Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-03-11
The Filibnster.

Republican "0ld Guard" members Of the
Senate conducted q flibuster during the
closing days Of the Sixty-ninth Congress
to defeat passage of the resolution en-
powerine the Senate special investigating
committee. of which Senator Reed. Demo-
crat, Of Missouri. is chairman, to continue
its investigation into primary and election
frauds in Pennsylvania. Illinois and other
States in which there is evidence of fraud
having been committed during the 1925
primaries and elections
The filbuster was led by Senators Reed
OF Pennsylvania, Noses Of New Hampshire
and Phipps Of Colorado. The last named
is chairman Of the Republican Senatorial
Committee which managed the Republican
Senatorial campaign last year.
For days, these Senators. in the face Of
the will Of more than two-thirds Of the
Senate. filibustered to prevent an investi-
cation. not only in Pennsylvania and ILL
nois, but also in Colorado. the home State
OF Chairman Phipps. where there are also
allegations Of fraud
This filibuster was conducted during the
same week that the United States Supreme
Court handed down its famous decision
sustaining the government In the Doheny
California oil lease case in which the court
declared the oil which E. L. Doheny neso-
tiated with Republican Secretary Of the
Inter or Albert B. Fall was consummated
in fraud and corruption. During the same
week, jury in Federal Court in New
York convicted Thomas w. Miller, Alien
Property Custodian under Presidents Hard
ing and Coolidge, Of conspiracy. in a case
involving huge graft in the conduct Of that
office. in which former Attorney General
Harry N. Dausherty was also indicted.
1t will be recalled that "Uld Guard
Republican Senators opposed the investi-
cation Of the oil leases and fought against
the investigation into the Office Of Attor-
ney General Daueherty and Alien Property
Custodian Miller. In the face of court de-
cisions sustaining every charge Of fraud
and corruption made by Democratic Sena-
tors, and in the face of the senatorial
disclosures In the Pennsylvania and ILL
nois primaries, made by the Senate inves-
tisating committee, Senators Reed Of Penn
sylvania. Moses and Phipps filibustered to
death the resolution to continue these
investigations until all Of the facts are
brought to light. They also opposed it
because they feared an investigation into
Republican campaign expenditures and
methods in Senator Phipps' own State,
Colorado.
BY their filibuster. Senators Reed of
Pennsylvania. Moses and Phipps. tied up
the Senate's legislative program during
the closing days Of the session. and de-
feated several very important measures
Among other measures their filibuster pre-
vented passage Of the bill lowering the
rates on second-class mail and on parcel
post. prevented the passage Of the bill for
the return Of alien property seized during
the war to its riehtful owners, defeated the
public building appropriation in which
every State in the Union is interested and
defeated a deficiency appropriation bill
affecting the interests and welfare of hun
dreds Of thousands Of citizens. particularly
former service men and widows of civil
war and other war veterans.
The deficiency bill carried an apptopria-
ton Of S25.000.000 with which to make
loans to world war veterans on their ad-
justed compensation certificates. The fill
buster makes 1t impossible for the veterans
to borrow this money from the government.
The bill carried $37 100000 for payment
Of pensions Of widows of veterans Of the
civil war and other wars and other PEN
sions granted by act Of Congress during
the remainder Of the fiscal year ending
June 80 next. Many widows and veter-
ans will not now receive pensions for
several months because Of this filibuster.
The bill also carried an appropriation Of
approximately $20.000,0 900 for going for
ward with public building construction in
several hundred towns and cities. The
filibuster makes 1t impossible to continue
this needed building work. Il also contained
hundreds Of smaller items affecting the
welfare Of thousands Of people.
The willful filibuster Of these "Old Guard "
Republican Senators defeated all this and
other meritorious legislation which an
overwhelming majority Of Senators favored
but could not get vote on. Defeat Of all
these matters was brought about by the
three "0ld Guard" Senators mentioned and
some twenty-odd Of their associates who
opposed any investigation into election
scandals and even voted against even
considering the resolution TO investigate.