STALEMATE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19783, 5 March 1927, Page 7

STALEMATE

ENDLESS SPEECHES LEGISLATION BLOCKED UNITED STATES SESSION STONEWALLS IN BOTH HOUSES BLANKETS FOR TIRED SENATORS [By Telegraph—Per .?ress Assn.--Copyright.] Received March 4, 8.15 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 3. The distinguished visitors' gallery was filled by the diplomatic corps, who had come to sec an unusual spectacle, when 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 by so-called filibusters by which groups of legislators opposed to particular legislation are carrying out their threat to tajA the present session to its death. The War Department sent over 7a army blankets to the Senate, and tonight many of the Senators are sleeping in their scats,, waiting for a let-up which will permit the passage of urgent appropriation bills and other measures, while President Coolidge, who maintained an all-night vigil yesterday an<? to-night also, waits at his office ready to sign all such necessary legislation if it succeeds in obtaining a passage. Talk-weary Politicians The filibuster in the Senate originated over a dispute concerning the seating of Senator Vara whoso election it is alleged, was attended by irregularities. Proponents and opponents are making endless speeches denouncing each other for delaying the nation e ’ business, or snatching moments of rest, I while the clerk reads lengthy extracts ■ from irrelevant documents, in order to > allow some talk-weary Senator to i snatch a few moments of rest without technically relinquishing the floor. In the House of Representatives, the filibuster originated over a change in the immigiation Law, but finally ended when it was agreed that the present ; law should remain unchanged untxr 1928. Representatives are, however, so weary over the protracted battle that further business is likely to be retarded, due to the desire of so many to go home to rest, while literally there hundreds of important measures which will never see the light of day. An Extra Session Owing to the filibuster tactics, there are several very vital pieces of legislation, which will seriously hinder the nation’s business if they must wait, I till next Congress, and it is believed that President Coolidge will be compelled to call an extra session. The 38,000,000 dollars Army and Navy Bill, if it is not approved, will compel an immediate reduction of the army from 112,000 to 80,000 men. Other impeded measures provide for the return of seized property to former aliens, appropriations for servicemen hostel a seed and grain loan of 8.000,000 dollars, 25,000,000 dollars for loans to servicemen, and provision for removing ammunition storages from populous centres.