BILLS HELD UP

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 March 1927, Page 5

BILLS HELD UP

“FILIBUSTER” TACTICS. IN U.S. CONGRESS. AN UNUSUAL SPECTACLE. sY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION -COPYRIGHT WASHINGTON, March 3. Tlfe distinguished visitors’ gallery was filled by the diplomatic corps, which had come to see an unusual spectacle, wnen the Senate began its third day of continuous session, preliminary to the end of the present Congress tomorrow at noon. Loth Houses are gripped by so-called “filibusteis,” by which groups ot legislators opposed to any particular legislation are carrying out- their threat to talk the present session to its death. The- War Department sent over army blankets to tfie Senate, and to-night many of the Senators are Sleeping in their seats, waiting and waiting for the let-up which will permit the passage of urgent appropriation Bills and other measures, while President Coolidge, who maintained an all-night vigil yesterday, to-night also waits at his office, necessary to sign all such necessary’ legislation as succeeds in obtaining a passage. The filibuster in the Senate originated over a dispute concerning the seating of -Senator 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 talkweary senator to snatch a few moments of rest without relinquishing the floor. In the House of Representatives the filibuster originated over a change in the Immigration Law, hut finally ended when it was agreed “that the present law should remain unchanged until 192-8.” The representatives are, however, so weary over the protracted battle that further business is likely to be retarded or die owing to the desire of so many to go home to rest, while literally there are hundreds of important measures which will never see the light- of day, due to the filibuster tactics

There are several very vital pieces of legislation which wifi 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 33,000,000 dollar Army and Navy Deficiency Bill, if not approved, will compel the immediate- reduction of the army from 112,000 to 80,000 men. ther impeded measures provide for the return of seized property to former aliens, appropriations for service men’s hospital, a seed grain loan of 8,000,000 dollars, 25,000,000 dollars for loans to service men. arid a provision for removing ammunition storage from populous centres.