The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-04
WILL F|L|BUSTERS'
 BE ABOLISHED BY. SENATE MEMBERS
Members of Body Divided Into Three Schools of Thought Upon This Important
 Question
WASHINGTON BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HEKALD Washington. ID. C.. March a


 cries have emanated from various sources that the rules of the Senate must be liberalized, canvass of that body as it is constituted today. indicates that time is far distant when anything approaching a clo- ture will be established
 There are in the Senate three schools of thought which make clo- ture of an effective character im- possible. The first is composed of those senators who adhere to the idea that the Senate should be the greatest deliberative body in the world in the sense that the Senate should not be circumscrihed in it's power to ponder even if that ponder results in infinite delay. The second Is composed of those senators who are aware that certain other sena- tors, for political consideration, are ever prone to take advantage Of an opportunity 10 interfere with condi- tions in and institutions of the south. The force bill of Senator Lodge and the ti-lynching bill of Representa- tive Dyer are cited as points in in- stance.
 The third school is composed of those senators who are termed pro fessiona1 orators and who, under even reasonably effective cloture, would be handicapped in daily grati- flying their appetite for the round of their voices. There would never be a chance. it is pointed out, for these senators to vote in favor of measure which would eliminate their principal claim to greatness. VIII Make Attempt.
 In the next session, however, an attempt will be made to liberalize the rules 30 that the Senate can discharge business with reasonable expedition. Such an attempt will be successful, it is indicated, although practically every senator interviewed predicted that anything approximat- ing the rules of the House ..ould be impossible of achievement, It is admitted that rule approaching the golden mean is desired, one that would check the flow of incense auen;ial language and would not, al the same time, hamstrlng de- lenders of the constitution when at tempts against that instrument are in order. It is learned definitely that the rules committee, al the beginning Of the next session will attempt to make it impossible for a minority indefinitely to defeat the will of a majority. or for ma jority to ride roughshod over mi nority. While the present rules which give into the hands of no more than 10 determined men power-If they desire tito hold up Senate pro- ceedings from the beginning to an end of a session. would seem n- defensible. there are senators who would oppose any change in the rules. Senator Stanley of Kentucky, an exceedingly able man. and a stu dent of history and parliamentary procedure, declares:
 O O o
 BIames Confusion.
 The evil of modern legislation is not our over consideration; is not our slowness in enacting law. is not the paucity of measures enacted It is in the multiplicity of acts, in the lack of consideration. in the hurry, the confusion. the responsibility which mark the deliberations of both houses of Congress.
 There never was a time when it was more necessary that Congress should hold and exercise every pow CT it now retains and every good expedient now available for the pro- lection of the legislative body of this nation against executive aggression" :"
 Senator Heflin of Alabama believes that a minority at all times should be in position to defeat a majority. In the Senate. he declared: II have no patience with this talk about the not having the right to iill- buster bill to death. I think that if the minority is convinced that q measure is wrong that somebody is about to put over deal on the American people, it is at liberty to use any tactics at it's command to defeat the bill.''
 Senator Pepper of Pennsylvania, who has impressed the Senate with his ability to think straight, pictured what is regarded as an ideal situa- ton when he declared in the Senate: T hope the future will find me in position of man ready to speak on the subject before the Senate so long, but only so long, as l am speaking to the point and expressing q vital conviction respecting the measure before the body. But hope, sir, that I will never be found in the position of talking against time merely be- cause I disapprove ofS~thc result which the majority is trying to put across"
 Favors Majority Rule.
 .l .l tR leader. Insists that majrrity rule is q Fundamental of government which the Senate cannot safely ignore He conducted the filibuster against the Dyer bill so effectively that the Sen ate was strangled within three days, and forced to yield. But, as he ex- plained. that bill struck unconstitu- tionally at a vital principle. namely the right of a state to control It's own internal affairs. and did not solely involve dollars and cents.
 Senator Underwood declared that but for the fact that the democratic party believes in the right of the ma jority to rule, the republicans would never have been able to enact the Fordney- -McCumber tariff act. He pointed out that had the Senate been required to answer roll call. which could have been demanded. on each of the 2.000 Senate amendments to the tariff act. the passage of that act would have been an event Of August 19, 1924.
 Senator Willis of Ohio expressed the sentiment of what appears to be a majority of the thoughtful mem bers of the Senate when he declared: .The time is near at. hand when the 1r.i1l lxn l.A amended so as to. make out of the, Senate . legislative body, rather than q mere debating society. or, at times. a vaudeville show
 TO ENTERTAIN VISITORS
 NEW ORLEANS. March 3.--Offi- cials of New Orleans, Lodge No. 30.