Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-08
WOULD TIME DEBATE HITS PATENT LAWS
But Senator Johnston Fails to Report on 0dfeld Bill Sug
Limit Speeches on Canal Bill gests Many Changes.
ASKS CONTINUOUS SESSION MEASURE REACHES HOUSE
And Would Members Favorable Action by Committee But
From Speaking Again Measure. Fight Is in Prospect
DIVISION AMONG DEMOCRATS OPPOSITION ATTORNEYS
by
liams
Senator Martin It's
But Senator Johnston Fails to
Limit Speeches on Canal Bill.
ASKS CONTINUOUS SESSION
And Would Bar Certain Members
From Speaking Again on Measure.
DIVISION AMONG DEMOCRATS
Amendment Offered by Mr.. Will
liams Brings on Sharp Contro-
versy With Senator Martin.

An unsuccessful attempt TO make the
Senate sit continuously until the Panama
canal bill is finished and to limit speakers
to five minutes each was made by Sena-
tor Johnston of Alabama, when the Senate
met today.
Senator Johnston presented an agree
ment that would have debarred any sena-
tor hwo has spoken for more than an
hour on the canal bill, from again taking
part in the debate. He declared the Sen
ate had all the Information it needed and
that it should be compelled to act on the
canal legislation, rather than talk.
Senator Bristow objected to such an
agreement, at least until the section reg
ulating railroad-owned ships had been
reached. 1t was believed when the canal
bill was taken up early today. however.
that it might be completed and finally
voted upon before adjournment tonight.
Williams Causes Controversy.
An amendment was offered to the
Panama bill by Senator Williams of Mis-
sissippi, providing that foreign-built
ships owned wholly by Americans should
be entitled to engage in American coast
wise traffic through the canal.
This proposal was attacked by SEN
ators Lodge, Root. Thornton. Gallinger
and others, who declared 1t would open
up the coastwise traffic to the shipbuild-
ers of foreign countries. and would
finally result in the dismantling of all
private shipbuilding plants in the
United States.
ITO leave this country without ship
yards would be a severe misfortune"
said Senator Lodge.
I'VE would be shorn Of our power to
build ships" added Senator Root, land
would be crippled before the nations OF
the world"
Democratic Ranks Divided.
Senator Williams free ship amendment
produced a sharp division in the demo-
cratic ranks. Senator Martin of Virginia
opposed it on the ground that the Senate
did not have enough information upon
which to vote on the Williams amend
ment. Senator Williams declared Sena-
tor Martin was making a protective
speech in favor of Virginia shipyards.
Senator Martin In turn accused Senator
Williams OF arrogance. The latter de-
clared Senator Martin was following the
lines Of the protectionists who had for
years maintained a duty on ships in the
interests of American shipbuilders.
THE senator Is arrogant and losing
his temper as he frequently does when
criticising men, declared Senator Mar
tin.
Il am not arrogant. nor am losing my
temper" retorted Senator Williams. II
stand on my statement and the record
will show 1t that the senator from Vir-
ginia made a protectionist speech. A
fOurteen-year-Old schoolbOy reading the
record could see that
He added that the speech was just as
much along the lines of protection as the
the chamber.
Williams Amendment Defeated.
The Williams free ship amendment was
defeated by vote Of thirty-eight to ten.
Senator Brandegee first made a point
of order against It. claiming such amend
ments were not in order on the bill to
regulate Panama canal tolls and man.
agement. The point OIL order was de-
feated. but the Senate Immediately aft
erward voted down the Williams amend
ment.
Senator Williams then offered another.
to admit to American registry any Amer
ican-owned ships of foreign make, which
were engaged exclusively in foreign
trade. He said this provision would in
no way affect American shipbuilding, or
oner any foreign competition in the
American coastwise trade.
Second Amendment Adopted.
The second Williams amendment was
adopted by the Senate by a vote of "a
to "a, after some debate. MANY repub-
licans voted for 1t, expressing their belief
that 1t would enable many foreign built
| ships to fly the American flag without
bringing the cheaper shipbuilding of for
eign nations into direct competition with
American plants and workmen.
Senator Gallinger then introduced an
amendment, providing that ships built
| under the provision of the Williams
amendment should not be entitled to
United states mail subsidies
Opposes Gallinger Amendment.
Senator Williams declared the Gal
linger amendment. If adopted. would
practically nullify the amendment that
had just been adopted. for the admis-
sion OF new ships to the use of the
American flag. Senator Gallinger with
drew his amendment for the purpose Of
redrafting it.
Lower tolls for ships passing through
the canal lin ballast was pr0posed nv
Senator Johnston of Alabama. and an
amendment adopted to authorize such
reduction in rates.