Evening Star Newspaper, January 2, 1924, Page 22

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CHANGES IN HOUSE RULES Representative Luce of Massachusetts ‘Makes' Pro- posal of 17 Amendments Primarily Designed 3 * Seventeen proposals for changing the rules of the House, primarily de- signed to save time and then to bet- ter work and meet the convenience of every one concerned, have been laid before the rules committee by Rep- resentative Robert Luce of Massa- chusetts, who expects to be heard in argument for these changes immedi- ately after Congress reassembles. Representative Luce s one of the best authorities in Congress and inl the United States on parliamentary procedure and the rules that govern legislative bodies. He was a mem- ber of the general court of Massa- chusetts for nine yvears; of the gov- ernor’s courcil as lieutenant gover- nor; of a constitutional convention, and now is chairman of the commit- tee on the library. He is the author of a series of authoritative volumes on legislative procedure. Proposals for Changing Rules. His proposals for changing the rules of the House arc di by Repre- sentative Luce Into two Eroups. The first, which he thinks the more im- portant, comprises only proposals that look to_lessening the waste of time for which the House is famous. Ancient pi s, long outgrown discarded b of the other im- portant legislative world, doing nobody any eyer, protecting no rigr protection, conducing in no whit to the betterment of legislation, persist in the House because inerja has'pre- vented getting rid of them Taken altogether, he lessly prolong the sessions of each term of Congres hree or four months, or prevent such real work as might have been accomplifhed in that time, Supposing that no more work were to be done, their abandon- need for into or when life would let e’ the ex- wcessively high cost of living here, would give them that much time to pass either among their consti or in getting elsewhe recre: sider: may inere members and the impairment of the working powers of those who survive. Seex No Argument Needed. Some of these changes would scem to need no argument whatever. For {nstance, the first one merelv provides that the' daily reading of the journal shall be dispensed with unless asked for by some member. s is orc Speaker. wil they use- Washington > hot months, tion, and nol proves that s no occasion for the reading. But ordinarily the clerk rattles off through three or four min- utes, words to which nobody listens. A little thing, and yet three minutes & day for the 400 days on which the House may be 1o <t course of two utes, or ne h More_ important is the oral reading of bills. This was the practice in olden times because so many members of the house of comm flliterate and could not read bills. In the parliament, where it began, it was long ago discarded, and in the best of our state legislatures nobo thinks of anything but relianc printed copy. What continuance the outgrown procedure means in the House may be gathered from the fact that the enactments of the last Congress comprised about 1,100,309 words, every one of which was read orally by one of the House realing elerks. Twenty Working Days Consumed. At the usual rate of speed this took something more than a hundred hours, or_about twenty working davs. and if. you add on ihe reading of the bills that failed of enactment and the double reading of others, it is safe to say that this practice alone needlcssly prolonged the sittings of that. Congress by a month. So Mr Luce proposes that bills be read by the numbers of sections or para- graphs, unless the House should in any particular case vote otherwise. This would rarely happen, for nobody | profits by this oral reading in full. Almost never can any member be ob- served as Printed cop body who is intel low the matter by the use of eyes rather than ears. More controversial is the next pro- sal, for it attacks the hour-rule. his Tule was on famous bone of contention. ~Senator Benton of Mis- ! souri bitterly assailgd it when adopted by the Houseé eighty’years or more ago. Benton was himseif a tireless speaker and_thought limitation of speeches to an hour meant the downfall of the republie et we survived. S| then the House has in actual practice gone much further, even to the point that Mr. Luce wants established by change in the rule, for nowadays al- most nobody in the course of actual debate holds the floor for himself more to Expedite Qusinen. Mr. Luce would replace the present provision. Cites Objectionable Custom. The trouble is that the man who gets the right to an hour doles most of it out to others. Few members in control of time can resist the pres- sure of requests for those doles, with the result that many measures are not disposed of within two or three hours when they could, in fact, easily handled in an hour or so, and the further result that many minor bills relating to the processes of the administrative depar{ments or other matters really not controverted never get a chance to pass the House at all, or if they do, reach the Senate too late for ‘action. As the House pever refuses to extend a member's time by unanimous permission When extension is really worth while, it is hard to see where any harm could come from changing the rule and easy to see where it could markedly shorten sessions or let more work be carried to a finish. These minor measures now have to take their chance on what is known as calendar Wednesday, the one day in the week when the committees tuke their turn regardless of the views of the committee on rules. It was one of the achievements of the insurgents of a dozen years ago and has proved a real gain, but not in such measure as can and ought to be secured, Mr. Luce thinks, all be- ause the work doey not go along as fast as it could without harm to the interests of anybody. Buttressed by the rule as it now stands, the House proceeds without any regard to the sense of propor- tion and devotes about the same time to every measure, whether its im- nertance he small‘or great, and its provisions seriously contested or not. Lhis comes about because two hours of general debate are avallable. permit quicker action on the bills, Mr. Luce also suggests after one speech for and one against the bill the House may, if it pleases, forthwithi vote to proceed to the reading the bill for amendment. Rentriction of Debate. Looking in the same direction is the next change, ‘which would confine 11l debate while " bill is being read ‘or amendment to the subject of the bill, forbidding the chairman of a committee of the whole (where most of the work of the House is @ene) even to entertain a request for unanimous consent to go outside that subject. Chairman Madden of the appropriations committee has called ttention to the steady increase in the time spent on appropriation bills, gely he thinks, to abuse in “his particular. Of the same class Is a new pro- vision that speeches on_appeals from the chair on points of order shall be confined to ten minutes each, to take care of a loophole for waste h |of time that nowadays is rarely used, but which Mr. Luce well be plugged up. The House adheres to the anclent practice of paying respect to the original form of every bill it re- :eives This requires ‘that when & committee changes a bill, it must re- port the changes as amendments, & process that takes needless time, and does mischief by inviting debate on inconsequential ~details. Mr. Luce urges that authority to report in a thinks might ®Inew draft be formulated. To be the end can be accomplished noéuby | Beautiful New LOOK! Beusiful New Cash. Monthly Plym:nt only $60.00, including all interest. 3303 9th St. N.E. Take Brookland Car.to 9th 8t. NE. ® $5— NEW YORK and Return SUNDAY January 6 Lv. Washington 12:30 A. M. Arrive in New York in Early Morning. RETURNING: Leave New York from C. R. R. of N. J. West 23d Street erty Street (downtown) 6 P.M., standard time, same day. Tickets on Sale Friday Saturday Preceding Excursion. Consult Ticket ents. Baltimore & Ohio See Fiyers than the thirty minutes with which Soothes disinfects heals Not merely on the surface but underneath, where permanent relief is found DO NOT expect ordinary surfaceremediestoremovea rash, eczema or itching skin disorder.- Not on the out- side, but ecp down in the under layers of the skin is thereal sourceofthétrouble. ; Pores clogged with poi- 'sonous germs, bodycells and tissues swollen and inflamed |—these are what must be soothed back to normal be- forea rash, euem:i, or other ¢ Yet tlme is a way thnt brings almost immediate re- lief—a way that to the Eredoouroeth eu'oulge.“ o cleanse the pores, germs, and start the skin again acting normally, phy- sicians have for twent eight years been REsI ingRulnolhthdrdfily_ practice. If you have today any spot, rash or irritation on your skin, npply Resinol. Get a jar of this soothing, healing ointment; a coating on the surface and smooth it in very gently with the fingen. One application wilk % sprea many cases, stop the completely. Resinol is ab. solutely It will not mime the delicate texture of an infant’s skin, flesh. time. G et]l hrfo:t.yz% gm sample to Dept. Resinol, Baltimore, Md. NOL " Recommended for 28 years by leading physicians N e . SUBMITTED TO COMMITTEE Sz |member. Of course, there ignoring the old bill, m\l lnt.rod-dn momor ln the shape d but nln us, time-wasting pro- accomplishes no good 0.. Reform Enactedl. Another of the achievements of the reformers of a dozen Ol-l‘l the calendar for unan mo Bills put | tl;’-r-u may on e month be taken up and disposed of if no one memb: vbjoc:.‘. uch though, uumy for' o -u'net lon glven to any one obstinaf narrowminded or notoriety nakln( ‘e occasion when refusal of consent ly be jus- tified, but Mr, Luce thin] t ought to be required of more than one man. he would strike out the word “unanimous” and substitute any num- ber that the committee on rules may think expedient when it passes judg- ment on his proposal. Regulation o Qi The last of his suggested changes for the saving of time concerns the operation of the constitutional pro- The Hecht Co. is by do\lbun‘ the mhn about a nunru custom holds it to any one member to the violation any provision. As a matter of IML & eat partof the work af the House s carried on wllhnll! the attendance than one-half the mem- t g“"“ unless he is ask resence of quorum compel a ro) ‘way one member of the House in the Sixtieth Cor was responsible for 126 quorum calls and another for thirty-three, thus bet: the twice over on 430 occasions because somebody doubted the presence of a quorum. Each call took about twen- ty-five minutes, 8o that total time consumed was about 200 hours, or thirty-six working days, six weeks. JFound n le. d this unconsclonable -{"."«'.'of"u:'-"’.na yet not violate the Constitution is no easy matter. ¥et 5295 Dining Room - Suite, *195 Antique m\ahog'any was used to create this beautiful 10-piece group after the Queen Anne period. A strik- ing group that will be one of the first to go. $43.75 Table Desk $29.75 A neat mahogany desk with drop leaf which folds conven- iently away when not writing. " $215 Living Room Group, $185 Spacious sofa and two chairs, upholstered entirely in beautiful tapestry or figured ve- lour. $445 Dining Group $295 American walnut din- ing su&e, in Italian Renaissance design. Ten massive pieces, finely constructed. $65 Queen Anne Dresser, $39 A handsome odd dresser, finished in rich, dull antique. mahogany. A superb value, even in a sale. $135 Fumed Oak * Buffet, $75 This massive side- board is 66 inches long, fitted with large, heavy crystal mirror. Sold as it is, $75. \ $285 Reed Suite $195 To beautify sun par- lor or living room. 4- piece gray 'enameled reed suite, with down cushions. $105 Walnut Dresser $69 Handsome American walnut dresser, 48 inches wide; designed after the graceful Queen Anne period. $45 Oval Library Table $28.75 Massive mahogany finished table in grace- ful oval shape, with two pedestals beneath. $21 to $50 . Wood Beds, $10 One-of-a-kind wood beds, in walnut, ma- hogany; golden oak or ivory enamel finish. Wonderful values at $10. $25 Fumed Oak Chair, $12.50 A fegular cozy seat —big ahd roomy chair with seat and back covered = with brown leatherettel $6.50 to $18.75 Dining Chairs 14 Price Good chairs, reduced because they are odd. In mahogany. and oak finish—one of a kind, half price. Sample Baby Carriages One-Third Off $27.50 carriages, $18.37 $31 carriages, $20.67 $43.75 carriages, $29.17 $62.50 carriages, $41.67 £105 Brealifast Room - Suite, s75 Sxx charming pleces for the breakfast room, done in black and antique gold. Small buf- fet, drop-leaf\cable and four e "o¢ | otkier Towlantivs podion, thinks found & s h.l'im ah 3 m house 'o’ uorum of o the question does not perplex, Italy the president of the chamber is not required to see that a quomm h 50 y ten deputies, & not crr ey o 2 | provision, > but " probably " impossinie "eall. In this | heve becaude of our respect for use o conllltndonll rl(ht o( thfl lldl'lflw member. Spain and France methods with’ noro In Spain about one-fis l.h ot the lo‘ur branch of the corts sact .Xcl t . .nnm i ch & quorum ke o required. 1In the Ferncl amber no quorum is needed lor deliberating, and even for votes it may be esca; for a quorum Is not required at tbc opening of sessions, and s0 when a0ubt Ia ratsed the president deciares the session closed in ten minutes calls the chamber together again in new session, and whatever vote may the be taken ls valid. Mr. Luce suggests that whenever $265 Bedroom Group, $195 A durable and well- made . suite -of Italian oak. Seven pieces, as attractive as they are sturdy. $39.75 Mahogany Toilet Table $29.50 . A small toilet table with three mirrors which would delight a girl with a small room. Colonial design. $395 Twin-Bed Suite, $245 A delightful sample walnut suite with five pieces, including twin beds. Tudor style, beautiful executed. s Splendid Annual MRS ) o Ul PY ) 2ab $ - BY o Bl e BT o VT e Wl YA $185 Reed Library Suite, $98.75 In the sun porch, hall or library a colorful touch is found in this four-piece blue reed suite. . As is, $98.75. $39.75 Fiber Reed Suite, $25 Very attractive de- signed three-piece reed suite for porch or small living room. -Natural color finish. s $44.75 . Toilet Table $29 Golden oak toilet table with triple mir-, rors and one generous £ |the House finds tonla. Values in our Showroom Samples The Hecht Co. 7th at F itseif without = ulul it votes to bring in it be .u!mnlfl ai uvo votes, when it {s to resume its neuo- he proceedings of the committee are lo serve as its report, and the House, the constitutional quorum, e of the com- Te Lessen Number of Rold Calls. To lessen the number of roll calls. resulting from lack of a quorum in the usual committees of the whole, the propolll is that such committes may vote proceed without & quorum -if they 'Ilh but must not make their report in the absence of * Fhe other group of suggestions that Mr, Luce submits relates chiefly to matters of parliamentary- pro- cedure. To secure better “considera- tion of measures he proposes that & $345 ‘Bedroom Group, $295 Old Ivory with its age-mellowed finish, in Louis XVI design. Fult vanity, bow-end bed, chifforobe and dresser. $105 Ivory Wardrobe, $69 Louis XVI old ivory wardrobe with double doors and roomy draw- er. A massive, hand- some single piece. $340 Bedroom Suite, $265 ’ Large dresser, chif- forette, bow-end bed and vanity, made of walnut in Tudor de- sign. A lifetime group. Furniture Sale of el re) VO o) W S) W L | ) W T [P g) “T o) NS o) e o) $82.50 Gray Reed Settee, $49 Beautiful gray enam- eled reed settee with upholstered back and loose spring cushions. $23.75 Ferneries $16.75 Artistic mahogany- finished fern holder, with metal flower box inside. An addition to any room, with a bit of green growing. , - $25 Fumed: Oak Chair, $12. 50 For a man’s comfort —roomy - chair with leatherette seat and back. Rich brown - shade, as a House. The record of |4 vote Qo lay an amendment on the tabl not carry with it the main Ilnuon. This has already been em- in the Senate rules, but not I those of . the. Heuse. 1es purpose is to prevent an' indirect an what unfulr mekhod of Killing bills, In the matter of.the pervious ques- lon he suggest :lylnx ten minutes of short speeches after the motion is made, a method long found illumi- nating ' and helpful insthe Massa- chusetts policy in the matter of re. consideration, though within more re- stricted limite. Nominally it is poll!- ble to reconsider in the national House, but actually it is rendered im- nmbin by the comstant use of the motion to lay on the table a motion for reconsideration which has been made for the purpose by an advocate of the bifl. ‘The House wisely goes over its own bills section by section for amend- ment, but when the Senate takes a House bill and substitutes one of its own, the new draft, upon reaching the House, is treated as an entirety, is not read by sections for amendment, and, indeed, is open to but a single amend- ment, which must not annul any of its provisions. Mr. Luce thinks this un- fortunate and proposes mxm‘ the practice uniform. The of the House now votes Fridays to private bills, whl interest no great part of the members, and for proper_trfetment do not re- quire a large attendance. Mr. Luce suggests that they be ‘iransferred to turday, and does this preliminary to a mm.lon to amend the standing ordm;! 80 that the Honse may meet on Sa days in the morning and adjourn in time to give the members one after- noon in the week to themselves for such recreation as they may wish, or to let them go home over’ Sunday if they live near enough. Iy the matter of printin speeches in the Congressional Reco: is taken up, with a view to reducing size and cost, as well as to make the Record a more nearly accurate report of the real proceedings. To that end it is I\Iml!ud lhlt leave to revise and extend remarks must be before midnight of the day when granted, and that members shall not interpolate letters, telegrams, speeches, articles or other matter not originat- ing with a member of the House or aa official of the government., The Hecht Co. 5150 Living Room Suite, 5115 A handsome cane-back, three-piece group, with loose spring cushions. The frame . is in Queen Anne style; and thé suite is just sizeable for a small home. $502 Dining Group $375 Ten perfectly match- ed pieces in Tudor de- sign. Made at Grand Rapids, where furni- ture-making is an art. $268 Dining Group $195 60-inch sidehoard, ob- long extension table, china cabinet and in- closed server of Ameri- can walnut, in Italian Renaissance style. $87.50 Walnut Semi-Vanity - = $39.75 Queen Anne style semi-vanity, fitted with _triplicate swinging . mirrors. Two drawers, deep and roomy. $43.75 Overstuffed Chair, $29.75 Broad and comfort- able in size, and extra’ .good .in looks: is this tapestry-covered, over- stuffed living room chair, $15.75 Serving Table, $12.50 Colonial period serv-~ er, finished in golden oak. This is a grace- ful pieceywell built and finished. $440 Dining Suite $295 A faithful reproduc- tion of an.-Old-English Renaissance suite, done in dull native walnut. $79 Library Table $59 A good-looking, in- dividual table done in dull mahogany, the extra shelf having a cane insert. $19.75 Tea Cart $10 Walnut or mahogany finished tea cart, with rubber - tired wheels and removable glass tray. $435 Living Room Group, $295 Three pieces in ma- hogany, beautifully carved and upholstered in wool tapestry. $23.50 Serving Table, $15 Good-looking walnut- finished serving table in graceful Queen Anne style. This could be used as a console also. $69.50 Music Cabinet, $39.75 T wo-door cabinet, roomy enough for rolls, records and music. Rich, dull mahogany finish. $42.50 Table Desk - $29 A striking desk ex- ecuted in Italian Renais- sance style,-in Ameri- can walnut, Small and neat in appearance, %265 Living Room © Suite, Particularly sm. three-piece suite i Queen Anne style, 51\75 is this graceful uphol- _stered in a fine, _small-pat- terned tapestry. Excellence of workmanship is noticeable - throughout. \

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