Evening star., 1935-03-23
Thomas Threatens New De-
lays, However, to
Works Bill.
NEW MOVES PLANNED
TO SPEED MEASURE
Norris and La Toilette Join 38
Democrats in Blocking Okla
homans Rider.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Senate today voted to lay aside
the Thomas silver imitation amend
ment to the s4,8so, 900 900 relief bill.
The ballot was 40 to 33 on a motion
by Democratic Leader Robinson TO
table the amendment. This parlia-
mentary step of "tabling" was equiva-
lent to eliminating the silver proposal
from consideration.
The move was the first drastic step
taken by Democratic leaders to speed
passage Of the long pending relief
measure by preventing undue debate
on amendments considered by them
not germane.
New Delays Loom.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Ok
lahoma, author of the amendment
providing mandatory purchases Of sill
yer as basis for currency, threatened
new delays, however. with other
amendments and parliamentary OBJ
jections. He spoke six hours for his
amendment yesterday.
The tabling vote came after Thomas
had objected to an agreement to vote
not later than l o'clock on his and
all other pending amendments to
the bill.
Thomas then offered the silver rider
in modified form, eliminating two Of
the six provisions in his former
amendment
The Robinson motion to table
Thomas first silver amendment was
carried with the votes of SO Demo-
Gratis, Senator Norris. Republican. of
Nebraska. and Senator La Toilette.
Progressive, of Wisconsin.
Nineteen Republicans and fourteen
Democrats opposed the motion.
Long Is Another Threat.
There was no apparent hope among
the Roosevelt forces that the relief
measure could be passed before Mon
day. when the possibility Of further
speechmaking by Senator Long will
be raised by his return from Louisiana.
The Thomas amendment would
provide for Government purchase Of
50,000,000 ounces of silver each month
and issuance of silver certificates to
pay the cost of relief.
He still had the floor when the
Senate adjourned last night and as
serted he would offer the Patman
bonus bill as an amendment to the
relief measure if his silver rider is
turned down. The Patman bill.
passed in the House by huge ma
jority yesterday. provides for pay
ment of the 100000 1000 bonus by
new currency.
Robinson Hints of Test.
Robinson declared:
If this debate is to continue in
definitely and amendments not in any
sense germane are offered, it may be-
come necessary to test out the will of
the Senate by motions to lay these
amendments on the table.
Il know it isn't customary. but this
bill has been before the Senate a
long time and those for it ought to take
concerted action to secure its passage"
He said he would like to vote on
amendments such as Thomas ION
their merits" but that it was unfair
to the country, to the President and
to the Senate" to offer them as riders
to the relief measure.
Glass Speaks for Consumer.
Thomas contended the relief bill
proposes to spend more money than
there is in circulation in the United
States; that the dollar is getting
dearer instead Of cheaper" and that
'the whole United States policy is
policy Of def1ation."
Senator Glass, Democrat, of Virginia.
said he could not agree with the theory
that it was the duty of Congress to
raise the price level "f1ctitiously" He
said there were 30000.O00 Americans
who want to eat bread and meat: no
one here ever speaks for the con-
Sumer."
The Senator raises the inference
that he wants the West to raise beef
steak and sell it to the East at a
price less than it COSTS" Thomas re-
piled.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt at
his press conference re-emphasized
the Governments intention of putting
$500, 900 persons to work as soon as
the relief hill is DaSSed