The Washington times., 1931-03-04


Vice President angrily interrupted
him at the stroke of noon and
declared the Senate adjourned
sine die.
House in Good HumOr
The House was in good humOr
with members debating the merits
and defects Of the Hoover Admin
iStratiOn in striking contrast to
the Senate, which was Strangled
by Senator Elmer Thomas (DO Of
Oklahoma, who filibuStered all
pending legislation to death.
President Hoover spent the last
hour of the session in the Presl-
dents room of the Capitol, sign
ing bills and comforting with
party leaders. He was accom-
panied by members Of his Cab
met. He held little impromptu
reception in the ante room, scores
Of senators and representatives
greeting him in addition to host
Of politicians and Capitol attaches.
Signs Deficiency Bill
The President signed a number
Of bills, starting with the second
deficiency act, carrying $85, ,000,-
900 for a host of governmental
activities.
He was armed with an opinion
Of the Attorney General, however,
that held he had 10 days in which
to act on all measures he failed to
sign before Congress stopped.
In all he had between 800 and
400 bills awaiting his approval
or veto.
Vet Hospital Bill Passed
One important piece of Iegisla.
ton was enacted at the final seS-
sion, when the House accepted
Senate amendments to the new
veterans disqualification act ap-
prOpriating S2O.85O,OOO for hOspi-
tails and soldiers homes.
Later $5,00O,0O0 appropria-
tion was jammed through to fl
nance the start of this cOnstruc-
ton work. Republican leaders
exerted an iron hand rule to get
the measures through the House
and Thoma; gingerly yielded
moYnentarily to let the Senate
enact the appropriation.
Hundreds of ills died with the
expiration of Congress. The list
was topped ')y the famous ma
ternity aid act, the Vestal copy
right bill, a measure SlaShing all
immigration by so per cent for
the next two years, and a pro
posed embargo on oil products
with a limitation of crude oil
imports.
Bills Doomed Anyway
Senator Thomas gave the death
blow to these bills by his filihus-
ter, but they were doomed any
way, because other Senators
were ready to talk them to death.
The Thomas filihuster was
curious. Senator Thomas was
angered by he refusal Of the
Senate to consider the proposed
restrictions on oil imports and
by its delay in acting on
resolution, authorizing an investi-
cation of the oil industry. He
obtained the floor last night,
held it for two hours, yielded
for the over night recess, and
resumed speaking again when
the Senate reCOnvened at y
o'clock this morning.
On at least three occasions,
Senator Thomas refused even to
let the Senate vote on the resolu-
tion proposing the Oil inquiry.
This made it apparent he was
killing other legislation because
the embargo act was doomed
rather than to force action on the
proposed inquiry.
His conduct created bad feeling,
somewhat alIeviated when the
OklahOman yielded from time to
time to permit passage of minor
bills at the urgent request Of mis-
colleagues.
OratOry Thrills House
The House was in different
mood. There were flights of ora
tory and, when Speaker Long
worth dismissed the House, a
public song fest was staged on the
floor with elaborate ceremonies.
All party lines were shattered and
political problems forgotten as the
House members sang and shouted
in happy celebration.
ShOrtridge Interrupts
During Senator Thomas filibus-
ter many Senators tried to induce
him to relent but failed. Sen
ator Shortridge (RD of Cali,
fornia was denied permission to
present a report from the Priv
ileges and Election Committee
"as a privileged matter" when
Curtis ruled Senator Thomas
would lose the floor if he yielded
Then Senator Bingham asked If
Senator Thomas knew there were
"some 200 poStmaSters" awaiting
confirmation. Senator Thomas
answered:
"The chairman of the COM
mittee (PhippS (RD of Colo
radO) had them in his hand
last night when he objected to
my request"
Both House and Senate re,
mained in session until after mid.
night on their final night. while