Evening star., 1953-04-25

the senate. He declared later,
however. that he hoped his per-
formance would focus public at
tention on the submerged lands
controversy instead of on him.
The wiry, 51-year-old Oregon
Senator started talking at IL 40
Bockers Predict Full Victory on Sub
merged Londs Bill. Poee Ala
am. yesterday and stayed on his
feet until 1906 am. today. He
broke the previous senatorial
speech record of 18 hours and
% minutes by the late Senator
Robert M. LaFollette, sr., Pro-
greSSive, of Wisconsin, in 1903
on a currency bill.
Unlike the Wisconsin Senator,
Senator Morse went through the
entire time without benefit of
quorum calls or other long in
terruptions.
An opponent of the pending
bill to establish State ownership
of offshore oil-rich submerged
areas, Senator Morse readily con-
ceded that he staged "Some as
poets Of a filibuster." But he in
sisted he would not be a party
to what he called any ultimate
fllibuster to block final vote.
His voice, as he talked with re-
porters after finishing his speech,
was weary and iow-pitched, but
otherwise seemed unaffected ky
the prolonged speech. He ex-
planned that when he began to
speak yesterday morning, he
thought he would continue
through most of the night.
In reply to questions why he
did not round out a full "a hours
today he said:
Il stopped when did because
! finished all / wanted to say"
With no immediate plans for
catching up on sleep, the Sen
ator arranged for "a bath and
rundown, but said he would re-
turn to the Senate floor as the
debate on the bill went on.
No Stunt, Morse Says.
He emphasized that he did not
regard his speech as a stunt.
"One primary purpose" he ex-
planned, was to help focus pub
lie attention on this bill. think
this will help. OF course, it is
hard to measure any progress
that is being made to defeat the
bill, and I will not attempt to
generalize on that. The only
thing I can report is that my
mail is favorable"
Throughout most of the night
and until he finished this morn
ing, his wife and a daughter sat
listening in the visitors gallery.
The Senator seemed tired but
was obviously in good spirits. He
pointed to a wilted rose in his
lapel and remarked that he had
stood the night better than the
flower. The rose was sent to him
early last night by a woman
visitor, who said she was in
Washington in behalf of the
Teachers Union of Oregon.
How Senator Did 1t.
Senator Morse refused to class
ify himself as "an oratorical
champion" He said, however,
that he was willing to disclose
his own efforts toward keeping
awake and conserving his
strength.
"At no time since I began
speaking yesterday did 1 physi-
cally feel that I had to sit down
OF stop talking. Moreover,
there was no question of getting
a second wind at any 'time.
took it slow and easy and drank
very little water. All I had was
bouillon. orange Juice and hot
tea"
The 22-hour speech was con-
fined for the most part to the
submerged lands controversy, al
though the Senator at one point
entered into a long discussion
Of rural electrification. Through
out the night there were always
a few people in the galleries
and several Senators on the
floor.
Vice President Nixon came in
at 8:45 am. today and was
greeted with a pleasant Good
morning" by Senator Morse.
Republican Leader Taft ap-
peared on the floor about an
hour later. but made no attempt
to interrupt the Oregonian.
Long speeches are no novelty
(See MORSE Paoe A-51