Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-05
Administration Succeeds
Whipping Majority Into
Line.
SMOOT'SIDEAW WINS OUT
Western Members Go Down
Fighting for CumminS'
Amendment. -

! Washington, March 5.-As soon as
the senate convened today It was ap-
parent the administration forces on
the postal savings bank bill had the
situation we'll in hand. Without pre-
liminaries Of any character a roll was
called Immediately upon the Cummins
amendment to the Smoot amendment,
and it was defeated 1s to 40.
Would Have Killed II.
This amendment would have confln-
ed to times Of war the investment OF
postal funds in government securities,
and it was charged by Senator Carter
and other supporters of the admins
tration bill its adoption would have
defeated the measure.
The Smoot amendment, which was
next in order, would permit the in
vestment of postal funds in govern.
ment securities IN times of war and
other exigencies, at the discretion OF
the president, whenever the govern
ment's credit was involved.
Bars Per Cent Bonds.
AS soon as the defeat of the Cum
Minis amendment was announced Bor-
ah offered another amendment to the
Smoot amendment, making such In
vestments apply only to bonds which
bear at least 2A per cent interest.
Smoot suggested this should read
yielding" at least ~ per cent. Car.
ter was willing to accept this susges-
tion, but Borah would not, and a vote
was taken on his amendment. II was
carried 40 to II. This will make # i'm
possible to use postal funds to buy
government 2 per cent securities, OF
which there are $730,O00,000 in exist
ence.
West Backs Cummins.
Nearly all the IS senators who vot-
ed for the Cummins amendment come
from the middle western states. They
were Beveridge, Borah. Brown. Burk.
EFT, Clapp, Crawford, Cummins, Dixon.
Dolliver, Gamble, La Toilette and Nc
Cumber. republicans, and Chamber
lain, Clarke of Arkansas, owen. Shive-
ly, Sloan and Taliaferro. democrats.
Is Compromise.
AS amended, the Smoot provision is
a compromise Of opposing views OF SEN
ators who believed some means OF per.
mitting the investment of postal funds
in government bonds was necessary to
make the bill constitutional, but IL
does not satisfy entirely those sena-
tors who have contended for a pro
vision to keep the postal deposits in
the communities where collected.
Democrats Oppose SmOot.
The vote by which the Smoot amend
ment, as amended by the Borah pro-
vision, was adopted by 46 ayes and "a
noes. The negative vote was cast
largely by democrats. but they were
joined by Bourne. La Toilette and Nc
Cumber McEnery was the only dem.
the provision.
Beveridge led the insurgents" vote
in favor of the amendment, and was
followed by a majority of his co
May Uae Any Bnnk.
Gallinger offered an amendment,
which was adopted II enables trus-
tees of postal savings banks 10 place
postal deposits with national. state
and savings banks and trust companies
doing a banking business.
Passed from Committee.
The postal bank bill passed from
he committee of the whole to the
senate late this afternoon.
Five Hours Of Talk.
After laboring yesterday for almost
six hours I'm atmosphere surcharged
With the electricity generated by sharp
conflicts OF opinion. the senate again
JAILED to reach vote on the postal
savings bank bill. and once more took
/ recess.
The result OF this action is that the
legislative day Of March was contin-
led until today. Not during the several
weeks that the postal bill has been be-
ore the senate has there been day OF
lebate approaching in any degree the
Of yesterday. Beginning
It 1880 o'clock the flow of oratory con
inued without interruption until after
O'Clock. when I'm utter despair OF
eaching the end. Mr.. Carter moved a
ecess