The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-28
WILSON WANTS HOUSE
TO VOTE BATTLESH|PS
III. Friends blame Speaker
Clark for Reputation of
Democratic Platform.
MORE BOLTING PLEDGES
>ulzcr Confident Ono or Two
Battlcships Will he Pro.
vidcd for Tuesday.


WASHINGTON. July 27..-woodrow Will
son is sore over Speaker Champ Clark's
,.ttudc Of hostility to "an adequate
navy.' Information as to Gov Wilson's
,ramc Of mind on this subject was re-
eived by his Washington supporters
to-day.
Gov Wilson is said 10 feel that the
speaker should have made an argument
for battleships at tho recent party caucus.
Instead MIR. Clark voted to table the
na.tleship resolution.
The Speakers friends explained that
Mr.. Clark voted against the resolution
neoause 1t provided FOR two buttleships,
whereas he was committed to ono battle
ship only at this session of Congress.
Wilson'S lieut. tenants here point out
hat Mr.. Clark could have had opportunity
m the caucus to explain To his party
brethren that he was favorable to the
incorporation in the naval bill of an au-
thorization for one bait cship.
II il admitted on all sides that Repre-
sentative Burlcson OF Texas. who is OPP
posed TO battlcships. presided In an arbi.
trary manner. refusing 10 hear members
xho wanted to bc heard in support Of navy
extension.
However. all Democrats concede that
il Mr.. Clark had made il clear that he
desired to speak for one battl"ship
chairman Burleson. IA II matter Of Cour
ie,y, would have been forced to recog-
IL, 81, ~ nu lnynnp~nf il
party in the House.
Friends of Candidate wilson pointed
out to-day that the Baltimore platform
carries a plank declaring tor an "ade-
o,late navy" II is for this reason that
wilson supporters in Washington say
frankly that they ara puzzled over Mr..
,lark's vote on the b:ttleship pro-
grammc. The Speaker, whether Ivy !c-
sign or accident. arrayed himself against
Majority Leader Underwood. who voted
for the bait leship resolution.
II ia apparent that Speaker Clark is
rapidly getting out of touch with the
POTENTIAL Democratic leaders OF the
House. The predict ion is already made
d. that II the Democrats carry the next
House Mr.. Clark will be succeeded in the
office of Speaker by REPRESENTATIVE I'm
derwood.
In % personal way the Sprak-r j. s.lid
ia have already visited his dispea sure
on Representative Palmer "f Pennsyl-
vania. Burleson end Henry Of Texas end
Hughes Of New Jersey. who led tn" wilson
fight in tho baltimore conven,o ion. This
has excited resentment among Democrats
generally who believe il is the duty of all
hsa lsn..p.t
Of Wilson and Marshall. whatevcr dis
appointment they may feel persona lily
over the out come at Baltimore
Among the Democrats Who supported
Speaker Clark for the Prcsidentia' n"mi.
nation surprise Ia expressed o"c" Mr.
Clark's attitude toward the ha;;i-.h!r
,rogramme 1t may he stated cn au-
,horlty that Representative Sniz"r oi
Now York. who is l. aiding tn" tight Tor hat
,l,ships. il grisvod over tho Speak"r =
opposition 10 what Mr.. Sul"or b"lt"ves
:, bc cardinal principle OF the party
namely. n larger navy.
Leader Underwood has taken char Se
of the fight 10 rrst ind tn" cauvus decision
aga INST bat'leships. Mr.. Underwood is
uorvinced that the Democratic national
ticket will be irreparably injured II the
iarty has to face charge in ths coming
campaign tina, it laid down a policy hos
;iln 70 enlargement Of the navy.
Representative Broussard of louisi
ana. the only member Of the House who
served on the subcommittee that framed
the platform at Baltimore. made state
ment to-day relative To the naval plank
Mr.. Broussard recalled that Representa-
1--WE 4. W. Gregg OF Texas. a meipber oi
tho House naval committee and who i'
opposed IN hattlcship additions to thu
fleet. urged the resolutions committee tt
indorse the House caucus action against
dreadnoughts.
1T was the unanimous conclusion ol
he resolutions committee that we shoulc
not accept the counsel of Representative
Gregg" said Mr.. Broussard. The com
mittee's belief was that as to battleshipt
and other navy extensions each member
-hould be guided by his own conscience
The platform declared for an adequate
.avy" That term il broad enough II
u: opinion to permit members to follow
'.eir own devices in voting OH navy
propositions
With Speaker Clark and Majority Leader
'''''lNbiN va ppiosNV e''Se - " '''''
party wrangle the House Democrats
found little Of comfort in the battleshiI
angle to-day. To make matters wors'
letters and telegrams began to pour IL
PROTESTING against the caucus action.
The letters had u noticeable effect OF
b" prospects Of the pro bait leship cause
number OF the weaker brethren wh'
mad cast their votes in the caucus will
Ae pork barrel" contingent indicated
.o-day that they would no longer IN
rojnd by the caucus action. Others ar
wayering and would be glad at least OF aI
ppounity to settle the question ont
Na" or another before sentiment In thei
u!,trcts becomes more thorough!
,roused 4 number of these messages
nave been too pointed to disregard.
Don't bother to run for reelection
you continue to oppose battleshipe.
the advice one man from the middle
Wo., received from his district.
New York State leaders are taking
nand in the fight. Representative Sul2e
to-iay received a number Of letters AM
iolesrams In which he was commended
- ha attitude Fro'r Representative
,6arles B. smith Of Buffalo came thi