Evening star., 1947-01-03
BiIbo
Continued From First Page.)

OF free people, or whether this
body will fall into disrespect."
Before the floor fight began, IA
Democrats from the South and bor-
der States had organized to fight
for the seating of Senator Bilbo
without prejudice" pending final
disposition of charges against him.
Endurance Battle Seem :,
Senator Ellender of Louisiana,
spokesman for the Southerners, in
sisted there was no talk of filibuster,
but all signs pointed to an endur-
ance battle.
If supporters of Senator Bilbo
should resort to unlimited debate to
prevent vote on barring the Missis-
sippian-thereby tying up all other
Senate business-the only weapon
leaders have is to keep the Senate
in continuous session to wear out
the takers.
After some preliminary parlia-
mentary maneuvering, the first
showdown came when Mr.. BIZ
fie announced he would call Sem
ators-elect alphabetically.
Senator-elect Baldwin was sworn
in without objection.
Escorted by Overton.
Meanwhile, Senator Bilbo, wear
ing a brown business suit and q
bright-colored necktie, had moved
to the back of the center aisle
Although his colleague from Missis-
sippi, Senator Eastland, was seated
only few feet away, it was Sena-
tor Overton who moved over to
escort Mr.. Bilbo down the aisle
Ordinarily, a Senator -elect is es-
corted by his colleague from the
same State.
Senator Bilbo's name had scarcely
been uttered by the clerk when
Senator Taylor was on his feet
shouting. "Mr. President" and hold
ing forth copy of his resolution.
Senators Bilbo and Overton pro-
ceeded down the aisle to the restrum
where the oath Is administered, but
that was as far as they got. The
parliamentary wrangling began over
whether Senator Taylor's resolution
was in order.
Senator Ferguson, Republican, of
Michigan, who took the lead in in
vestigating Senator Bilbo's rela-
tions with war contractors, made
the point that some one should have
moved to swear in Mr.. Bilbo first
| Resolution Ruled in Order.
Secretary Biflle ruled, however,
that the Taylor resolution was In
order and the debate began.
The Taylor resolution recited the
two sets of charges against the
Mississippian-racial discrimination
and dealings with war contractors.
It concluded with the statement
that the seating of Senator Bilbo
pending disposition of these charges
would be contrary to public policy,
harmful to the dignity of the Sen
ate and dangerous to the perpetuity
of free government.
The swearing in of Senator Bald
win gives the Republicans % votes
to 81 holdover Democrats. There
are reliable reports, however, that
when the showdown comes, at least
10 Democrats will join with the
Republicans to bar Senator Bilbo
pending final decision on the
charges against him.
Following the strategy meeting Of
Southerners this morning, Senator
Ellender charged that the Repub-
licans, drunk with power" are try
ing to lynch" Senator Bilbo.
There Is no question in my mind
that what is causing all this is that
the Republicans see dangling before
their eyes the presidential election
lof 1913 and are making every effort
Ito capture" the Negro vote, said
Senator Ellender, In whose Office the
injecting was held.
willing to Spend Few Days.
/ Senator Ellender also told . press
/ COZ. ference he had been reliably In
formed that over two years ago that
Senator Ferguson made statement
that he was going after Bilbo and
get him.
/ Senator Ellender described SEN
ator Ferguson as the .chief inter