The Washington times., 1912-07-26
HOUSE CH|EFTA|NS
ARE AT ODDS OVER
BATTLESH|P ISSUE
Clark and Underwood Diff
fer, and Wilson's Advice
4. May Be Sought.

For the fourth time the battleship
question has arisen to plague the DEM
ocrats Of the House. and there Ia much
evidence today Of internal strife In the
House majority. Following the action
OF the recent caucus which again de-
clared against any authorization Of
battleships. a petition is being circu-
lated today by Congressman suizer and
Chriey for another party council.
The requisite number of signatures
will be obtained and the battleships' ad-
vocates. who claim that the caucus
"Wednesday night was ruled in high
handed manner by the 'enemies of the
navy" today assert there will be no
icompromise. Those who really favor
two new ships were ready to compro-
mise wednesday. on one new dread
nought, but all motions to rescind the
former action of the caucus were tabled,
and according to Congressman Suixer
and others, Congressman Burleson. eau
Gus chairman, adjourned the caucus
without division of the question of
adjournment.
Leaders Opposed.
Speaker Clark and Congressman I'm
derwocd are on opposite sides Of the
that the family row among the Demo-
Gratis has grown SO serious that Gov
iernor Wilson, the Democratic nominee,
may be asked to outline his views as to
what IL meant in the Democratic plat
FORM by "an adequate navy" = p
Mr Sulzer also declared that the roll
call was improperly suppressed after
ceedings Of this character might nuilify
the effectiveness of party councils. The
fourth caucus on the battleship question
probably will be held early next week.
recalled to Washington. The caucus
adopted a resolution to bring in several
score Democrats who are now back
home repairing their political fences.
Roll Call Result.
All resolutions looking to a compro-
mise between the Senate and House on
the battleship issue were tabled by the
caucus by vote of 20 to g.. Mr.. sulzer
said today there would be no quarter
given at the next caucus and that the
two-battleship advocates would fight to
a finish to redeem the blunder Of the
party in its attitude toward the navy.
'I was surprised to see," said Mr..
Sulzer, that no paper carried the roll
call ,S on my motion e resei1a the action
tion. Tho suppression Of the roll call
was accomplished by the enemies OF
battleships- and was uujustihable. It
these roll calls should be made public.
The suppression OF the roll was VIOLA
ton Of the rules. which. II 1t had oc-
Cured in the House proper, would have
caused smell riot" MT. Sulzer prom
ises there Win be publicity. Of roll calls
hereafter
The detailed vote on the battleship
issue was finally obtained from caucus
officials after some difficulty yesterday
The roll call was unavailable for news
paper men on the night OF the caucus.
Representative Ashbrook, the secretary
Of the caucus, Claiming II was In the
possession Of q clerk whose name he
did not know, and who could not be
located after the caucus doors were
opened.
Speaker Clark and Representatives
Fitzgerald and Burleson were among
the House leaders who voted to table
all motions for either one or two bat
tleships Representative Underwood.
Sulzer. and Littleton were among those
who favored compromise and the re-
scinding Of the former caucus action.