"Reconsideration"

The Senate was almost deserted last week when Democrat Walter George of the Foreign Relations Committee rose to speak: Would the Senate consider the treaty admitting Greece and Turkey to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

The chair called for a voice vote and six voices* answered "Yea." Five minutes after it hit the floor, the treaty was officially ratified and on its way to the White House for the President's signature.

The news brought a howl of indignation from the rest of the Senate. Minor treaties are frequently waved through without bothering to call for a quorum or recording the vote, but never had such an important treaty slipped by with so little notice. Hastily, the Senate asked the President to return the treaty "for reconsideration." This time, the quorum bells would be sounded, the roll formally called, and the approval of Greece and Turkey in NATO recorded with proper ceremony.

*The six: Georgia's George, Texas' Connally and Washington's Magnuson, Democrats; Washington's Cain, Illinois' Dirksen and Idaho's Welker, Republicans.

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