MONTPELIER, March 20. (AP)‐‐ The sterilization bill was shrouded in bitter and personal debate in the House today before it was advanced to third reading by a 147 to 54 vote.

Representatives Ellis of Fair Haven and Fiske of Weybridge exchanged words. Ellis attacked Federal Judge Harland B. Howe and Finnegan challenged the motives of those who designated on the calendar that the minority report of the committee on public health came only from one man.

The bill came in under two reports, a majority and a minority. On the calendar the reference to the minority report read in part; "Mr. Hanley for the minority (one member) of the etc." Finnegan claimed it was unfair and unprecedented to have such a distinction made. He said that when other minority reports had been entered on the calendar it was not stipulated how many of the committee submitted to it. He intimated it was a move to discredit the report, which was filed by Hanley of Hubbardton.

Official explanation for the distinction failed to develop on the floor but House clerks later explained that members of the majority of the committee had insisted it be designated that only one member disagreed. Hanley said he had no knowledge of the move to make the distinction and believed the report would be handled under the usual heading.

Ellis, who earlier in the day suggested the flag on the State House be placed at half‐mast, upon the passage of the bill to make Vermont one congressional district, bitterly assailed Judge Howe. He attacked the judge's action in circulating among members of the House books on the benefits of sterilization. Ellis termed them "filthy" and condemned the books being placed where the pages could read them. He told of the judge's work in seeking the passage of the sterilization bill and said, "It is the duty of the judge to enforce the law and not force it upon us."

Later in the debate Fiske said, "The best arguments for this bill come from the statements of the member, note that I do not say gentleman, from Fair Haven. He has made more dirty remarks than this House should listen to." He added another remark.

It was just as the debate had reached its peak that noon adjournment was taken and the debate was continued in the afternoon.

Murphy of St. Albans opened the debate by charging the measure placed eugenics before things of a higher order and termed the operation a "death dealing operation." He declared the public had no authority to tamper with the human body. Mrs. Daniels of Grafton countered with a reminder of the sponsorship of Governor Wilson in his inaugural address.

Dr. Martyn of Shrewsbury, one of the committee, said he would not call a bill unchristian which would prevent the bringing of idiots into the world and gave the opinion that there would not be much sterilization if the measure passed. Dawson of Woodstock joined him saying, "If anything can help to reduce that living death of insanity I am for it."

Hitchcock of Westfield offered opposition on the grounds the boys and girls in State institutions would be better off there than out in a community. He said he did not want to see them let loose on the State. Referring to relief from expense he claimed it simply meant the towns and cities would take up the burden instead of the State.

That no one has a right to become a parent who has so sinned that their children must suffer was stated by Harding of West Fairlee. Mrs Bickford of Bradford said no child wanted to enter the world unless it was equipped with a good mind and body. She added, "The unborn child pleads to you today not to be born if it means suffering for him. We are so careful with breeding our cattle to get good breeds and yet we give this human procreation no thought."

After attacking Judge Howe and the "one member" clause in the calendar, Ellis declared that some of the most degraded and moronic children come from parents of high caliber. He charged that poison liquor was filling the insane hospitals and that passage of such a bill would sponsor companionate marriage and birth control. He called the law "inhuman, unchristian, and against the laws of God." Desks in the House began to slam but Ellis shouted, "I'm not afraid of governors, United States judges, or all of you. When I stand here speaking for this God‐fearing and moral people of the State you can't shout me down."

Burke of Burlington attacked several provisions of the bill as inconsistent. He claimed that most of the persons in the insane hospitals were there as victims of their own sins. He claimed the bill was an insult to the teachings of God and claimed it had been proved that sterilized persons released in communities spread disease.

Powers of Vergennes favored the bill and Wishart of Barre pleaded for tolerance after Ellis and Fiske had clashed.

When the debate was resumed Whitney of Wardsboro offered amendments which would provide the Commissioner of Public Welfare shall approve of the two physicians and surgeon's passing on the subject to be sterilized. The amendments were voted down on a voice vote.