Evening star., 1960-03-01
RIGHTS
RIGHTS ....
Southern Senators
Firm in 7 Test Votes
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
tol. the majority kept the
Southerners from getting much
rest out Of nighttime quorum
calls. The first call, at $3.50
am, produced a quorum in 81
minutes, almost normal midday
time. The second, at 5:45 am,
found Senators sleeping a little
more soundly. This time it took
about 65 minutes.
Vice President Nixon got
his first chance yesterday to
act as umpire in the struggle
that always marks a filibuster,
to use the rules as a weapon.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat
Of Arkansas, wanted to know
what would happen to an
amendment if the clerk was
not through reading it when
the time came to vote on a mo-
ton to cut of debate. 1t was
q hypothetical question, and
Mr.. Nixon gave an advisory
opinion" that if such a situa-
tion arises, he will regard the
amendment as having been
read.
| II around-th clock continu-
Gus sessions fail to wear down
the Southerners, the leaders
may have to use their ultimate
weapon - the seldom invoked
cloture rule, which puts a one
hour speaking limit on each
Senator. But this rule requires
a two-thirds majority and polls
indicate two-thirds could not
be persuaded to curb debate at
this time.
Some of the Senators who
oppose use Of the gag rule also
would prefer a more moderate
bill limited to voting rights. In
the end the leaders may have
to narrow the bill TO get the
limitation on debate.
New Bill in Works
But no one expects a break
in the filibuster in less than
a week or two. The House is
scheduled to take up on March
10 a bill which is less objec-
tionable to the South. An at
tempt may be made to keep the
Senate fight going long enough
to see whether the House passes
a milder bill than the one now
pending in the Senate.
Although the pending ques-
tion in the Senate is the seven
point administration package, "
dealing with school integration.
voting rights. hate-bombings
and equal job opportunity on
Government contracts, numer-
Gus other amendments will be
called up when the voting
starts.
Senators Robertson of Vir-
ginia, Holland of Florida and
Jordan Of North Carolina held
the floor most of the first night.
Holland Foxes Fun
Senator Holland poked fun
at the idea that the Democrats,
who outnumber Republicans
65-35 in the Senate, would
accept the pending administra-
ton program. Senator Dirksen
of Illinois, the Republican
Leader, is sponsoring the ad-
ministration program, and is
cooperating with Democratic
Leader Johnson Of Texas to
bring the issue to a head. But
Senator Holland asked:
Does anyone think the Ma
jority Leader, with 65 to 35, is
going to be satisfied to have
the bill offered by the Minority
Leader be the, one that is taken
up and passed."
Senator Holland answered his
own question by predicting that
would not happen.
Senator Javits of New York
acting as Republican liaison
man with Democratic support
. ers of a strong bill, admitted
the two groups do not see eye
to eye on details.
Senator Javits said the dan
ger is that Democratic liberals
, will support one program, and
the Republicans another. But
he said his consultations do not
indicate that will occur.
Senator Robertson, who held
the floor during the early eve
ming hours, lambasted propos-