Five Bells

In the past two months Speaker Julian Besteiro of Spain's hectic National Assembly (see above) has smashed four Speaker's bells. Last week he smashed his fifth, probably an all-time parliamentary record.

His method: when most violent bell-swinging fails to bring Spanish Deputies to order, Speaker Besteiro pounds until his desk is deeply dented, his bell completely shattered.

In thrifty France the Speaker's bell is anchored pendulum-wise to a firm support. When its ringing proves futile, the Speaker puts on his slightly conical French silk hat, stalks from the Chamber or Senate, automatically suspends the session by this gesture.

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