Evening star., 1963-01-22
Senate BIoCs
Sparring Over
Rules Test
By J. A. OLEARY
Star Staff Writer


over the Senate's antifilibuster
rule appeared to be in doubt
today as both liberals and con-
servatives jockeyed for parlia-
mentary positions.
Present indications are that
the first test of strength will
come on a liberal move to es-
tablish their claim that at the
beginning Of a new Congress,
the Constitution permits a ma
jority to shut off debate before
new rules are adopted.
If they succeed they will try
to change the two-thirds rule
to permit three-fifths Of those
present and voting to break a
filibuster on any future legis-
lation.
Dirksen Clears Track
Senate Republican lie ader
Dirksen gave the liberals a
clear path to make their un-
usual motion by announcing
that he will drop his move to
table the whole subject for the
time being. His motion to
table would have stopped all
debate, and If 1t carried the
battle would have been over for
this year.
Although Senator Dirksen's
change of plans gives the lib
erals a chance to present their
proposal, they have no assur-
ance they can get a quick or
favorable verdict.
The liberal motion to close
the debate will be made by
Senator Anderson. Democrat
of New Mexico. A spokesman
for Senator Anderson said only
that it would be soon.
Johnson Pledges Action
Vice President johnson an
nounced again yesterday that
as soon as the motion to close
debate is made he will present
it to the Senate for decision.
He also Informed the liberals
that when he submits the ques-
tion to the Senate it will be
debatable. This means the
Southerners, who oppose any
change in the rules, could con-
tinue to talk.
At that point the conserva-
tives also could go back to the
Dirksen motion to table the
liberal rule if they were sure
they had a majority.
One informed source sug-
gested today, however, that
neither side appears too certain
it has a majority. This source
said the conservatives are not
sure they have the votes to
table, and the liberals are not
too confident they have ma
jority to approve their debate
closing motion. If this is true,
neither side may be in a hurry
for a showdown.
Mr.. Johnson left only one
question unanswered yesterday.
That was a query by Republic
can Senator Kuchel of Cali
fornia, who asked whether the
Senate could continue to talk
if the motion to table should
be made and lost.
Mr.. Johnson replied that, in
stead of presenting imaginary
hypothetical cases that are diff
ficult to follow" the advocates
of a new rule should make
their motion and let the pre-
siding officer rule on the ques-
tions as they arrive.
Senate Democratic Leader
Mansfield appealed to the
Senate yesterday to get to an
early decision on the rules fight
so that the Senate may get on
with the task of organizing its
committees and getting down
to legislative business.
Senator Church, Democrat
Of Idaho, came out yesterday
in favor Of the proposed change
from two-thirds to three-fifths
of those present and voting to
break filibusters. But he said
he would not support another
liberal proposal to let a ma
jority Of 81 Senators shut off
debate.
Senator Stennis, Democrat
of Mississippi, also spoke yes
terday, repeating the argument
of other Southerners, that there
is nothing wrong with the
present tWo-thirds rule and