
debate indicated that the final
showdown next week will center
on the George substitute
Some observers predicted to-
day thatsthe lawyers in the SEN
ate NAV spend all Of next week
wrangling over court cases af-
fecting treaties and executive
agreements before deciding the
issue.
The George substitute may
get majority on a preliminary
vote to substitute it for the
Bricker resolution. but it is
doubtful whether it can COM
mand the two-thirds required for
final passage OF constitutional
amendment.
Contention Challenged.
Senator Hennings. Democrat,
Of Missouri. took the floor yes
terday to challenge the conten-
ton of Senator George that the
1912 Supreme Court decision in
the Pink Case makes it neces-
sary to amend the Constitution
to give Congress a chance to
pass on executive agreements.
Senator George contends the
court raised executive agree
ments to the level of treaties.
that such agreements are made
by the President alone and that
Congress frequently has no
knowledge of such agreements.
Senator Hennings contended
that the case cited by Senator
George contains no justification
for changing the Constitution.
He also argued that the George
proposal would have no bearing
on secret agreements, because
no agreement could possibly
affect internal law in this coun-
try unless it was made public.
Morse View Given.
Senator Morse. the Oregon in
dependent. also denied that the
Supreme Court placed executive
agreements on an equality with
treaties.
Pointing out that executive
agreements between govern
ments are made in large num-
bers. Senator Hennings wanted
to know how it would be deter
mined which ones affected in
ternal law unless all of them
were examined.
Senator George replied that a
President ought to handle as a
treaty, requiring Senate ratifica-
ton, any executive agreement
fhof