Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-16
PROPOSAL TO VOTE
ON MAIL PAY VETO
BLOCKED IN SENATE
Sterling Engineers Fi!ibuster
Until Shoals Bill
Comes Up.
CALLS OVERRIDING MOVE
ASSAULT ON ECONOMY
Test Vote Taken During Debate
Indicated Plan Would
Fall Through.

An attempt 20 force vote on the
Presidents veto of the postal pay bill
failed in the Senate today, when d
one-man fllibuster by Senator Ster-
ling, Republican, South Dakota, held
up the measure until 2 o'clock. when
the Senate automatically turned to
consideration of the Muscle Shoals
issue.
Senator Ashurst, Democrat. Arizona,
was successful in bringing the Ques-
tion to the floor. where it appeared
that a vote would be taken, but par
liamentary tactics. engineered by ad-
ministration forces, successfully fore
stalled it.
ShelYed by shoals Bill.
The failure of those advocating
overriding was brought about by a
decision of President Cummins that
Chairman Sterling of the post Office
committee should have unlimited
time to debate his motion that the
whole question be sent back to COM
mittee.
The Muscle Shoas bill, with a
privileged status, was on the cal
endar for pm. 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 Mis-
souri, and Harrison of Mississippi
and supported by Senator Norris. Re
publican, Nebraska, sought In vain to
book debate by various parlia-
mentary appeals, which were over
ruled.
The matter came up when Senator
Sterling introduced his bill for in
creasing both postal rates and postal
salaries. Senator Ashurst immedi-
ately objected TO a second reading of
the bill, thus blocking the procedure
to committee. He then moved that
the Senate give immediate attention
to President Coolidges veto of the
postal salaries bill.
Senator Sterling objected. but SEN
stOr Cummins. president pro TEN,
declared the motion in order and or
dered a roll call.
The action blocked an administra-
ton move by which il was hoped the
veto vote would be held up until ac-
ton on a measure to increase postal
rates was before the Senate.
The Senate then voted to move to
immediate consideration OF the veto.
Senator Sterling then moved that
the question be referred to a COM
mittee. which resulted in another
roll call. The vote on Senator
.Ashursts motion for consideration
was 81 to so. Thirteen Republicans
voted to take up the bill and three
Democrats were recorded in opposi-
tton.
Long Debate Indicated.
Before the first name was called
Senator Sterling announced that he
wished to be heard" on the question,
indicating the possibility OF extended
debate. Supporters of the Presidents
veto professed to see in the vote on
the motion TO take up the question
the assurance that the required two
thirds vote could not be obtained.
Republicans voting for immediate
consideration of the postal pay in
crease measure were Couzens. Michi-
gan; Cummins. Iowa; Edge, New Jer-
sey; Frazier, North Dakota; Howell,
Nebraska; Johnson, California: Jones,
Washington; Ladd, North Dakota;
Mckinley, Illinois; McNary, Oregon;
Reed, Pennsylvania; Stanfield. Ore
son; Wadsworth, New York. Senator
Norbeck also was included. but cor
rected his vote after the roll call
Senator'S Bruce, Maryland: Dial,
South Carolina, and King. Utah, were
the Democrats who Joined the Repub-
licans opposing consideration.
A controversy to whether debate
was limited by a unanimous consent
agreement reached last Saturday was
settled when the chair held in the
negative, but announced that the
Muscle Shoals bill would be laid be-
fore the Senate at o'clock under
the rules, putting aside the postal
bill.
Meanwhile the parliamentary tam
gle became so involved that Presi-
dent Cummins 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.
Senator Sterling, finally regaining
the floor, declared that policy of
economy would be overthrown by
unfavorable action on the veto.
Let the vote of the last election
guide US in determining our stand
on the Presidents economy policy"
he said, adding that no emergency
existed demanding a general increase
in postal salaries. lie said a bill
could be better drawn on q differ
entail basis, allowing increases where
living costs We're high.