Evening star., 1949-03-15
By J. A. O'Leor

into session at noon today appar-
emily no nearer an agreement or
how to curb filibusters than when
they recessed at 2:25 o'clock this
morning.
Majority Leader Lucas still
hoped for a last-minute compro-
mise. but was anxious to drop the
issue temporarily" to get on with
other urgent bills II no agreement
is reached on a new debate-curb-
Ing rule by midafternoon.
The biz question was whether
a coalition Of Republicans and
Southern Democrats would permit
the administration to let 90 OF the
subject on a technical motion to
adjourn.
This coalition was against ad-
journing last night. but for widely
different reasons. II the Senate
could adjourn" instead OF re.
cessing." II would wipe the slate
clean OF the pending rule resolu-
ton and enable the adminlstra-
ton TO turn TO European aid. rent
control extension and other press.
ing matters.
Republicans Call Meetings.
The Republicans called a Policy
Committee meeting for 2 pm. and
q conference of all their members
for 3 pm.
II appeared unlikely that any
showdown will come before those
meetings.
Senator Robertson. Democrat,
Of Virginia took the floor at noon
to continue the Southern filibuster
where 1t left OF in the small
hours Of the morning.
The virginian told reporters he
Is not out to equal the record set
last night by Senator Ellender.
Democrat, Of Louisiana. who
stood beside his desk and talked
for IL hours and 20 minutes.
Robertson Ready for Five Hours.
Like Senator Ellender. Senator
Robertson fortified himself VITA
several chocolate bars. and said
he expected it would take him
five hours to deliver his arguments
on freedom of Senate debate.
On the rules fight itself here
is how the situation stood today.
The Southerners and the Re-
publicans appeared ready to agree
on two-thirds of the entire Sem
ate-64-to limit debate on any
matter except a future change
in the rules. which would still be
open to unlimited debate.
The Administration Democrats,
calling this no compromise at all,
were suggesting two-thirds of
those present to limit debate on
any bill or motion. and thirds
of the entire Senate on any future
change in rules.
The existing rule, adopted in
1917. allows two-thirds of those
present to curb debate on q pend
ing measure" 1t has proved of no
value in getting action on such
controversial issues as civil rights,
however. because Southerners are
able to filibuster against prelimi-
nary motions before these bills
can become pending measures"
Compromise Offered.
Senator Russell of Georgia,
spokesman for the Southern Dem
ocrats. said today the compromise
they offered to accept last night
meant giving up unlimited debate
on these preliminary motions and
on the reading OF the daily journal
whenever two-thirds Of the entire
membership Is ready to invoke clo-
ture.
Senator Ellender held the
floor continuously from shortly
after noon yesterday until l2:47
am. His talking time Of IL hours
and 20 minutes bettered the record
set by the late Senator Smoot. Re-
publican. Of Utah in 1915. for 60
ing without a quorum call. which
gives a Senator at least 10 minutes
OF rest.
Senator Ellender paused from
time to time. however. to let col
leagues ask him questions. This
gave him breathing spells. but he
could not leave the floor or sit
down.
The rules fight from the start
has been regarded as q necessary
step to enable the Senate to pass
q civil rights program later on,
and that program entered into
the maneuvering last night.
Both the Republican and Demo-