Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28
WASTING THE HOURS
Democrats Keep Up Their
Filibustering.
MANY ROLL CALLS
REPUBLICANS GO AHEAD ACCORD
ING TO PROGRAM.
Naval Bill Sent to Conference
Quorum Counted by Speaker,
Who Included Himself.
MANY ROLL CALLS

The net result of the democratic filibus-
ter in the House of Representatives for the
past two days has not been by any means
a successful block to legislative progress.
On the first day the f1libuster was put into
operation eight unnecessary roll calls were
had. Yesterday the second day, thirteen
roll calls were secured simply to kill time.
Each roll call consumes at least 25 minutes.
This makes total of eight and three-quar-
ter hours which have been consumed in
dilatory roll calls. The ordinary legislative
day Is five hours, and II the ordinary day
had been observed there would have been
but one and a quarter hours for business.
The House has, however, extended Its ses-
sions to eght-hour days. and when the
flibuster is figured from the heightened
day, but two and three-quarter hours have
been lost by democratic opposition
The Speaker prevented a roll call for
Quorum when the session was resumed this
morning by counting 17S members in their
seats It takes ITO to make quorum.
and the Speaker added himself to the list
to make the required number.
But few democrats were in their seats at
II O. clock when the House met. but the re-
publican attendance was large The demo-
Gratis grumbled that they had been counted
twice by the Speaker.
Where the democratic filibuster was most
apparent this morning, perhaps, waI In the
voice Of the reading clerks There are
two reading clerks In the House, and dur
Ing the eight-hour sessions of the last two
days they have been either calling the roll
or reading long lists of Senate amendments
and when the same program was taken up
this morning their voices were sadly lack
ing in carrying power.
There IL to be no abatement in the pro-
gram Of opposition.
The House reconvened at II o'clock in
continuation Of the legislative day Of
Thursday. When the gavel fell Mr.. RicI-
ardson. the minority leader, was on his
feet. "I make the point that no quorum Is
present" he said. I'VE can't do any busi-
ness in this republican House without a
quorum, except to unseat a democratic
member" he added.
The Speaker counted the members pres
ent, and after waiting about five minutes
enough members appeared to make up the
requisite number.
Naval Bill Sent to Conference.
Under the special rule adopted yesterday
the Speaker then laid before the House the
naval appropriation bill. with Senate
amendments. and upon roll call ard a
vote Of 243 to the amendments were dis
agreed to and the bill was sent to con-
ference.
The Speaker appointed the following con-
ferees: Messrs. Foss Qll), Dayton CIV.
Va) and Tate (Ga).
ence report upon the bill to amend the rail
roads safety appliance act. He declined
to make any arrangement about time LOT
debate, and after a brief explanation de.
manded the previous question. The roll
was called on the demand.
The previous question was ordered-155 to
sand another roll call followed on the
adoption of the report. 1t was agreed to-
247 to 3.
Mr. Underwood (Ala.) then attempted to
make the customary motion to reconsider
and lay that motion on the table, but the
point Of order being made that the motion
was dilatory the Speaker pro tenn (Mr
DalzelD sustained the point.
More Roll Calls.
Mr. Warner QIl.) presented conference
report on the bill relating to private corpo-
rations in Alaska, and Mr.. Richardson
raised the question OF consideration against
It, forcing a roll call.
The House voted-219 to ITO consider
the report.
Mr.. Warner made a brief explanation, and
then came two more roll calls one on
ordering the previous question and one on
the adoption Of the report
Mr.. Gaines Jeered Down.
The seventh roll call in the House this
afternoon was a resolution introduced
come days ago by Mr. Gaines Of Tennessee,
requiring the officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds In the District Of
Columbia to furnish the House with an
inventory Of property In the White House.
this list to contain also the property which
has been sold, to whom sold and for how
much. Mr.. Gaines called the resolution up
a. q privileged motion. WhAreupon Mr.
Payne, the republican floor leader. immedi-
ately moved to lay 1t on the table.
The House divided on this question and
the motion was lost by lot to 70. Mr..
Gaines then demanded that tellers be or
dered and the vote taken IN that manner,
whereupon Mr. Payne demanded the yeas
and nays on his motion to lay on the table.
Mr.. Gaines made an effort to characterize
the disposal Of property by sale from the
White House as scandalous. but the repub-
licans Jeered and appfauded 30 that his
words could not be heard. He subsided In a
moment and the roll was then called on the
motion to lay his resolution ON the table.