Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-03-10
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Long Filibuster in Senate
Marks End of Sixty
Ninth Congress.
BY EDWARD W. PlckARp

0J EQWHnG w. nv MN
NJ OF without considerable good
work to its credit, the Sixty-ninth
congress gave up the ghost on Friday.
Considerable important legislation was
left unfinished because of a filibuster
in the senate which provided as fine
an exemplification of the need of re-
forming the senates rules as Vice
President Dawes could wish.
Senator Reed of Missouri was deter
mined TO get a vote on his resolution
continuing the life of his "sush fund"
committee, and several test votes
showed that he had a majority with
him. But the old guard Republicans
were equally determined to frustrafe
him, and, led by Senator Reed of
Pennsylvania, they carried on fill
buster which kept the senate in con-
tinuous session for 81 hours Mis-
souri, Reed would not permit an
adjournment, so the senators, or
quorum of them, dozed in their
seats or read novels while colleagues
talked unfortunately on various top
les. For instance, Cameron of Ari-
zona spent nearly three hours reading
huge manuscript concerning the cop
per-mining industry of his state, and
Cole Blease read the entire constitu-
ton of South Carolina. Reed of Penn
sylvania at one time demanded an in
vestigation of elections in Southern
states.
"Wil you investigator" demanded
Reed of Pennsylvania, .if / bring you
the affidavits of persons denied the
privilege of voting?"
"Nor" countered Reed of Missouri.
But if you can make out prima
facie case of any Southern senator
being here illegally | will investigate.
The trouble is that you don't want an
investigation. That's why you are
holding up the public business with
this filibuster."
Time out was taken Wednesday af-
ternoon and the bill to regulate prohi-
bition enforcement was passed. In
the early hours Of Thursday there was
an attempt to suspend the filibuster
temporarily and dispose of the public
building, alien property return and
second deficiency appropriation bills.
Every one consented except Blease,
but he was stubborn and the filibus-
ter was resumed. Shortly after mid
night, Thursday, the deadlock was
broken and the senate adjourned I'M
til 8 30 Friday morning In the few
remaining hours of the Sixty-ninth
congress an attempt was made to
pass the important second deficiency
appropriation bill, but it failed.
Among the blocked business was
the report of the Reed committee cit
ing Samuel insult and d. J. Schuyler
of Chicago and T. w. Cunningham of
Philadelphia for contempt. Reed said
he would revive this at the beginning
of the next session in December.
IN SEVERAL respects the navy
L Jared we'll last week. On Monday
the house by vote OF 243 to Ill APP
proved of the elevation of turret guns
on the battleships Oklahoma and Ne
vada. The bill appropriates $13 $780,.
600 for modernization Of those YES
sells, increases the cost limit of the
new airplane carriers, Lexington and
Saratoga, now building from $4,000
900 to $40,O00,0O0 each and increases
the cost limit of a fleet Of submarines
now in the course of construction
from $5,3OO,OOO to $6.300,OO0
On Wednesday President Coolidge
signed this measure. and also gave his
approval to two other navy bills. One
of these appropriates $31S,0OO000 for
strengthening the navy, the principal
feature being the construction of three
new cruisers. The other bill authorizes
an appropriation of $4,654,000 for i'm
provements at the naval stations at
Coco Solo, Canal Zone; Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii; Sand Point, Wash, and San
Diego, Calf
While, of course, the cruiser bill
conferred about the three speedy fight
ing craft. the measure contains for the
first time an adequate appropriation
for naval aviation. Rear Admiral Moi