Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-03
HOLD-UP. IS RESUMED
Democrats FiIibuSter Under
Lead of Williams.
DELAY HOUSE BUSINESS
Republicans May Bring in a Drastic
Rule.
INFORMAL CONFERENCE HELD
Legislative Proceedings Consisted
Simply Of a Succession of
Roll Calls.
DELAY HOUSE BUSINESS
INFORMAL CONFERENCE HELD

Under the leadership of Representa-.
tive John Sharp Williams of Missis-
sippi. the leader Of the minority in the
House. the filibuster OF yesterday which
resulted in the House remaining In ses-
sion until after 10 o'clock last night,
was resumed today. Mr. williams de-
manded roll calls on every conceivable
proposition of which. under the rules.
he could avail himself. and consequently
up to the time The stars report closed
absolutely nothing had been accom-
plished.
The minority leader started the filibuster
again Immediately after the House con-
vened. He demanded the yeas and nays
on the approval Of the journal, and again
Immediately afterward, on a motion to
go into committee of the whole to con-
slider the urgent deficiency bill appropriat-
Ing s2UO,OU and which had been urged
by the Secretary of the Navy for i'm
mediate passage in order that he might
not be forced to make any further dis
charges OF navy yard employees.
The fact that Mr.. Williams included
this measure In the democratic filibuster
occasiOned some surprise on both sides
OF the House The idea Of the republican
majority being forced, by reason Of demo-
cratic time-kiling tactics, to work over
time for the passage of a bill to keep a
considerable number of workingmen in
their jobs did not appeal to some of the
minority members being a very wise
move. At the same time they had prom
Used the minority leaders to help along
the filibuster and they stuck to their
guns.
Charged With Bad Faith.
Representative Fitzgerald of New York
accused Secretary of the Navy Metcalf Of
not having kept faith with the House. He
recalled the Secretarys statement be-
fore the appropriations committee to tine
effect that the s., 600 900. In question was
necessary at once If a large number or
mechanics in navy yards were to retain
their positions, and declared that despite
the fact that the deficiency bill had pass
ed both the Senate and House, and there
was excellent prospect of its soon becom-
tne q law. the Secretary had gone to work
and -furloughed large number of men
for periods up to ninety days.
Chairman Tawney of the appropriations
committee replied to Mr. Fitzgeralds
remarks in a somewhat sarcastic vein.
He said that Secretary Metcalf was for
merly a member Of the House of Repre-
sentatives and probably realized that. in
view OF the dilatoIy tactics of the demo-
Gratis 1t would be safe for him to con-
tinue the employment of all the men In
question in the hope that the deficiency
bill would become law i'm time to meet
the payment of salaries when due.
There were two or three more roll calls
on, this same bill. john Sharp Williams
successfully opposing every attempt at A
shortcut on the part of the republicans.
and up to O'Clock this afternoon the
proceedings in the House amounted sim
ply to succession OF roll calls.
May Bring Rule.
This afternoon the republican leaders in
the House held an informal conference,
democrats continue the present filibuster
a drastic rule will be brought into the
House by majority of the committee on
rules. under which the House machine
Only a Skirmish.
Leaders of the two parties in the House
|Of Representatives agree that yesterdays
engagement on the floor was but skir-
mish preliminary to an extended battle
in which the democratic minority expects
to fight out to finish its program of en-
deavOring to secure by coercion certain
legislation demanded by it and in part
recommended by the President, and the
republican majority VIII abandon its de-
fensive attitude and carry the war across
the border. For the struggle both forces
will strip for action, and all such impedi-
menta as private bills and minor legisla-
ton in general will be cast aside and
trampled under foot.
Five of the big appropriation bills are
yet to be disposed of. and the fighting
plan of the minority is to compel action
on selected measures by blockading all
action. neither minor bills nor debates OF
anA length must be allowed 10 consume
the time remaining.
Mr.. Williams Explanation.
Representative Williams, the leader
of the minority, denies that the affray
was i'm the nature of a filibuster He de-
clared today that the democrats were not
fiIibustering. but 'are intent upon
serious and highly commendable effort to
force the republicans to do one OF two
things: either pass certain measures
which most of them are personally In
favor Of. and which a republican Prcsi-
den has urged or suffer themselves to be
recorded openly and individually as OPP
posed to them"
There was n slim attendance of MEM
hers when the House convened today.
due to the strenuous session Of vester-
day. which ran far into the night. Both
Messrs. Payne and Williams. tie ma
jority and minority leaders. how wever.
were on hand prepared for the further
again under way. The partisans on both
sides were evidently determined to con-
duct the fight to a finish.
"Roasts" the President.
During the flibuster proceedings on the
floor of the House today Representative
FITZGERALD Of New York managed to Sc
cure seven minutes time, which he de-
voted to roast" Of the President. He
spoke of Mr.. Roosevelt as ''insincere and
hypocritical." and made fun of the horse
back test prescribed by the Chief Execu-
tive for officers of the army.
Heavens cried Mr.. Fitzgerald. what
a spectacle would result If the President
should order my colleague from New
York. Mr.. Payne. to mount horse and
60 over the steeplechase course lat Chevy
Chase to prove his fitness to be the leader
of the republican majority in this House"
Mr. Payne weighs somewhere in the
vicinity of 800. He did not seem to en-
Joy Mr.. Fitzgeralds reference. Every
body else did
CONSUL TO BERNE DEAD.
lanes Jeffrey Roche Of Massachu.