Evening star., 1939-07-01
Senute Chiefs See
Victory Wednesday
In Dollar Vote
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

Confidence of the Senate admin
istration leadership that 1t can
muster sufficient votes to effect ap-
proval next Wednesday of the con-
ference report on the legislation
extending emergency presidential
monetary powers appeared today to
be heading the New Deal for an
other celebrated legalistic incident.
Lapsing automatically at mid
night last night as Senate Repub-
licans and an occasional Democrat
aide talked the clock around, con-
tinued life of executive authority
to devalue the dollar, purchase
foreign and domestic silver and
gamble in world currencies with a
$4,000, 100000 stake was contained
in legislation already approved by
the House and comprised by con-
ferees of both branches.
Under the opinion that passage
of the midnight hour not only
would lapse the existing powers,
but make ineffective a mere resolu-
ton of extension, the Senate op-
position conducted an eight-hour
evening filibuster against the con-
ference report only to be con-
fronted at 1:30 am. today by the
announcement of Majority Leader
Barkley that the administration
would adhere to the belief that ac-
ceptance of the compromise at any
time would automatically revive the
monetary privileges.
Supported by Murphy.
While such contention is in
direct contrast to opinions pre-
viously hazarded by Senator Bark
ley and even by President Roose-
welt, it was supported in the early
morning hour by a letter from
Attorney General Murphy to Presl-
dent Roosevelt.
Read to the Senate after Senator
Barkley had made clear the terms
on which a holiday adjournment
could be obtained. the letter said:
1T is my tMr, Murphy's) opinion
that the bill, if enacted after mid
night, June 30, 1899, will confer
upon you (Mr. ROOSEVELT the powers
enumerated in it until June 30,
1941.'
Citing numerous court decisions
to substantiate his position, the At
torney General wrote that "the
great weight of authority" supports
the belief that "the law itself is
not dead, though the power con-
ferred could not longeE ne exercised
without further legislative action"
Vote Set Wednesday.
On the strength of this decision,
Senator Barkley proposed to the
Senate unanimous consent agree
ment that adjournment be taken
until Wednesday at IL am, that
consideration of the report be re-
sumed at that time, that no Senator
should speak more than once or
more than 80 minutes on the subject,
and that at pm, or before the
Senate proceed to vote on adoption
Of the report.
For the opposition, Acting Minor
ity Leader Austin of Vermont, &C
cepted the agreement with the quail
f1cation that its acceptance not be
binding with regard to opinion on
the legality of such a means of re-
viving the monetary powers.
He indicated plainly that Repub-
licans will contest the legality in
Wednesdays debate. thus laying the
groundwork for a fight that seems
certain to reach the courts eventu-
ally.
Further Fight Looms.
That all will not be clear sailing
for the administration forces We'd
nesday was indicated by parliament
tary inquiry from the Democratic
side as to whether rejection of the
administration-favord report could
be followed by a request for renewed
conferences with the House. 1t was
ruled by Senator Pittman of Nevada,
the Senate President pro tenn, that
such procedure could be- followed.
a circumstance which may tend to
maintain the coalition of Repub-
licans and silverite Democrats since
some of the latter were frankly
critical last night of the previous
work of the Senate conferees.
Another issue which may upset
administration plans to force &C.
(See MONETARY, Page AID