Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-06
THE NATIONAL SCENE
Curtain up on the 18Th

Seldom before have the vast diff
ferences between the two houses
of the national legislature been so
graphically pointed up as they were
of the opening Of the 85th Congress
last week.
The House lived up to It's reputa-
ton for celebrity and expedition
without drama by quickly disposing
of its first INSTRUMENTATION and
adoption of rules. The Democrats.
by vote of 1913 to 200. took control
of the body in a matter of minutes.
The rules of the previous Congress
were adopted in less than 80
seconds.
At the other end of the Capitol.
the Senate with typical senatorial
theatres took painful two days
to organize with Democrats in con-
troll and reach a decision to leave
its rules standing, including that
one which permits the filibuSter.
Most Senators as they came upon
the floor at noon on Thursday could
not say for certain which party
would organize them. taking all the
committee chairmanShipS and other
powers that go with control.
After the Senate chaplain, the
Rev. Frederick Brown Harris, be-
seeched higher Power to grant
the upcoming deliberations glad
and eager harmony" the Senators
moved to the center of the stage.
One new Senator, Frank J.
Lausche of Ohio, who had been
elected as Democrat but who has
often shown liking for Repub-
licanism. seemed to hold the answer
to the question as to who would
organize Senate of 40 Democrats
and AZ Republicans. And he had
said that he might vote with the
Republicans on organization.
Senator Lausche kept his newly
acquired colleagues in suspense I'M
til his name. seth on the list, was
called. AS he waited for the chief
clerk to reach his name. he ner-
vously ran his hands through his
bushy hair in what appeared to
many to be an agony of indecision.
When mis- may" vote came, as
surfing the Democrats of control
loud sigh rose from the floor and
the galleries. The Democrats APP
plauded. and a number of them
went to his seat to congratulate MIN
on his decision
So unpredictable had the out
come on organization been that the
alllng Senator Matthew Nicely, West
Virginia Democrat, journeyed from
the hospital to the Capitol in an
ambulance SO that his party might
have all Its available strength at
the crucial moment. He was
brought into the chamber, amid
applause in wheelchair, and, af-
ter voting, was wheeled out again.
During all this. 1t was reported
that Republican Senator ELECT ia
cob Javits. who had decided to de-
lay his oath until a Republican
successor could be named to sue
coed him as New York State At
torney General. was being held In
reserve in Republican cloakrooms-
just in case his party needed his
vote.
Contributing bit Of irony to the
scene was a member of the audi
ence in the Senate gallery, Adlai
Stevenson. The statesman Of lost
cause was greeted from the floor
by Majority Leader Lyndon John
son. And he received lengthy ova-
ton from the galleries, which OBJ
viously were held in firmer control
by the Democrats than was the
floor.
Mr.. Stevenson had the privilege
OF hearing one of his severest critics,
Vice President Richard Nixon, ex-
press a desire to hear him in some
OF "the eloquence for which he is
we'll famed" 1t was too bad, said
Mr.. Nixon. that the rules did not
permit the floor to "this distin-
guished guest
Mr.. Stevenson acknowledged with
half-bow and male version of
the smile of Mona Lisa.