THE FILIBUSTER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1927, Page 9

THE FILIBUSTER

AMERICA'S STONEWALL SENATE'S LONG SESSION LEGISLATION- HELD UP (United Press Association.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, 3rd -March. With the distinguished visitors' gallery filled by the Diplomatic corps, come to see the unusual spectacle, the Senate began its third day of continuous session preliminary to the end of the present Congress to-morrow at noon. Both. Houses are gripped l»y so-call-ed filibusters, by which groups of legislators opposed to particular legisla tion are carrying out the threat to talk the present session to its death. The War Department sent over sev-enty-five army blankets to the Senate; and to-night many of the senators are sleeping in their seats, waiting for the' let-up which will permit the passage of urgent Appropriation-Bills and other measures, while President Ooolidge, who maintained an all-night vigil yesterday and to-night, also-waits at his office ready to sign all such necessary legislation, if it succeeds in obtaining passage. CAUSE OF TROUBLE. The filibuster in the Senate originated over a dispute concerning the seating of Mr. Vare, whose election, it is alleged, was attended by irregularities. Proponents and opponents are making endless speeches, denouncing each other for delaying the nation's business, or snatching moments of rest while the clerk reads lengthy extracts from irrelevant documents in order to allow some talk-weary senator to snarch a few moments of rest without technically relinquishing the floor. In the House of Representatives the filibuster originated over the change in the Immigration Law, but finally ended when it was agreed that the present law should remain unchanged until 1928. The representatives are, however, so weary over tho protracted battle that further business is likely to be retarded, due to the desire of so many to go home to rest. VITAL BILLS IN PERIL. While literally there are hundreds of important measures which will never see the light of day, due to filibuster tactics, there are several very vital pieces of legislation which will seriously hinder the nation's business if they must wait till next Congress, and it is believed that President Coolidge will be compelled to call an extra session. The thirty-Jght million dollar Army and Navy Deficiency Bill, if not approved, will compel an immediate reduction of the army from 132,000 to 80,000 men. -Other impeded measures provide for the return of seized property to former aliens, appropriations for a servicemen's hospital a

seed and grain loan of eight million dollars, twenty-five millions for loans to servicemen, and provision for removing ammunition storage from populous centres.