New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-22
Make Most Serious Attempt of
Present Session to Block
Legislation in House.
FIGHT ON TWO BATTLESHIPS
Forty Economists" Banded
Together Determined to
Prevent Passage of
Measure.
IFrom The TrIbune Burea,l.l

Washington. Feb. 2l.-The small navy"
contingent in the House began hlibust.r
against the naval appropriation bill lste
to-day, blocked plans for a night session
and threatened TO contest every item 4,
the bill In fgrtherance Of the opposition
Of the Democratic economists n a,
authorization of two battleships.
When the flibuster made such headwav
that the House was forced to abandon
it, night session. considerable bitterness
became evident among the Democatic
members and Chairman Padgett Of the
Naval Committee may seek gag rule
to put the naval budget through The
economists claim Il will be impossible
TO obtain such a rule. because Demo
cratic members Of the Rules Committee
would not dare TO employ steam roller
tactics in the passage Of bill carrying
sii6.cooco.
The hlibuster now on is the most serious
attempt made during the entire Sixty
second Congress 10 retard legislation. The
small navy Democrats held another
conference tonight to map out the line
Of attack when debate on the naval bill
is resumed Tomorrow.
When Mr.. Padgett moved 10 take I'D
the naval bill he asked unanimous con-
sent that general debate on the measure
might be concluded at II o'clock tonight.
Mr.. Culop, Of Indiana. promptly OBJ
iected Mr.. Padgett then moved TO 20
into committee of the whole for the in
formal consideration OF the bill and tho
Indiana member noted the absence OF
quorum. Time was wasted on roll call.
After going into committee OF the whole
MIR. Padge,t asked 10 dispense with the
first reading Of the bill. He made the re-
quest as though he really expected II 10
be granted bit Representative Carey. Of
Wisconsin. cast his lot With the hlibus-
tcring Democrats by refusing unanimous
consent.
The Wisconsin Republican Is not op-
posed 10 the naval bill proper but he
wants & TO hang fire as long as possible
I'm order 10 stave off consideration Of The
District of Columbia appropriation bill TO
which the senate has tackled rider pro-
viding regulations which amount almost
70 prohibition Of the sale OF liquor IN
Washington. Nj. Carey Is ardently )p-
posed 70 all prohibition legislation
Realizing that he was up AKA
fllibuster in earnest. Ny. Padseu asked
the reading clerk TO proceed WIN Inc
perfunctory first reading Of the sixty
page naval bill. The clerk read TWO para
graphs when ne was interrupte" by h'.
Booher. OF Missouri.
The reading of this bin j. a very m-
portant matter" said Nj. Booher. So
EMMY. Members should be present ;o
hear IL. ard I note there IS 10 quorum
present.
The lack of quorum was evident asa
a moment later Mr.. Padgett moved tn'
adjournment Of the House. Adjournment
was taken several hours in advance Oh
the scheduled time. and the night session
was abandoned. although the House lea'-
ers have several times warne'i the or
streperous Democrats that numoei u
,ne annual supply bills may faii Of pas
sage unless that body remains almost
constantly in session until March J.
On the SHOW Of strength this are noon
II VAS apparent that about forty econ
o,,v" Democrats have banded together 70
defeat the naval bill by obstructive tao
tlcs. Leading the ilibusterins FORCES are
representatives Burnett, author OF the
s2j onCc0 pork barrel which recenhy
IA ssed the House. Cullop, OF indiana
MOS ~ Texas: Tribble. Howard and FOO
deuberv. OF Georgia: Saunders. ~ VII
opifa. and Sisson, OF Mississippi