Evening star., 1933-01-22
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The Glass banking bill moved appre-
c1ably nearer a final vote in the Senate
yesterday, when the Bratton amend
ment, which to all intents and pur-
poses kills the branch banking feature
OF the measure, was adopted by a vote
Of 50 to II. Republican and Demo-
cratic leaders said last night they be-
lieved the Glass bill could be disposed
OF by Tuesday night, notwithstanding
a threat by Senator Thomas Of Okla
homa to continue with a fllibuster
against the measure unless an infla-
tionary amendment were adopted.
While the solution Of some Of the
troubles over the bank reform bill ap-
peared in sight, the Roosevelt plan for
dealing with the British, and pre-
sumably other debtor nations, in regard
to their debts to this country was
drawn into the Senate debate yester-
day. with the possibility it may lead
to considerably more talk before the
week Is over.
Victory for Filibuster Group.
The adoption Of the Bratton amend
ment represents q distinct victory for
the group that has filibustered against
the Glass bill. headed by Senator Huey
Long Of Louisiana and Senator Thomas.
The amendment bars Statewide branch
banking, or branch banking outside Of
a city. except where the State laws
permit such branch banking for State
banks.
Only nine States today permit State
wide branch banking - Arizona, Cali
forn!a, Delaware, Maryland, North
Carolina. Rhode Island. South Caro-
lima, Vermont and Virginia.
In the opinion Of Senator Glass. au-
thor of the bill, the Bratton amendment
will write fms to the hopes of many
small banking institutions. now in
danger of going under, which hoped
under the proposed law to be taken
over by strong banking concerns. If
these smaller banks fail. with disaster
for many of the depositors, it will be
because of the refusal to carry the
branch banking feature In the bill. he
contends.
The Bratton amendment not only
bars branch banking where 1t Is not
permitted by the State, but it also pro-
vides that no banking association shall
establish branches outside of the city
in which 1t is located which does not
have a paid-in capital of $500. 900. An
amendment offered by Senator Norbeck
OF South Dakota. making the amount
S250,000 in States which have less than
a million population, was accepted.
Beer Bill Action Sought.
The beer bill-which has been broad
ened in the Senate Judiciary Subcom-
mittee to include light wines-is clam
oring for right of way in the Senate.
Senator Blaine. chairman of the sub
committee, hopes to have the bill re-
ported favorably by the full committee
tomorrow. Then 1t must 60 to the
Finance Committee to be considered
from the revenue angle before 1t is
taken up for consideration by the Sen
ate. Mr.. Blaine is insisting that the
bill be given hearing in the Senate
as soon as the Glass bill is out of the
way. Other Senators are demanding
that the Treasury and Post-Ofice ap-
preparation bill, which carries the econ
omy clause, be considered Immediately
after the banking bill has been passed
There is growing belief on Capitol
Hill that not all the annual appropria-
ton bills are to be finally passed by
March T. There is reported an indif-
ference on the part Of some OF the DEM
ocrats. as well as Republicans, to the
prompt passage of these supply bills.
1t is beginning to look more and more
as though several Of them would not
be completed but would have to go over
for consideration and action at the spe-
cial session Of the new Congress, which
President t-elect Roosevelt is expected to
call early in April. The Democrats in
tend to put through economy legisla-
ton, as we'll as farm legislation and
other measures which would touch in
timately the appropriation during the
special session, which would require
changes in the appropriation bills for
the next fiscal year. The new Congress
would have until July l to get the ap-
preparation bills through. However, the
present program is to drive ahead with
these supply bills. none of which, ex-
cept deficiency bill, has yet passed
the Senate, although only six weeks Of
the short session remain
Pressure to get action on the farm
bill, known as the domestic allotment
bill, which has passed the House and