United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
March 22, 1939.
My Dear Mother:
We have a parliamentary situation
which is unique.
The Wheeler amendment
to the Reorganization Bill would,
if accepted, keep the power
in Congress to make final
decisions on changes in
the structure of administra-
tive agencies.
(Interrupted by two bells a
quorum call)
We are about to vote on a
motion to reconsider the
action of the Senate taken
last night by which the
Wheeler amendment was
agreed to. The vote was
close 45-44. One Senator
changed his vote from No
to Aye making it 46-43
for the purpose of making
the motion to reconsider.
Now it looks as tho'
we would have a tie
and that the Vice-Pres.
would have to break
the tie. It is quite
exciting.
(The vote has started)
Sorry! They beat us by 2 votes.
Ayes 46 Nays 44.
Cleavey of New Mexico changed his vote
and Miller of Miss. was absent-
Now we vote again on the
Wheeler amendment:
Ayes 44 Nays 46-
Now a motion to reconsider
is made by Sen. Byrnes & a
motion then follows to lay that
motion on the table (by Sen. Barley).
We are being polled now,
Ayes 46 Nays 41.
And so the Senates votes away
its power and responsibility
over legislation defining
functions and setting up
agencies to perform them-
Best love,
Warren