Evening star., 1949-02-25
|Conna||y and George
To Speak First in
Fi|ibuster Debate
By J. A. OLean

- -
Southern Democrats have de-
cided to let two Of their most in
fluential spokesmen - Senators
Connally of Texas and George of
Georgia-go to bat first in their
fight on the Senate floor next
week against a new curb on fili-
clustering.
After the administration car
ries out its announced intention
Of calling up the rule change
Monday, no more business is like
ly to be transacted for at least q
week.
The new rule would enable two
thirds Of the Senate to curb de-
bate at any time, whereas now
they can do so only after the mo-
tion to take up O bill has been
adopted.
Although it would be general in
its application, the immediate pur-
pose of the change is to pave the
way for passage of the civil rights
program, opponents Of which have
been able to block by filibustering
in the past.
Neither to Speak Long.
If Senators Connally and George
decide to open the debate, neither
will speak at great length. Their
colleagues feel, however, that they
would be able to command more
attention in presenting the
South's position. The basic argu-
ment of the Southerners is that
the anti-poll tax, anti-lynching
and fair employment practice
measures are issues the States
should deal with.
Democratic leaders had hoped
to take up the antif1libustering
rule without tying up other i'm
port bills on the Truman program.
but there are strong indications
the Southerners will not go along
on that course of action.
Ordinarily, a group Of mem
bers opposed to any pending bill
is eager to have it sidetracked
for something else. on the theory
that any delay works in their
favor.
The Republicans, however, will
try to keep the new rule before
the Senate, and Senator Russell,
Democrat. of Georgia, said some
Southerners probably will join in
voting against laying it aside from
time to time. If the Republicans
present solid front, a handful of
Southerners would be able to keep
other subjects from coming up.
Among the important subjects
that soon will be ready for floor
action are the new housing bill,
the new reciprocal trade agree
ment law, extension of rent con-
troll, and then the controversial
labor bill.
There is a possibility that a
Senate logjam at this time would
also hold UP a bill the South
wants. relating to the 1949 cotton
crop.
Would Discourage Planting.
Senators and Representatives
from cotton-growing sections are
anxious to get bill through Con-
gress providing that the 1949 cot
ton acreage not be included in
the Governments acreage allot-
ment.
The purpose is to discourage
heavy planting this Spring and
prevent q large cotton surplus
next fall.
There is some resentment that
we are to be used as whipping
boys when they haven't got any,
thing else to do," said Senator
Russell. Democrat, of Georgia. re-
ferring to the desire Of the leaders
to take up other major bills as
they are ready.
There are enough Southern Sem
ators to talk for weeks, and, if the
administration finds itself unable
to lay aside the rule resolution
from time to- time for other busi-
ness. the pressure for these other
important bills eventually would
force the leaders to abandon the
new rule.
Barkley Could Bring Victory.
There is one possible develop
ment that could bring victory to
the administration. If Vice Presi-
dent Barkley should reverse the
rulings Of his predecessors by
holding that cloture can be ap-
piled before a bill or resolution
is formally taken up, the civil
rights bills probably could be
passed without adoption of new
rule. In fact, the new rule would
become unnecessary for the time
being at least.
An appeal could be taken from
such a ruling by Mr.. Barkley, but
some friend of the civil rights pro-
gram could move to table the ap-
peal, and that motion would have
to be decided without further de-
bate. If this happens it will put
Republicans on a spot, because to
uphold the Barkley ruling they
would have to reverse the finding
made a year ago by Senator VAN
denberg, Republican, of Michigan.