The Senate Week

Work Done. Reconvening from the Christmas holidays, the Senate last week: P:Heard Senator Hale speak on the Cruiser Bill (see below). P:Debated ratification of the Kellogg peace treaty (see col. 3).

Cruiser Bill. By agreement with Senator Borah, in charge of the Kellogg treaty, Senator Frederick Hale of Maine, in charge of the Cruiser Bill, opened the session with a Cruiser Bill speech. He argued that the proposed 15 cruisers do not constitute a "big Navy," but represent only the minimum additions required to keep the Navy at a respectable defensive strength. Immediately following this speech, the Senate took up the Kellogg treaty, indefinitely postponing debate on the cruisers.

Prohibition. During the presidential campaign, President-Elect Hoover suggested that a committee be appointed to study and report upon Prohibition. Two resolutions dealing with this committee were introduced in the Senate. Senator Jones (Dry) of Washington, suggesting the appointment of a Senatorial Committee, Senator Edge (Wet) of New Jersey suggesting the appointment of nine civilians, to be named, after March 4, by Mr. Hoover. Later, Senator Jones agreed with Senator Edge that the membership of the committee should be left to Mr. Hoover's decision, thereby virtually withdrawing the senatorial committee idea.