Evening star., 1922-05-28
.ll0D|F|ED CLOTURE
IN SENATE SOUGHT
'scpubIicans Being FolIed on
Move to Expedite
Tariff Bill.

Bent upon putting through a modi-
i cloture rule, SO that considera-
ison of the tariff bill and other rev.
e!ue and appropriation measures in
Ie future may be expedited, men,
.,ers of the republican conference of
re Senate last evening were circu-
a:ing a declaration favpring the
adoption of an amendment to the
rules of the Senate for this purpose.
The declaration, which is in effect
poll of the Senate republicans as
well as a round robin, is being
slgned, it is said by large majority
OF the republican member rship.
Senator Kellogg of Minnesota. who
- prime mover in the effort to
rring about cloture on the tariff BILL
said he did not believe there would
lie more than half dozen of the
S!xty republican members of the Sem
ite who would oppose the cloture
plan.
Caucus Again Wednesday.
In the meantime. the republican
conference is to meet again WednSs-
Jay, when this question of cloture
on the tariff bill is to come up again
At a meeting of the republican
conference yesterday it was found
impossible to reach a decision on the
matter. Senators Moses of New
Hampshire. Mccormick of Illinois
snd France of Maryland took the
loor against the cloture proposal and
trongly opposed it, while Senators
Townsend of Michigan. Lenroot OF
wisconsin and others favored it.
while l would be in favor, person
ally. of a rule which would permit a
majority of the Senate to bring about
cioture on any measure that might
come before it, believing that the ma
jority should rule" said Senator KEEL
Iogg, discussing the matter last night.
the proposed rule would apply only
TO appropriation bills and bills rais-
\ ing revenue. 1t is Impossible for the
government to live without revenue
and without appropriations. There
should be no filibuster permitted
against such measures, So far as
treaties with foreign nations are con-
cerned and amendments to the Con-
stitution, it requires a two-thirds vote
of the Senate to put through treaty
or a resolution for a constitutional
amendment. The present rules Of the
Senate provide for cloture by two
thirds vote, and. unless a treaty or a
constitutional amendment could COM
mand a two-thirds vote. il would be
idle to put through a cloture rule in
connection with them"
Democrats Plan Fight.
Senator kellogg predicted that at
the meeting next Wednesday. the re-
publican conference would authorize
and go on record in favor of an
amendment to the rules for majority
cloture on appropriation and revenue
bills. He said that formal notice
would be given the Senate. in con-
formity with the existing rule, that
an amendment to the rules would be
proposed. A majority then would
adopt the proposed new rule.
The democrats have given notice
they would fight any such attempt at
cloture on the tariff bill. But If the
republicans are in earnest about it,
and a ruie is offered. the chances are
that after a bitter struggle. it could
be adopted. Amendments offered by
the democrats would be subject to a
motion to lay on the table, and the
rules provide that a senator may
speak only twice on a given proposal.
With eleven-hour sessions, the demo-
Gratis eventually would be worn out
and the rule put through, 1t. is said.
There is a growing feeling among
the republicans that the country is
sick of endless debate in the Senate
and wants action. In every short
session of Congress, which occurs
every two years, great difficulty is
experienced in getting through the
necessary annual appropriation bills
because of long debates allowed In
recent years, some of these supply
bills have failed to pass before the
adjournment of the Congress and
special sessions have been necessary.