Perth Amboy evening news., 1924-12-16
BLOCK MOVES
ON POSTAL PAY
6. O. P. Leaders Foil Attempt
Coolidge's Veto on
Bill in the Senate
QUESTION ON FLOOR
BY Move of Ashurst, but Vote
Is Forestalled by Apt
Manueyering

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16:-Admin-
istration leaders in the senate today
blocked an effort to override Presi-
dent Coolidge's veto of the postal
pay bill.
Senator Ashurst, Democrat, Ari-
zona, was successful in bringing the
question to the floor but through
parliamentary maneuyering a vote
was forestalled.
The failure of those advocating
overriding was brought about by a
decision of President Cummins that
Chairman Sterling OF the postoffice
committee should have unlimited
time to debate his motion that the
whole question be sent back TO the
committee. The Muscle Shoals bill,
with a privileged sctatus was on the
calendar for p. m. and opponents
of a veto held the floor until that
hour. automatically displacing the
effort to override.
In the two hour fight Democrats.
led by Senators Ashurst; Reed of
Missouri. and Harrison of Mississippi
and supported by Senator Norris.
Republican, Nebraska, sought in
vain to block debate by various
parliamentary moves which were
overruled.
AT one State Senator McKeIlar.
Democrat, Tennessee, moved an ap-
peal from ruling by President
Cummins but this vote also was
blocked by Senator Sterlings' debate.
Senator Ashhurst moved in the
senate that the senate give imme-
date consideration of President
bill.
The action was intended to block
an administration move by which II
was hoped the veto vote would be
held up until action on a measure tn
increase postal rates was before the
senate.
Oyerruling an objection by Senator
Sterling, Republican, South Dakota.
president Pro Tenn Cummins declar-
ed the motion in order and ordered
that the roll be called.
The senate then voted to move to
immediate consideration of the veto.
u Senator Sterling then moved that
the question be referred to a COM
mittee, which resulted in another
rollcall. The vote on Senator Ash
hursts motion for consideration was
81 TO 80. Fourteen Republicans
voted to take up the bill and three
Democrats were recorded in oppo-
sition.
Senator Ashhurst. Democrat. Ari-
zona, objected to second reading of
the bill and the procedure by which
reference of it to a committee would
have been carried out Immediately
was blocked. He said he would ex-
plain his action later.
The increases in rates which would
be levied on the third and fourth
class mail matter, would call for
about $30,0O0,000. 1t is estimated
$12, 2,500,000 additional would be gain
ed from proposed increases in postal
cards and some miscellaneous first
class mail, s10.S76.000 by increases
on second class mail. including news
papers. and $4.161.000 by increases
on insurance and collect delivery
services.
Senator Sterling. favored open
hearings to continue through the
Christmas recess, making possible a
report to the floor by the time con-
gress re-convenes after the holidays.
Z Republicans voting for Immediate
OF lllt postal pay IN
crease measure were Couzens, Michi-
gan; Cummins, Iowa; Edge, New
Jersey; Frazier, North Dakota; How
ell, Nebraska; Johnson, California:
Jones, Washington; Ladd, North
Dakota: Mckinley. Illinois; McNary,
Oregon; Reed, Pennsylvania; Stan
field, Oregon; Wadsworth, New
York: Senator Norbeck also was in
cluded but corrected his vote after
the roll call.
Senators Bruce, Maryland; Dial,
South Carolina, and King, Utah, were
the Democrats who joined the Re
publ.cans opposing consideration.
The chairs ruling diminished the
prospects of those pressing for an
immediate vote because 1t would al
low those opposing to talk until the
question OF over riding lost It's place
before the senate.
Meanwhile the parliamentary
tangle became so involved that
President Cummings asked the clerk
to read the record of proceedings TO
guide him. Senators on both sides
were on their feet demanding the
floor at several stages.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ia bill