RADICAL VICTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17245, 11 January 1924, Page 11

RADICAL VICTORY.

SENATE DEADLOCK ENDED. By Telegraph—Prea» Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, January 9. A deadlock which had lasted five weeks in the Senate, over the election of the chairman of the important Inter-State Commerce Committee, and which had held up all business, was broken when Senator Smith (Democrat. South Carolina) was chosen for that post, placing upon the Democrats all responsibility for railway legislation, despite an ostensibly Republicancontrolled Congress. Senator Smith is tho first Democratic chairman of a Congressional committee since 1920, and the election represents a victory for the Radical group, headed by Senator La Folletto, who successfully opposed the re-election of Senator Cummings. The Radicals have demonstrated that, in tho present session of Congress at least, they wield the balance of power, being able to destroy or indefinitely block any measure* they oppose and, by a system of barter, to secure the passage of legislation which could never secure a majority under the free play of forces.