Evening star., 1949-03-17
Taft Says Senate
.Can Pass Some
.0f Rights Bills
Sees Action Possible
| Under Compromise
2 Anti Rule
By J. A. O'Leor


Congress can pass important fea-
lures" of the civil rights program
under the compromise antifiIi-
buster rule which the Senate
hopes to adopt by tonight.
The Ohio Senator. chairman
of the Senate Republican Policy
Committee. announced he will
vote for the compromise, even
though he preferred a more strin,
gent rule. because it is the only
proposal to curb unlimited debate
that has a chance to pass.
His assertion that at least part
of the civil rights program can
be put through under the new
rule is disputed by administra-
ton leaders. who charge the COM
promise will kill civil rights legis-
lation.
Senator; Gillette, Democrat, Of
Iowa took the floor to oppose the
compromise, declaring that no
amount of sophistry will change
the fact that "a Senators (two-
thirds of the entire membership
will be needed to stop debate un-
der the new rule. whereas any
number from 80 to 81 could in
woke cloture now.
Taft Challenges Statement.
Senator Taft broke in to chal-
lenge the Gillette statement, ask
ing, Isn't it true cloture cannot
be imposed at all under the pres
ut rule?".
Il am not ready to concdete
that" Senator Gillette replied.
Senator Taft's question was
based on the argument that while
the present rule requires only two
thirds of those present to stop de-
bate, it can be done now only aft
er a bill is taken up. This leaves
a loophole for endless filibuSter-
ing on preliminary motions. The
new rule will apply to any motion
or other matter, excepting only q
future attempt to change this
rule itself.
Majority Leader Lucas has Bit
terly criticized the Republicans
for getting together with Southern
Democrats on the proposed COM
promise.
Senator Lucas told the Senate
yesterday that the compromise
makes it nearly impossible" to
get through civil right laws.
Wherry Says Rule Will Work.
Minority Leader Wherry, =
leader in working out the compro-
mise, disputed that and told re-
porters that he will try for action
on civil rights laws "at the first
opportunity after the new rule
is adopted.
Il intend to move for action
and prove that this new rule will
work" he said.
With So Senators pledged to
vote for the coalition compro-
mise, administration supporters
know they have lost their fight.
To Get Vote for Record.
For the sake of the record, how
ever. they plan to get votes on
these other propositions: /, Clo-
ture by simple majority; 2, by q
constitutional majority of 49 Sem
ators. and 8, by two-thirds Of
those present and voting.
Each of these proposals is ex-
pected to fail. and then the final
vote will come on the compromise.
Freshman Senator Humphrey.
Democrat, of Minnesota, mean
while, took steps to find out
how the civil rights program
stands. He called on his col
leagues last night to begin sign
ing a petition calling for action
on the program before this ses-
sion ends.
Gets Four Signatures.
He got four signatures to start
with-Senators Douglas of Illinois
and Pepper of Florida, Democrats.
and LANCER of North Dakota and
Morse of Oregon, Republicans.
In starting his petition, Sena-
tor Humphrey was. taking a page
from the book of the successful
coalition leaders. They clinched
their victory Tuesday night by
getting 52-more than a majority
of all Senators - to sign their
compromise amendment before
they introduced 1t.
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