Evening star., 1933-01-18
OBSTRUCTION USED
TO FIGHT CLOTURE
Thomas Refuses Unanimous
Consent to Allow Watson
to Make Address,.
Continued From First page.)

Referring to a provision which pro-
yides for the enforcement Of national
banks from their security affiliates
within three years, he directed the at
tention of his colleagues to an opinion
regarding affiliates prepared by
solicitor general under President Taft
That opinion, he said, 'conclusively
proves that these afflliates, are back
stairs institutions, have no legal exist
ence and are practicing business
denied them" by the letter and spirit
of the national bank act.
Long interrupted Glass at one point
to propose five amendments. The prin-
cipal one would permit banks to con-
tinue to buy and sell Government. State
and municipal securities through Sc
curity affiliates.
Long also proposed keeping the
Secretary of the Treasury on the Federal
Reserve Board.
Three proposals for modifying the
Senatc's traditional rule Of unlimited
debate were inspired late yesterday by
the f1libuster as aroused Democratic
leaders sought to break the rebellion
within their ranks by cloture.
May Force Rules Change.
The deep schism on the Democratic
side of the Senate was sharply outlined
as 20 members Of the party signed the
cloture petition directed at a minority
led by Long.
Making the rule effective depended
upon Republican support, which Sen
ator Watson predicted would not be
given. A vote will be taken tomorrow.
A two-thirds majority is necessary.
The proposals for changing the SEN
ates historic and oft-criticized rule of
unlimited debate indicated, however,
that the filibuster may have even more
far-reaching consequences.
One of them came from Senator
Robinson of Arkansas, Democratic lead
er, who sought to make 1t possible to
limit debate by majority instead of
a two-thirds vote.
Senator Tydings, Democrat, of Mary
land. who revealed he was considering
resigning 'in disgust" at the Senate's
procedure, proposed rule limiting de-
bate for the remainder of the session,
while Senator Hastings, Republican, of
Delaware suggested making a perma-
nent limitation of two hours on
speeches, subject to extension by the
Senate.
Glass Hits Filibusters.
With the Senate in a turmoil over
the parliamentary situation, Senator
Glass took the floor yesterday afternoon
to defend his bill and denounce what he
termed the circus performance" of the
filibusters.
Without naming Senator Long, the
diminutive Virglnian lashed into many
of his statements as "rnisrepresenta-
tions" and "falsehoods."
Glass referred to "oratorical rubbish
and elecutionary misrepresentation
with which he said opponents had be
spattered" his bill.
He asserted in q voice shaking with
feeling that never in the history of
Congress has any serious measure been
proposed which received more extensive
or intensive inquiry than this pending
bank measure"
He said the bill had the approval in
general of both President Hoover and
President-elect Roosevelt and that the
implication the bill had been rushed
into the Senate was "as false as any
that was ever uttered by any human
lips
Asserting that real opposition to the
bill was based on It's provision for di-
vorcing banks and their security affili-
ates. Glass said certain financial in
terests had melted opposition to other
features in order to kill this portion
of the bill.
Defeat of the security afhliates clause,
he said, would enable them again to
fill the portfolios of the banks OF this
country with their investment securities
which our whole investigation made 1t
to this depression"
Turning to the provisions Of the bill
permitting branch banking Glass said
he had letters from thousands of busi-
ness men and bankers urging it and
challenged any one to produce a letter
from single business man who wants
credit and is against it." He added:
All this talk about the cold and
shiyering and starving people Is from
Senators who haven't lifted their fingers
to help them"
The virginian denounced as wan
ton falsehood" the statement that he
sponsored legislation to permit bank
notes to be issued on the basis of worth
less foreign securities.
There Is no difference In the cul-
pability of one who originates lie and
the one who disseminates it." Glass
said, asserting that statement had been
sponsored by member of the Senate
1T Is thing that gentlemen scorn,
that never appeals to an upright and
honorable man. The whole purpose was
to cast approbrium upon me or on this
bill"
Several times during his speech Glass
referred to "any respectable Senator"
as his colleagues smiled.
Quotes Two Platforms.
He quoted from the Democratic and
Republican platforms and President
elect Roosevelts Columbus campaign
speech to show the demand for banking
reform
He said the bills provision for a cor
poration to liquidate closed banks and
pay off depositors some $4,000, ,000,0 900
owed them was highly essential. and
pointed out the Government could ex-
pect repayment for its appropriations
for the corporation through dividends
derived from It's activities.
Why are the people out of employ
ment and clothesless and hungry?" he
asked, adding: Because this 81, SOC, ,0O0,- :
900 of deposits in closed banks has de-
prived them and fear has taken posses
sion of the minds of depositors who
withhold deposits and force the banks
to decline to extend credit to commerce
and industry
Meanwhile some Senators who de-
plore the failure Of the Senate to legis-
late and yet are opposed to use Of the
cloture opened negotiations with Long
for compromise.
The signers Of the cloture in addition
to Robinson we're:
Glass, Bulkley, Barkley, Tydings,
Bailey, Byrnes. Fletcher, Smith, Bulow,
Bratton, Pittman. Walsh of Massacilu-
sets, Walsh of Montana, Harrison,
Copeland Hayden, Coolidge, Kendrick.
Mcclellan, Logan, Swanson, Bankhead,
Broussard, Hull, Stephens, Neely, Ash
urst and Wagner. With Al Democrats
in the Senate, 18 either refused or were
not asked to sign the petition.