The Washington times., 1924-04-15
LACES
| A|N|PERT
BILL
Measure Would Continue Life
Of Existing Body Until 1926.
Without Change.

The Lampert bill to extend the
District rent act probably will be
abandoned in the House as a
result of the filibuster which
yesterday blocked it's considera-
ton.
At conference between sup
porters of the bill early this
afternoon it was tentatively
agreed to abandon the complicat-
ed Lampert bill and to substi-
tute a bill to extend the existing
rent act without change.
Changes Are Provided.
The Lampert bin, which covers
thirty-five pages, provides for more
than Q score Of changes in that
law. Supporters of the bill have
practically conceded that it has no
chance for passage.
Congressman James T. Begg. Of
Ohio, one of the strongest support
ers Of the rent legislation indicated
following the conference that the
House Rules Committee will be
asked to report a special rule pro-
viding for immediate consideration
of the new bill TO extend the act.
The extension bill, which prob
ably viii be framed within the next
few days, probably win not con-
tain more than q hundred words
and will therefore offer little oppor-
tunity. for dilatory amendments NJ
the kind employed in the filibuster
against the Lampert bill.
To Expire in 1925.
The bill will provide, as does the
Lampert bill, for extension of the
act until August, 1926.
Congressman Charles L. Under
hill of Massachusetts,, one Of the
bitterest opponents of the Lampert
bill, was informed of the confer
ence action and indicated that he
would withdraw his Opposition If
the proposed bill were. to limit
the extension Of the act for one
year.
succeeded in having the, House
adopt an amendment cutting the
membership of the Rent Commits
sion from five to three commits
sioners. He probably will not
insist that this amendment be
added to the proposed bill.
FilibuSter affective.
An all day fight over the hill
yesterday on the floor found the
House with but three Of the thirty
five pages of the bill completed.
Unable to break the filibuster, sup
porters of the bill agreed to an ad-
journment shortly after 6 o'clock.
The filibuster, conducted under
Congressman Thomas L. BlantOn Of
Texas, was one Of the most effec-
tive ever applied in the House.
One hour and half was consumed
by a. roll call and two quorum calls
demanded by the Texan. Forty
five, minutes more were taken up
by a first reading OF the bill, also
demanded by Blanton. 1t was the
first time this session that a first
reading of a bill has been required.
The battle was not without its
amusing features. During the read
ing of the bill Congressman Ed
ward King, Of Illinois, interrupted
proceedings to suggest to BlantOn
that the reading clerk was proceed
ing. too rapidly for the purposes of
q filibuster. He suggested that
Blanton himself read the bill 30
that the process might be drawn
out.
At another point Congressman
Edgar Howard of Nebraska
launched an impromptu filibuster
to prevent Blanton speaking on an
amendment. Blanton holly denied
the propriety of "a filibuster within
filibuster," while the House
reared with laughter.
BlantOn Sarcastic.
Congressman Ben johnson also
got q big laugh when he com.
planned that he had been "rising
to his feet every five minutes and
at every available opportunity all
afternoon in an effort to get the
floor" bat had been denied hearing
through the ironlclad filibuster.
4 At another point Blanton, In a
towering rage, contemptuously re.
ferred to Congressman James 4.
Begg OF Ohio, a leading supporter
of the bill, as the distinguished
uh-statesman from Ohio"
All during the afternoon the
members of the House went
through !. regular setting up exer-
cises, as they were called to their
feet on vote after vote, interpreted
by strolls around the hall, as they