Evening star., 1947-06-21

1dlt, ncpuUllCdu, VI Oilio SOCo
air to dispute the Presidents cE
bad for the country"
Huey Long, Democrat, of Louisiana
held the floor for IS hours and 81
minutes on June IL and 13, 1885, or
extension of the NRA-one of the
first Of the New Deal agencies.
Disagreement on Record.
Old timers at the Capitol disagret
somewhat over who should be re-
garded as the holder of the en-
dIrance talking record. Their dis
agreement hinges on how much rest
a Senator gets during a quorum
call.
The LaFollette filibuster resulted
in the Senate rule preventing a new
quorum call unless some business
has been transacted since the last
call
The all-nigft stand against a vote
on the labor bill had all the trim
mings that 60 with a moving pic
ture version of Senate filibuster.
Senator Taylor had glasses of milk
brought to him at intervals from
midnight until he gave up the floor
After midnight, however, the dig
nifled Senate chamber took on q
bleak appearance. Most of the gal
lery spectators decided it was getting
past their bedtime, and most OF
the Senators had already located 9
temporary billet in the cloakrooms
or their Offices.
Senator Morse, who took over at
$50 am, had been going less thar
two hours when he began slipping
slowly from a cup of tea on his
desk. Beside him on one of the big
cushioned Senate chairs was spread
a napkin, protecting the leather
from supply of vitamin-rich milk
and raw eggs.
Must Remain on Feet.
The Oregon Senator had two
stacks Of books on his desk, built
up high enough to meet his elbows
as he took more restful reclining
position. A Senator must remain
on his feet to hold the floor.
The janitors and charwomen, who
usually move through deserted cor
ridors to perform their daily work
had to dodge Senators and spec
tators as they swept away the debris
of paper and cigarette stumps, left
by the all-night battle of words.
Ironically, Senators Morse and
Taylor are co-authors of resolu-
ton, introduced only six months
ago, to strengthen the Senate rules
against filibustering. It would per-
NIT a majority of the Senate to
invoke the cloture rule to limit
debate. The present rule requires
two thirds
Morse Defends Course.
Senator Morse called attention to
his own views on filibustering today
and said he would vote at any time
for a rule to make filibusters i'm
possible.
In defending his present course
of action, he said this is not a
filibuster which seeks to prevent a
vote on the labor bill, but merely a
battle over procedure.
I'VE are ready to vote on Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, or any other
day beginning with Monday Sen
ator Morse asserted.
Shortly after dawn, Senator Brew
ster, Republican, of Maine objected
to Senator Morse leaning on his
desk. The New Englander suggested
that if Senator Morse was a con-
tender for the endurance record in
Senate debate, he should be advised
that the precedents require Sena-
tor to stand.
Brewster Overruled.
II can assure the Senator from
Maine, from the sensation on the
bottom of my feet, that I am stand
ing" Senator Morse replied.
The chair overruled Senator Brew
ster by holding there is nothing in
the rules against a Senator leaning
on his desk.
The printed record of yesterdays
in the Senate, as it came
from the Government Printing Of
fice this morning, ended like serial
story in a magazine.
Stopping in the middle of Senator
Taylor's long discourse, the last page
of the record read: ITO be continued
in the next issue of the Congress
sional Record"
The men who had the toughest
night, outside of the few Senators
who did the talking, were the short
hand experts who take down every
word uttered in the Senate. Work
ing in 15-minute relays. they were
still welding their fountain pens
as noon approached, after "a hours
on the job.
During the night, Senator Jenner,
of Indiana remarked to
one of his colleagues, Il came down
here to be statesman and I've
turned out to be night watchman. .
Many Leave to Hear Truman.
The Senate filibuster was in its
early stages at 10 o'clock last night
when Mr.. Truman went on the air
to take his fight against the labor
control bill to the country. Most
of the Senators left the chamber to
hear the President ON a radio, but
Senator Taylor had to keep on talk
ing to hold the floor. Senator Taft,
Republican, of Ohio then sat before
microphone in the Capitol to an
swer the President.
At 1890 am. today, as the gallery
crowds began to thin out, Senator
Taylor took up Mr. Truman's veto
message and read 1t slowly, with ex-
tended comments of his own.
Shortly before l am the lights
went out in the Democratic cloak
room, signal that Senator Taylor;
colleagues had decided to take q
nap while standing by. Halt an
hour later the lights also went out
in the Republican cloakroom. which
borders the other side of the Senate
chamber.
On some past occasions Senators
staging an all-night holdout have