The Washington herald., 1912-08-07
NAVY MEN, FAIL
TO GET QUORUM
Efforts to Hold Caucus Are Unsuc-
cessful, but Roll Call Is
Withheld.
HARMONY PROGRAMME SPLIT
OVER BATTLESHR QUESTION
Absent Members Saved from Public
Criticism Because They OFF,
cially Are Not Known.

A serious situation confronts the Demo-
the small navy men in preventing the
presence of quorum at the caucus called
for tonight at the Instance of the House
leaders for the purpose Of resembling pre-
vious caucus action against additions to
the battleship fleet. OF the 22S Demo-
cratic members of the House only eighty
eight responded to their names when the
roll was called last night. As a result the
caucus adjourned without action.
Speaker Clark and Leader Underwood
made conciliatory speeches. but House
Democrats generally admit that the feel
ing between the pro-battleship members
and the small navy" men Is ugller than
ever.
There were charges of bad faith fol-
lowing the caucus last night. In an ef-
fort to smoke out many small navy
men who are fighting the battleship pro-
gramme under cover. Representative
Sulzer of New York and other Demo-
Gratis who are leading the fight for the
navy endeavored to effect an arrange
ment whereby the roll call at last
nights session would be given to the
public. Representative Burleson Of
Texas. chairman OF the caucus, abso-
lutely refused TO make known the names
Of those who failed to put in an ap-
pearance last night According to Mr..
Sulzer an understanding was reached at
last nights session that the roll call
would be made public. Under Demo-
cratic caucus rule all record votes are
entered in the journal. and the pro-
ceedings as noted given to the public.
Representative Humphrey of Mississippi
asked Chairman Burleson II the rule
was to be observed in TINS instance.
Chairman Burieson replied in the af-
frmative. At the conclusion of the
meeting Mr.. Burieson absolutely refused
to give reporters access to the roll call.
This has aroused the resentment OF pro-
battleship men and may result in trouble
In the organization.
Mix-uP Over Roll.
Tt was my understanding that the roll
would be made public" said Representa-
tive Sulzer The failure to give II out,
In my opinion. is a grave injustice to the
members Of the party who attended last
nights meeting in the expectation that
caucus would be held. Noses should
be counted on this subject, and the only
way We can do II Is to give to the
press the names Of those who were alb
sent from last nights session, as well as
the names OF those who ware present"
Arrangements are already under way to
navy extensions.
Last nights caucus was fixed for s
o'clock. At that hour less than thirty
members had appeared in the hall OF the
House. BY $50 the number present was
increased to sixty. and by 3 o'clock. when
the roll was called, eighty-eight members
were on hand. II soon became apparent
that the small navy" men had succeeded
in their plans to break the quorum. and
hof arN-hn fvh fttSf q
well quit. However. the members in at
tendance decided to talk over the situa-
ton, and endeavor. II possible. TO evolve
plan that would solve the problem
II was agreed by all those who partici-
pated in the debate that the failure OF
the Democrats to provide at least one
battleship in this years naval bill would
react on the party in the coming cleo
tons. Reference was made to the pro-
tests that have been pouring in for the
past week or so against the evident in
tention on the part OF many Democrats to
retard the expansion of the navy.
Underwood Is Concilintory.
Leader Underwood then took the floor.
Up to that time a coed deal of feeling
had been shown by the pro-battleship
members. Mr.. Underwood made
speech designed to harmonize the trou-
vised members on both sides OF the con-
troversy to be patient. He pointed out
that since the Democrats had come into
control of the House they had passed
through a number of crises and he saw
no reason why a compromise should not
be reached in this instance. He recalled
that at the beginning of the session he
had opposed the granting of appropria-
tons for battleships. He had changed
position because of the manifestation of
g large public sentiment favorable TO
navy extensions.
Speaker Clark Heard.
Speaker Clark followed Leader Under
wood. He also urged harmony. The
Speaker argued that the navy In no
wise presented a political question. and
that 1t would be foolish for the House
organization to become involved in a
prolonged row over 1t. The time was
inopportune, he said, for Democrats to
air their troubles. Mr.. Clark declared
that he favored and would vote for one
battieship. AMI he expressed the opinion
that although the Senate amendment
called for two battleships the Senate
would undoubtedly compromise on one.