The Key West citizen., 1954-07-23
BY DONALD SANDERS

WASHINGTON H Weary,
drawn-faced senator's talked to.
ward their third day of round
the-clock debate on the Eisenhow-
ef Administrations atomic energy
bill early today after what looked
like 4 whistling-in-the-dark move
by COP leaders to shut off argu-
ment.
The marathon session which be-
gan at 10 am. Wednesday morn
ing broke off briefly during the
wee hours. But Is minutes later
the orators were at it again, with
no end yet in sight.
On the other side of the Capitol,
House leaders gave up waiting on
the Senate and scheduled a Ses-
sion Of their own today on the
omnibus measure which would re-
vamp the basic 1915 atomic en-
ergy law. Debate in that body
could be as bitter as the Senate's,
but hot as drawn out, for House
debate.limiting rules are strict.
The Senate effort to curb dis
cussion came shortly after mid
night when Sen. Knowland Of Cal
ifornia, the Republican leader,
filed 4 petition to invoke cloture.
The petition was signed by 50 SEN
: ators, all Republicans.
No test can corae on it before
Sunday morning, and Knowland
said he didn't expect one before
Monday.
Knowland conceded the move
was a last resort. Sen. Humphrey
(D-Minn) accused the Californian
of coming armed with "atomic po-
litical bombs" and said shes 60
ing to drop one too many" Hum
phrey, an opponent Of many fea-
lures Of the bill, said progress was
being made, yet "now We have the
final weapon used against u.s."
Knowiand has accused Liberal
Democrats" Of conducting q fill
buster against the measure ar of
tactics Of "pure obstructionism"
against the uncompleted portions Of
President Eisenhower's legislative
program. Most opponents Of the
bill have disputed that, saying the
debate has been confined largely
to the issues.
Generally, the bill would allow
the United States to share with its
Allies some limited information on
atomic weapons, and would open
the way for private industry to
develop peaceful atomic power.
Sixty-four senator's must vote for
cloture before the Senate's rule
Of unlimited debate can be set
aside. That is two-thirds of the full
50 members. Cloture never has
been imposed under present Sen
ate rules.
And with the Senate almost
evenly divided between Republi-
ans and Democrats, Knowland's
chances Of succeeding in his de-
bate-limit move seemed slim.
Humphrey commented It would be
tough" to get the "a votes.
Opponents Of the administration
bill scored an upset victory last
night when the Senate voted 4S-41
to allow the federal government to
go into the commercial production
Of electrical energy from atomic
fuel.
A preview of the House debate
came from Rep. Holifield (D.Calif)
who said in an interview he and
other Democrats intend to make
a fight on some Of the same issues
which have kept the Senate tied
up for 10 days.
Holifield said an attempt would
be made in the House to kill the
Presidents directive to the Atom
ic Ener gyCommiscc sntaoorntiot
ic Energy Commission to contract
with q private power combine in |
the Tennessee Valley area.
That was the issue which spurred |
most Of the Senate debate so far. |
Opponents Of the presidential Or
der lost their fight when the Sen
ate voted approval Of the plan
Wednesday night, $685..
Holifield said he and Rep. Price
(D.M) also propose to attach to
the bill in the House the same
commercial power amendment
which the Senate accepted last
night.
Knowland, reiterating his intent
to keep the Senate in session un-
til the bill has been disposed of
there, meanwhile told his COL
leagues early today there are now |
some doubts" that the Senate will
have cleaned up its docket in time
to permit adjournment by a week
from tomorrow, the COP leader
ships target.
Knowland made repeated efforts |
to get some kind Of agreement to
curb debate on the bill--all of them
futile. Shortly after 2 am. this
morning, he invited the Democrat
ic side to make suggestions for a
debate curb, but nothing satisfac-
foVv, a. haAA .;Sns rAe,.1fAH