Evening star., 1948-08-02
By J. A. O'leory

Republican leaders in the Sem
ate today invoked the seldom
used cloture rule in an effort to
limit debate on the anti-poll tax
bill, but with little chance of
success.
The cloture petition. signed by
more than the required l6 Senators,
had scarcely been read when Sem
ator Russell, Democrat, of Georgia
was on his feet-rulebook in hand
prepared to raise point of order
that cloture cannot be applied at
this stage of the Senate proceedings.
Unless the presiding officer re-
verses past precedents. he will hold
with the Southerners that cloturs
is not in order because the anti
poll tax bill is not yet formally be-
fore the Senate. The pending ques-
tion Is merely a motion to take
it up.
Pepper Signs Petition.
Four Democrats joined Is Re-
publicans in signing the cloture Pc
tition. Only one, Senator Pepper OF
Florida, is a Southern Democrat.
The other three Democrats are:
Senators Barkley of Kentucky.
President Truman's running mate
in this campaign; McGrath of
Rhode Island, chairman of the
Democratic National Committee,
and Green of Rhode Island.
The 1S Republicans are: Senators
Wherry OF Nebraska, Taft OF Ohio.
Knowland of California, Mccarthy
of Wisconsin, Flanders of Vermont.
Ives of New York, Ferguson of
Michigan. Gordon of Oregon. Reed
of Kansas, Jenner of Indiana, Cap
per of Kansas, Smith of New Jer-
sey, Hickenlooper of Iowa, Lodge OF
Massachusetts,, KEN OF Missouri,
Morse of Oregon, Martin OF Penn
sylvania and Saltonstall OF Massa-
chusetts.
Senator wherry filed the cloturs
petition after failing to get unani-
nous consent for vote at 5 pm.
today on the motion to take up the
anti-poll tax bill.
Senator Russell protested that the
opponents we're not being given
time for a fair hearing. since the
motion was before the Senate ooiy
two days last week. He charged
that at least half of that time was
taken up by debate on other
matters.
Senators Taft and Wherry pointed
out that the Southerners still would
have the full protection OF all the
rules for adequate debate after the
Republican leaders are Still deter
mined to wind up the session before
August II, but first they must make
an effort to try to break the fill
buster. AS long as they stick to their
early adjournment plans, however.
the odds are still with the Southern
opponents.
Senator Russell denied today there
has been any filibuster thus far. He
insisted the Republicans have done
lust as much talking as we have"
on imitation and other subjects.
Only Three Speeches Made.
He pointed out that only three
Southerners have made the first OF
two speeches allowed them under
Senate rules. Senator Russell has
left no doubt, however, that his
group intends to use every parlia-
mentary weapon available If the
leaders keep the issue before the
Senate, and he has IS other Sena-
tors ready and willing to talk.
The Southerners indicated last
week they would not make a serious
fight on substitute proposal to sub
NIT the poll tax issue to the States
for decision as constitutional
amendment, but Republican leaders
have shown no willingness to accept
that.
The South is centering It's fight
against the right of Congress, as the
Constitution now stands. to regulate
elections by Federal statute.
While the poll tax fight continued
oil the Senate floor, Senator Me-
Carthy sought to get his party inter-
ested in working out a compromise
on the Taft Ellender Wagner long
range housing bill-another of the
major issues raised by President
Truman when he called the session.
Firm for Housing Action.
Il strongly feel that If this Con-
greSs adjourns without first having
passed workable housing legislation.
1t will be an admission that we are
not solving our No. / domestic
problem" Senator Mccarthy de-
clared.
He said he agrees with state
{See POLL TAX, Page A-4)