The Washington times., 1912-08-06
DEMOCRATS TO
RESC|ND THEIR
."NO-SHP' PLAN
The. Insurgent Members In
House viii Force
Action.

Determined to force the Democratic
caucus tonight to rescind its former
action declaring against battleships, q
score or more OF "insurgent' Demo-
Gratis today served an ultimatum upon
Speaker Clark. Congressman Under
wood, the minority header: and Con-
gresham Burleson, the caucus chair
man.
The ultimatum is directed particularly
at Mr.. Burleson, who has been ac-
cused Of shutting of free speech at the
caucus two weeks ago, when the
larger navy" advocates were defeated
by eight votes. -
Campaign Mapped Out.
A meeting Of the "insurgent" Demo
Gratis, headed by Congressman sulzer of
New York. was held last night The
following line Of campaign was map
ped out for the caucus tonight, which
will be the fourth held by the Demo-
Gratis on the subject Of battleships:
A committee Of three was appointed
to wait upon Messrs. Clark, Under
wood. and Burleson today. This COM
mittee win demand the following things
at the party confab tonight:
First the resembling Of the action of
three preceding caucuses.
Second, the release of all Democrats
from caucus pledges, allowing each ma
5ority member Of the House to vote
as his conscience dictates when the con-
ference on the naval appropriation bill
Is presented.
Third. free speech in the caucus, with
two hours debate-one half of the time
to be controlled by the two battleships
advocates and the other by the anti
battleship partisans Notice will be
served that the gag rule will not
work and that Mr.. Burleson must recog-
nize those who desire to speak In favor
Of the authorization for one or more
new ships. At the caucus held two
weeks ago. Mr.. Burleson is accused Of
shutting of debate and failing to recoy.
nize even Mr. Underwood when the lat
ter sought to speak in favor of COM
promise on one ship.
Statement by Sulzcr.
Following the meeting of protest held
last night, Congressman Sulzer, who
was selected as chairman Of the gath
ering, said: .".'
I'VE decided to appoint a committee
Of three, consisting of Congressman
Hobson. Carlin. and Pou. to wait
upon Messrs. Clark, Underwood. sand
Burleson. This committee will inform
these gentlemen that we want two
hours debate on the battleship ques-
ing of the former caucus action and the
release of all Democrats to vote as
they choose on this question.
We have have examined the preoedents
party made partisan issue OF the navy.
/ shall introduce a resolution to release
all OF the majority members OF the
House from the mandate Of previous
caucuses. This motion, we are satisfied,
will carry II free debate is permitted.
and this will mean two battleships, as
there are a sufficient number Of Demo-
Gratis whi win vote with the House mi
ment for two ships.
Trouble l. Threatened.
III free debate is denied-as It was at
the last caucus-there will be trouble.
None of us seek personal glory in
this night. but We are determined that
the supremacy OF the navy shall be
maintained. and we challenge the right
of the party caucus to dictate how we
shall vote on the question of battleships.
Never before has such thing been at
At the last caucus the vote was 70
to SO against battleships and the in
surgents allege that eight men have
lieve in an adequate navy and who
are under obligations to their con-
sciences and their constituencies.
ocratic caucus tonight will be bit
ter and prolonged affair, and that q
compromise will be reached whereby
the House will agree to the authoriza-
Sulzer says the Senate viii hold out
for its two-ship amendment, but It is
reliably reported that Mr.. Underwood
and other House leaders have been
House half way in the battleship
fight.
Congressmen Sulzer, Pou, Hobson,
Murray, Levy, Carlin. Donohue, Lee Of
Pennsylvania, Lobeck. Humphries, and
Taggert are among the Democrats who
attended the meeting last night, and
the night for battieships tonight.