Evening star., 1949-03-05
'FiIibuster Foes
Reject Truman
Most Democrats Back
Two-Thirds Rule
To Limit Debate
By J. A. O'Leory

Administration Democrats in
the Senate tried today to stem
apparent defeat in their fight to
curb fllibustering by offering as
surances that only handful favor
allowing a majority instead Of
two thirds to limit debate.
AS the Senate went into an un-
usual Saturday session, a group
of more than 20 Northern and
Western Democrats held strateg.
huddle, attended by Majority
Leader Lucas and Senator Nc
Grath of Rhode Island, Demacra-
tic National Committee chairman.
When it was over, Senator Lucas
told reporters that IS Senators
made known they were for stick
ing to the tWo-thirds rule and only
six or eight for pending amend
ment which would allow a con-
stitutional majority Of 40 Senators
to limit debate.
None Favors Truman Plan.
This left none standing up for
cloture by a simple majority
meaning majority of those pres
ent at the time-as advocated by
President Truman Thursday. AL
though leaders did not say so, the
conference this morning ap-
parently was called in an effort
to offset the effect Mr.. Truman's
statement had of bolstering the
claim of Southern Democrats that
the current drive to strengthen
the two-thirds cloture rule is only
first step toward letting ma
jority shut off debate.
Since the President expressed
his opinion the Southern Demo-
Gratis have been claiming victory
in their fight against any change
in the rules, and unofficial polls
bear out their claim.
Senator McGrath told newsmen
today's meeting was held to get
an exchange of viewpoints on how
Democrats who attended feel as to
the number of votes that should
be required to limit debate and
also to find out how they would
line up if Vice President Barkley
should hold that the present rule
is broad enough to let two-thirds
close debate at any time. ="
The Rhode Island Senator said
the information gathered at the
meeting would enable Majority
Leader Lucas to give the Southern
; Democrats and the Republicans
some assurance "of how we stand
on the question of majority
cloture."
McGrath Explains Stand.
Senator McGrath said his own
position is that he would give
assurance of voting only for the
two thirds rule 'if that would do
any good" in the present situa-
ton. He added. however, he was
not giving up his right to vote for
cloture by constitutional major
ity of 40.
In answer to another question,
Senator McGrath added, I'D
never be for simple majority"
Senator Lucas had taken the
same position two days ago. i'm
mediately after Mr.. Truman spoke.
Senator Lucas at that time said
he could not go along with his
chief on a simple majority.
Only developments over the
week end will tell whether the ad-
ministration leaders have checked
their losing battle by today's ef-
fort to show that theer is no real
danger of drive for the simple
majority rule.
Foes Claim 81 Votes.
Southern Democrats, aided by
a substantial bloc of Republicans,
claim 81 votes against an ex-
pected administration move to
try to establish a new anti-fili-
buster rule by a new interpreta-
ton of existing rules.
This would be nine more than
clear majority of the entire
Senate.
Although the current fight is
over a permanent change in rules
to enable tWo-thirdS of the Sem
, (See FILIBUSTER, Page AID
n III