The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-05-15
SENATORS LOCK
HORNS IN FIGHT
BIG BATTLE OVER PRESIDENTS
APPOINTMENT OF HARRIS.
REPUBLICANS IN fILIBUSTER
Rapid Fire of Motions and Roll Calls
Keep Democrats From Forcing Is.
sue Five Hours-Failure Follows
Attempt invoke"Reed Rule"

Washington, ID. c., May 14.-Senate
republicans began their first big fight
on President Wilson's nominations
last night when the appointment of
wv. J. Harris of Georgia as director of
the census, succeeding E. Dana Dur
and, was taken up in executive ses-
sion. For almost five hours the SEN
ate played at cross purposes on the
--arris nomination without ever enter
ing into discussion of the merits of
the case.
The republicans forced roll call af-
ter roll call on the question of proceed
ure and in support of tactics which
the democrats termed dilatory. Mo-
tons to put the nomination over I'M
til today, until Friday and until next
week were put and defeated and fin
ally, when the membership on both
sides had dwindled away to almost
nothing, adjournment was taken until
today with the Harris nomination still
just where it was.
Republican leaders have served no
tice that they expect to keep up the
fight against the confirmation of Har-
ris until July l at least, when Durand
has announced his intention to quit.
Under the senate rules there is no
question of their ability to filibuster
to their hearts content.
During the debate last night an I'M
successful attempt was made to in.
woke the famous Reed rule"by which
members present in the chamber but
not voting were counted, in an at
tempt to disclose a quorum This in
novation brought forth more speeches.
The republican fight centers largely
on the contention that offices requir-
ing technical knowledge or scientific
attachments should not be given as
political rewards. While no charges
have been made against Harris, the
republicans claimed that he was not
so well qualified by experience to
hold the Office as was Durand. Har-
ris was chairman of the democratic
state executive committee of Georgia
in the last campaign and is known as
an original Wilson man. His appoint
ment was one of the early ones to i'm
portant offices sent in by President
Wilson. ...
A picture of huge and often excess
i've profits of the United States steel
corporation, its domination of, the
rail and ore industries to prevent prof.
1t on transportation was presented to-
day in a report of the Bureau of Cor
porations The report was the third
installment of the Bureaus investi
cation of the steel industry.
- - -:
No general legislative execution of
tariff and currency reform during the
special session of congress was the
edict today of Representative Under
wood, majority leader of the house.
He admitted that pressure is being
brought to bear to consider this sum-
mer the Burnett immigration bill
...... 49, -:-.-:- -
The senate foreign relations COM
mittee today reported favorably for
the confirmation by the upper house
of President Wilson's appointment.
of George w. Guthrie of Pittsburgh to
be Ambassador to Japan. -
-. - -
Secretary of Labor Wilson today
accepted the resignation of DR.. Chas.
P. Neill, for eight years commissioner
of labor and famous federal mediator
under the Erdman act in railroad la
Dor disputes. Neill leaves the gov
eminent service tomorrow to accept
a position at reported salary of $780,
600 year to supervise labor condl-
tons of the American Smelling and
Refining Company.