The Washington herald., 1912-08-06
Members from Both Houses Meet
and Prepare to Make Fight in
Caucus for Two Battleships.
MAY POSTPONE ADJOURNMENT
UNTIL THEY GAIN THEIR END
Senate, in Favoring Lodge Resolu'
ton, Would Be Acting Incon-
sistent to Oppose Program.

notice that unless the House concurs In
the Senate mandment to the naval ap-
preparation bill authorizing the construc-
ton OF two battleships that everybody
concerned might Just as well make ready
for a long stay in Washington. Through
Representative Sulzer Of New York and
other big navy men. Senators have sent
word that It is their purpose to stand pat
on the two battleship amendment. The
Senate leaders have received assurance
that nearly all the House Republicans
and a small coterie of Democrats In the
lower branch will uphold the hands OF the
Senate on the naval extension pro-
gramme.
The attitude of the Senate and a meth
cd procedure to govern their conduct In
the caucus of House Democrats to be
held to-day on the proposal to grant two
additions to the battleship fleet were
made the subject OF a conference by big
navy Democrats last night. About thirty
members were In attendance. The pro-
navy men decided to make every EFFORT to
force the adoption OF a resolution releas-
ing Democrats from the rule of the eau
Gus on all questions affecting the military
establishment afioat. Consideration was
given the possibility that the small
navy" members would absent themselves
from the caucus in such numbers as to
break a quorum. Representative Sulzer
announced that he and others had made
a poll Of the House and were convinced
that quorum would be present tonight.
Representative Sulser Prcsides.
Representative Sulzer presided at last
nights conference. He Vas made chair
son of Alabama. Messrs. Sulzer. Levy.
and Goldfogie. OF New York; Murray
OF Massachusetts. Carlin of Virginia.
and Pou Of North Carolina. delivered hot
speeches in support OF the battleship
programme. Mr.. Hobson insisted that II
was the duty of the party to rescind the
caucus acion binding members to oppose
battleships. He charged that the action
OF the caucus was unpatriotic, and said
tha II adhered TO II would be severely
condemned by the people at the polls.
He expressed the hope that the battle
ship members would carry the fight to
the end.
After a lively discussion of an hour
or more it was decided TO appoint a COM
mlttee to confer to-day with Speaker
Clarke and Leader Underwood. and Rep
resentative Burleson OF Texas. chairman
of the caucus. ghis committee, which is
comprised of Representatives Hobson,
Carlin, and Pou. was instructed to in
form Messrs. Clark. Underwood and
Burleson that II was the wish Of those
parties to last nights conference tina all
Democras should be released from any
instructions relative to battIeships.
The committee will also insist upon a
fair hearing of their side OF the case
in to-night's caucus. They will ask that
two hours be allowed for debate, to be
equally divided between the opponents
and proponents Of navy extensions. Rep
resentative Carlin was instructed and
he will be present at to-nghts caucus.
A resolution providing for two hours
debate, the time to be equally divided
and controlled by Representative Carlin,
in behalf OF the battleship members, and
Representative Burnett of Alabama. who
is opposed to an authorization for bat
tleshlps at this session.
Want Fair Treatment.
The pro-navy men will not stand for
unfair treatment at the hands of Chair
man Burleson. Complaint was made
after the recent caucus that Mr.. Bur-
Lesson presided in an arbitrary manner,
and that he took advantage Of his po-
sition to the extent of practically deny
ing battleship advocates the right Of
speech.
A resolution, proposing that Democrats
shall be released from the rule OF the
caucus on all navy questions. will be
offered by Representative Sulzer. 1t is
around this measure that the battleshp
men will make their fight. They will en-
deavor to table every other resolution
that may be introduced, and put through
one that Mr.. Sulzer will present in ac-
cordance with the instructions given to
him at last nights caucus.
At least twenty Democrats, and pos
sibly twenty-five, will stand out for two
stood, will oppose this proposition. They
are now willing to compromise on one
Dreadnoght, but cannot see their way
clear to yield to two.
Representative Sulzer appears to be
confident that a two-battleship amend
ment will be incorporated in this years
ravaI bill Mr.. Sulzer insists that the
Senate will hold Congress in session II
necessary to force the adoption of the
two-battieship amendment.
Democrats close to the House leader
ship say that the Senate is 'blufing."
They insist that when the SHOW down"
comes that the Senate will compromise
on one battlesip, and that once they get
that concession an agreement will be
speedily reached on the naval bill. On
the other hand pro-navy men point out
that the Senate has indorsed the hands
on resolution OF Senator Lodge, and
that it would be inconsistent for the
Upper House, in view of its militant at
titude on the Lodge measure, to agree
to any proposition that retards the build
ing of the navy along modern lines.