The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-07
SMALL navy MEN WIN
DAY WITH NO QUORUM
Force Two Battleship Men to
Adjourn without Rescind-
ing Former Action.
AWAIT WILSON SPEECH
Underwood Advises Delay Until
the Candidate Talks at
Notification.

WAsniNoroN, Aug. Ga serious sit
uation confronts the Democratic party
as q result OF the success Of the small
navy" men in preventing a quorum at
the caucus called for tonight at the IN
stance of the House leaders for the pur-
pose OF resembling previous action
against additions to the battleship fleet.
OF the 22S Democratic members or
the House only ss responded when the
roll was called As result the "cau-
Gus" adjourned without action.
Speaker Clark and Leader Under
wood made conciliatory speeches. but
House Democrats generally admit that
the feeling between the pro-battleship
members and the small navy" men is
ugller than ever.
The indications are that anti-navy
men will win the present fight unless
Gov. Woodrow Wilson. in his speech
accepting the nomination. favors addi-
tions to the navy. In his speech to-
night Representative Underwood said
in substance:
Let us all read the speech of ac-
ceptance of Gov. Wilson. then hold an
other caucus and pass a resolution ap-
proving the incorporation in this years
naval bill of an amendment authorizing
the construction OF one drcadnought."
This statement was wildly cheered.
II was taken To mean that Mr.. Under
wood has knowledge that Gov. Will
son will cast the weight OF his influence
| with the Democratic leaders who are
fighting for navy extensions.
There were charges OF bad faith fol-
! lowing the caucus tonight In an
effort to smoke out many "small navy
men who are fighting the battleship
programme under cover Representative
Sulzcr of New York and other Demo-
Gratis who are leading the fight for the
navy cndeavored to effect an arrange.
ment whereby the roll call at to.nights &
session would be given to the public.
Representative Burleson Of Texas
chairman OF the caucus. who was
severely criticised for his failure to give
to the public the roll call at the pre-.
vious caucus. absolutely refused tc
make known the names Of those who
I failed 10 put In an appearance tonight
| According to Mr.. Suzer an under.
standing was reached at the session that
the roll call would be made public
! Under Democratic caucus rule al
record votes arc entered In the journa
and tho proceedings get publicity. Rep.
rescntative Humphrey OF Mississippi
asked Chairman Burleson II the rul,
was to be observed in this instance
Chairman Burleson replied In tn,
affirmative. At the conclusion Of the
meeting Mr. Burlcson refused to Civ,
access 10 the roll call.
ARRANGEMENTS are already under wa,
to hold another caucus on the subjec
Of navy extensions. 1t is the genera
understanding that the House Demo
Gratis will be assembled Immediately fol
lowing the publication of the speech o
Gov. Wilson accepting the Presidential
nomination.
The "small navy" men have practi
cally abandoned hope OF defeating a on,
battleship resolution and the pro- nav,
men concedc that as things now stan,
they will have to be content with on,
Dreadnought. Speaker Clark and Mr
Underwood will work tomorrow {,
bring their followers into line. The!
think that when the next navy caucu
IL called to order quorum will b.
present and that one hattleship resolu
ton will be passed.