Evening star., 1939-06-25
Silver Bloc Senators
Agree 10 Stop Talking
For Amendment Vote
Long Monetary Debate
May Resume, However,
After Poll Tomorrow
BY the Associated Press.

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hopefully yesterday of breaking the
legislative log jam in the Senate
after silver bloc Senators agreed to
quit talking about the pending
monetary bill long enough to vote on
q silver amendment tomorrow.
The vote will be on an amendment
by Senator Pittman, Democrat, of
Nevada. which would order the
Treasury to pay $1.27 an ounce for
silver mined domestically, or nearly
double the present Treasury price of
6464 cents.
Senators from Western States had
held the floor for six days and
blocked every attempt to reach a vote
until they acceded yesterday to a
request from Majority Leader Bark
ley for a vote at IL 80 pm tomorrow
on the Pittman amendment.
Senator Barkley and other admin
istration leaders are anxious to COM
plete action on the monetary legis-
lation because it would continue for
two years present powers that expire
June 80. These include presidential
power to further devAlue the dollar
and the Treasury's authority to
operate the $4,000, 900 900 stabiliza-
ton fund.
Barley Praises Decision.
Senator Barley, who has termed
the lengthy silver debate q filibuster,
said the agreement to vote "is
progress"
However, Senator McCarran. De-
mocrat, Of Nevada, one Of the silver
bloc leaders. told reporters a vote on
the Pittman amendment would not
halt discussion Of the bill.
Senator McCarran said it was
doubtful the Senate would accept the
$1.27 price for silver and pointed out
that other silver amendments. in
cluding his own proposing $l.04 an
ounce, were pending.
Senator Thomas, Democrat. of
Oklahoma, who has been urging is
suance of $4,000, 900 900 additional
currency and cheaper dollar"
policy as part of the monetary leeis-
lation, agreed with the Nevadan.
The voting agreement was reached
at an unusual Saturday session after
two roll calls failed to produce the
required 40 Senators to conduct busi-
ness, and the sergeant at arms was
ordered to round up absentee Sena-
tors. 1t was 80 minutes past the
meeting hour before a quorum of
49 was present.
Late Corners Reprimanded.
Majority Leader Barley, repri-
manding Senators for not reporting
on time, informed the Senate he
might call sessions earlier than II
am. and also ask night meetings
this week.
/ Il am not saying that as a threat"
the Senator added I'm only call
ing attention to what the situation
may require"
Worrying Senator Barkley and
other administration chieftains is
the $1.735 900 900 relief bill passed
by the House and expected from
the Senate Appropriations Commit
tee early this week.
If the relief measure should fail
to clear Congress before July /, the
Works Progress Administration
which handles relief would expire,
causing, at the least, considerable
confusion and administrative dim
Guilty.
To avoid this, Senator Barkley
said he might seek to sidetrack
the monetary bill this week in order
to speed action on relief.
Members Of the silver bloc ex-
pressed little enthusiasm for the
proposal by the majority leader
that the Treasury continue for six
months its existing price of 64.64
cents for domestic silver.
Senators Borah, Republican, Of
Idaho and Ashurst, Democrat, of
Arizona suggested on the Senate
floor yesterday that Senator Nc
Carran remove from his silver
amendment q provision for purchase
Of foreign silver at Is per cent above
world market prices, If used to buy
American farm products for export.