Evening star., 1932-12-20
BLOCKS |
TRACTION MERGER.
Blaine Still Has Floor, Ready
to Read 40 Pages of
Material.

No sign Of a break in the filibuster
against the District street railway mer-
ger plan was apparent at noon today
as the Senate entered the second round
Of a parliamentary battle over the reso-
luton.
Senator Blaine of Wisconsin, who is
bending every effort to keep the question
from coming up, still had the floor and
was prepared with more than 40 pages
of material to continue speaking
throughout the afternoon. He served
notice yesterday that he would oppose
action on the pending consolidation
plan as long as his strength held out.
Senator Blaine did not Immediately
resume debate on the merger when the
Senate convened, the first hour being
taken up by a speech by Senator Bank
head of Alabama on farm bill re-
lating to wheat and cotton.
Await Chance to Vote.
Advocates Of the plan, meanwhile,
were standing by, awaiting an oppor-
tunity to vote.
The pending question is whether the
consolidation resolution is to be con-
sidered The motion, if carried would
make the merger the unfinished busi-
ness from day to day until disposed Of
either by direct vote or by an effort
to displace it with some other business
For approximately two hours yester-
day afternoon, with Interruptions. Sena-
tor Blaine spoke on the list OF amend
ments which he ard Chairman Cap
per of the District Committee contend
should be attached to the pending reso-
luton.
Reviews Long Effort.
Senator Austin Of Vermont. leading
the fight for adoption Of the merger
plan as drafted by a majority of the
District Committee, opened the discus
sion with a brief resume Of the efforts
which have been going on for many
Of Washington together. He read to the
Senate long list of the civic and trade
organizations of the city that are urging
action at this time.
Senator Blaine contended that. with
out the amendment advocated by him.
self and Senator Capper, the merger
would not be in the public interest. and
he warned supporters Of the resolution
that they might as we'll dig themselves
in for the Winter
Late yesterday Senator Mckeller.
Democrat, of Tennessee, Joined Blaine
in the discussion by declaring the mer-
ger should not be permitted until fares
are reduced.
La Toilette Starts Skirmish.
The first parliamentary skirmish
came when Senator La Toilette Of Wis
consin, Blaines colleague, called for
quorum. La Toilette was endeavoring
to have the Senate adjourn rather than
recess, which would have meant the
first two hours of today's session would
have to be devoted to miscellaneous
matters.
On the first call quorum was not
obtained, but Senator McNary OF
Oregon, assistant Republican floor
leader, indicated he would insist on re-
cessing and had motion adopted di.
recting the sergeant at arms to round
up absent members After brief wait
a quorum was obtained and McNary
succeeded in bringing about recess.
Subcommittee Meets.
Members of a subcommittee OF the
Citizens Joint Transportation Commit
tee. which is seeking solution to the
whole transportation problem In wash
ington, met yesterday, with People, S
Counsel Richmond B. Keech and As
sistant Corporation Counsel William A.
Roberts acting in behalf of the Public
Utilities Commission, to discuss phases
of the pending legislation which are
subjects of controversy.
Following the meeting 1t was an
nounced on behalf of the committee
that an understanding had been reached
as to objections of Mr. Keech and MI
Roberts. The subcommittee, appointed
by Chairman Thomas P. Littlepage TO
pave the way for agreement so as to
expedite Senate action on the merger,
was to submit detailed report to the
whole committee at a meeting today.
Representatives of the Interfederation
Conference called on Chairman Patrick
and presented him with resolution
adopted by that body last night, which
suggested the pending controversies on
the merger bill be solved by conference
to be summoned by the Public Utilities
Commission. The resolution suggested
the peoples counsel and representatives
of the transit companies be summoned
by the commission with view to ad-
justing all differences so that the bill
may receive universal approval and thus
insure the passage of an acceptable
merger bill at the present session OF
Congress"
James G. Yaden, E. L. Bennett and
Stephen James formed the committee
which called on Gen. Patrick.