Evening star., 1939-08-06
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,

A parting clash between New Deal
and anti-administration Democrats
In the Senate enlivened adjournment
of the first session of the 18th Con-
gress early last night, after last
minute passage of Social Security
Act changes and a $185 ,0OO, 900 third
deficiency bill.
The two Houses were dragging to-
ward one of the dullest finishes in
years when the smouldering conflict
over economic policies that had
grown during the past year flared
suddenly on the Senate floor and
gave crowded galleries the dramatic
climax they have come to expect
in the closing hours.
1t was touched off when Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida, an
ardent New Dealer, arose to de-
nounce those whom he blamed for
blocking the administration foreign
and domestic programs.
In the brief but spirited tilt that
followed, he was challenged by Sem
ators Burke, Democrat, of Nebraska !;
George, Democrat, of Georgia, and
others. He finished the speech, but
only after parliamentary maneuvers
ending with formal roll call vote
that he be allowed ito proceed
in order"
Note From President Read.
A moment before the verbal fire
works started the clerk had read
from the desk note from President
Roosevelt, wishing the departing
Senators pleasant vacation"
And, after the excitement caused
by the Pepper speech had subsidized,
Majority Leader Barkley sought to
ring the curtain down in q more
harmonious setting by recounting
how hard the membership had
worked for seven months and listing
the sessions accomplishments, de-
spite the measures sidetracked in
the closing weeks.
Il am unwilling to let this session
Of the Congress end" Senator Pep
per began, without lifting my voice
to decry the unholy alliance of those
who have been willing to scuttle the
American Government and the
American people and jeopardize the
peace Of the world because they hate
Roosevelt and what Roosevelt stands
for.
Il accuse that alliance of putting
personal grudge and party feeling
above the welfare and the safety
OF the American people"
When the Florida Senator went
on to charge that the alliance" was
using its power to serve the busi-
ness groups of the country, Sena-
tor Burke jumped to his feet with
a point Of order that the Pepper
speech infringed Senate rule for
bidding remarks that reflect on
other Senators.
Senator Resumes Speech.
Senator Minton, Democrat, of In
diana, an administration supporter,
promptly countered with a motion
that Senator Pepper be allowed to
proceed in order The roll was
called, and the motion carried, "a
to Is.
Senator Pepper then resumed the
speech, each paragraph of which
began with reference to the de
signing" intriguing" "scheming' or
"Machiavellian" alliance.
Senator Burke again broke in to
raise another parliamentary inquiry
rs 1t in order" asked the Ne
braskan, "for a Senator who doubts
whether the Senator from Florida
can proceed in order to leave the
chamber while he proceeds?"
Answering his own query, the
Senator walked into a nearby cloak
room and did not return until Sena-
tor Pepper had concluded.
At no point in his speech did
Senator Pepper refer by name to
any one he regarded as joining in
what he termed the alliance" but
declared.
Il accuse them of having prosti-
tuted their power to serve the United
States Chamber of Commerce, the
Manufacturers Association and the
beneficiaries of special privilege, who
hate in their hearts that man who
has tried to tighten the burden of
toll on the backs of labor"
Lending Bill "Crucified."
The Florida Senator charged the
Intriguing alliance" with seeking to
strike down and emasculate the Fair
Labor Standards (wage-houD Act
He blamed it for "strangling" the
Presidents constitutional power to
direct the Nations foreign policies.
He accused 1t of "crucifying' the
administration lending bill, and with
(See CONGRESS. Page A-4)