The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-25
SEVERAL MEMBERS
THREATEN TO BOLT
Unless a Compromise Is
Reached Republicans May
Be Able to Force Provi-
sion for Two Vessels.
BY International News Service.

VA TASHJNGTON, July 24.-Deciding
NM in caucus by vote of 70 to 62
WV to stand out against any battle
ship authorization at this ses-
sion OF congress. the Democratic;
house tonight recorded It's obstinate de-
termination to defy the sentiment of the
country as expressed at national political
conventions and to override the will OF
the people.
Representative Burnett of Alabama
who has led the Democratic fight against
o4ttleship construction because he could
not get money for public buildings, forced
the opposing vote on batueships at the
caucus tonight and pledged the Democrats
to continuance OF their policy Of hos
tility TO the American navy.
There are z31 Democratic members OF
the house and about 1872 members at
tended the cauous. Democratic Floor
Leader Underwood cast his vote for a
compromise with the senate on its pro-
gTaTnme Of two battleships. Immediately
he offered a resolution. which was adopt
ed. that all Democratic absentees shall
be recalled that they can participate In
house legislation.
Action Not Final.
The. action OF the Democratic caucus
tonight Is not final. The question of the
battleship appropriation at this session is
coming back to plague the Democrats.
When the vote was announced Lee and
Donohue of Pennsylvania Sulzer, Levy
and Littleton of New York. Broussard
and EstopInaI of Louisiana. Burke of
Wisconsin. Hobson OF Alabama and 9TH
ers gave notice that they would demand
exemption from caucus bonds ON the sub
ject OF battleshlp construction. Others
OF the siXtytwo members voting against
the caucus resolution have one day In
which to declare In writing their inten-
tlon not to be bound by the caucus ao-
ton. 1t takes two thirds majority In a
Democratic caucus TO bind finally. This
majority was not had In the vote to-
night.
Democratic advocates OF battleships an
nounce tonight that unless there is a re-
scinding of the caucus action and either
full freedom left TO members to vote as
they shall determine. or a compromise on
one battleship effected. they will bolt
the caucus and vote for two battleships
with the Republicans. They can carry
they adopt this course.
Senate Stands Fast.
Senator Perkins and his colleagues of
the senate committee Will stand against
the Democratic caucus decision, They
will not agree 10 a navy bill without
battleshlp authorization. With the sem
ate holding out and Bixty or more DEM
ocrats of the house preparing TO bolt,
the prospect for two battleshlps grows
brighter daily.
representatives. Burleson Of Texas. |
arch enemy OF battleship construction.
and member OF Governor Woodrow
Wilson'S advisory committee, was chair |
man OF the caucus, Secretary Ashbrook
and Mr. Burleson tonight announced that |
the rollcslI showing how each Democrat |
who attended the caucus voted on the |
proposition had disappeared. How this |
happened he did not explain. Among |
those who voted for battIeships were the |
New York members. with the exception |
Of Fitzgerald. Gregg. Lee. Donohue |
Palmer OF Pennsylvania, Underwood |
Hobson OF Ala ALBANIA Broussard, Esto- |
pinal Dupre of louisiana Padgett, Ten !
nessee.
Representative Sulzcr lost his resolu-
ton to rescind the previous action OF
the caucus, which was contended by
to exempt Democrats favodng
two battleships from caucus shackIes.
Padgett Appeals in Vain.
Chairman Padgett of the house naval
committee. moved 10 instruct for one
battlesbip. In his appeal to the caucus
for support. Padgett said that the sem
ate and house conferees had agreed az
q compromise on one battleship and he
asked that this action by his committee
oe ratified.
Fitzgerald OF New York made an i'm
pa ssloned speech against any battleship
on the ground that the
revenues Of the country did not warrant
his unnecessary expenditure,
Members of the Missouri delegation
sat IN sulen silence.
Burnett Of Alabama cut short the de-
bate with his motion 10 table all mo-
Ions pending. This WAS carried On roll
.ail by the vote of 10 to 62.
Representative James Curley OF Massa-
who voted tonight In the Demo-
:rauc CAUCUS for two battleshlpe. Will ,
itart a petition tomorrow among the !
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