The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-18

ton, with eighteen abstaining, it |
hardly is believed it can pass.
Majority Leader James E. Wat |
son says he can deliver only twenty
one Republicans, and this will not
make the necessary tWo-thirds. The
clOture resolution, which permits
each senator to speak only an hour
before a vote. can not be voted on
until Thursday.
Roosevelt to Get Problem
Democratic leaders are more con-
ccrned for the future than for the
Glass bill, which probably will be
displayed if ClOture is beaten. What
they fear is the weapons that I'M
limited debate places in the hands
Of the fiery "Kingflsh" after Pres
idcnt-elect Roosevelt takes office.
The problem Of the Louisiana
senator, and what to do about it, i"
will be submitted to Mr.. Roosevelt
when he arrives here Thursday on
his way south.
1t is the system of unlimited de-
bate which permits a comparative
youngster TO stand the oldsters on
their heads, and block a vote on all
legislation.
Although the Glass banking bill is
the unfinished business, it cannot
be voted on so long as a single sem
ator wants to discuss it.
Can't Wear En- Out
The only parliamentary methods
of setting a definite time to vote is
by unanimous agreement, by a ma
jority vote, or by cloture, which
now is being tried.
The gag rule rarely is applied be-
cause of natural objections, even
by men who favor the measure for
which it is invoked
Progressives oppose the gag rule
fof fear general use may mean it
will be leveled against them more
often than in the past. OF six at
tempts to apply cloture within
eleven days in February, 1927, only
one succeeded.
The only other way to smash a
filibuster it to wear out the men
composing it, and that seems i'm
possible in this case. Senator Long, |
though fidgety and haggard at the |
end of each days performance,
returns fresh and cocky next morn
ing When he tries, such vocal and |
indefatigable youngsters as Senators
Elmer Thomas Dem, Okla) and
Burton K. Wheeler Dem., MONTH
are ready to carry on.
Ties Up Important Bills
Many tricks are open to them.
They can, as they have done, read
books and newspaper clippings, de-
lay matters by insisting on numer-
Gus quorum calls, interview one an
other on the floor, permit other bills
to be taken up, and spell each other
with oratory.
This they have done while angry
Democrats have sat red-faced and
reScntful.
Among important measures they
have tied up are the beer bill, the
treasury appropriation, giving Mr..
Roosevelt the right to organize the
government in his own way, and
numerous other proposals.
Long opposes the Glass bill be-
cause it permits national banks to
establish branches in states per-
hitting branch banking. He main
tains this is a treat to small COM
munity banks. and tends to concen-
trate wealth in the hands of i'm
perial finance
Opposed by Big Interests
It was not until after the filibus-
ter got going that he and his gang
began to demand currency eXpan-
sion and farm relief as condition
of abandoning opposition to all leg
islatiOn
But the most serious opposition
comes from large financial inter
ests which oppose the section
forcing banks to give up the buy
ing and selling Of investment Secur-
tiles.
OF thirty-six pending amend
mentS. more than half are spon-
sored by Senators Hamilton Kean
(Rep., N. j. and Jesse H. Met
calfe (Rep.. r. ~, both Repub-
had to appear in the fight because
of the attack launched by Mr..
Long.
G. o. P. GOads On Fight
Republican leaders are goading
on the Democratic recalcitrants
Senator George H. Moses (Rep.,
N. H president pro tenn, fire.
ouently has suggested new dilatory
tactics to the newcomer from
Louisiana.
Majority Leader James E. Wat
son (Rep., Ind kindly has loaned
the "Kingfish' the use of his
Office as rest room during
respites from the floor conflict.
'Huey' has eaten sandwiches
there. and his witticisms evoke
applause from C. o. p. wits. In
fact, Mr. Long has become quite
a hero among the Republicans.