East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-03-27
DEBATE ON REPEAL
Of TOLLS LIMITED
TO TWENTY HOURS
Administration Forces Gain Advant.
age in House in Opening Fight
on important Measure.
CLARK ATTACKED BY ADAMSON
Fight Has Developed Into Contest for
Control OF Democratic Party
President Wilson Recognizes Situa.
ton and Is Prepared to Fight
Passage In House Seen.

WASHINGTON, March 27.-Tht
presidents personal plea to congress,
for the repeal of the exemption clause
will not be in vain SO far as the house
is concerned. This was indicated
when advocates OF the Sims resolu.
ton, providing for the repeal of the
exemption clause, swept the opposl'
ton off its feet in two test votes. The
first came when the opposition, led
by Clark. was defeated In an effor,
TO continue the debate on the rule an ]
limit the debate on the repeal reso.
luton to 20 hours. The next victory
came when II voted to limit the de-
bate on the Sims resolution to 20
hours. Clark opposed the admins
ta;ion, coting with the opposition
Administration leaders predicted the
final vote will carry by a majority as
large az the test cases
Resides Clark, Wilson supporters
also had TO face the opposition of Un-
derwood who was one of the most
bitter opponents of the Sims resolu-
ton.
Representative Adamson led the
administration forces and while he
didn't personally denounce Clark, his
references to the speaker were most
pointed. 1t Is believed he is saving
his ammunition until the 20 hour de-
bate On the resolution starts.
Despite his opposition to the repeal
resolution. Underwood indirectly
scored Clark for his break with the
president.
WASHINGTON, March 27.-The
first blood for the repeal of the ex-
emption clause In the canal act was
drawn by the administration forces
today. II came when the house by
a vote OF 207 to 176 decided to close
the debate on the rule limit in Sims
resolution to 90 hours. 1t was test
vote and indicated the strength in the
house of the presidents following.
Advocates OF the bill insist the vote
indicates the passage of the resolu-
ton itself.
The stand taken yesterday by Clark
against the repeal OF the free tolls
clause was accepted by administration
leaders az n declaration of war. 1t
was evident although no official
statement was forthcoming. that the
president considered the free tolls
questions had developed into a fight
for control of the democratic party.
1t was equally plain the president was
prepared to fight. The breach be-
tween the president and Speaker
Clark overshadowed even the repeal
question when the house convened,
and one of the bitterest fights In
years started when Representative
Adamson opened an attack on the
Missourian.
Adamson spoke for IL minutes His
denupciation of Clark was extremely
bitter. He was followed by Repre-
of Clark in the house was the signal
for an outpurst of applause.
During the opening prayer, Chap
lain Couden referred to manly men
in great crisis"
Representative Henry called up the
repeal resolution. Sherwood began
a perfunctory speech against the re-
peal while both factions jockeyed for
an advantage in the opening debate.
WASHINGTON, March 27.-De-
fense Of President Wilson's request
for the repeal of the exemption clause
of the Panama canal act was voiced
in the house today by Representative
Adamson of Georgia.
'I would not be impolite enough to
accuse anyone of reasonable con-
duct he said, but when the presi-
dent Of any party emphasizes the dire
extremity OF the government by going
personally to congress and describes
an obstacle in the safe conduct of for
eign affairs, no man can escape by
bubble and sophistry.
whoever fights this repeal now
not only fights honest equality and
domestic economy OF the people, but
fights the administration on the for
eign policy of the government, and
If disaster results must share the
odium and responsibility for the
cheap and vulgar criticism that has
been INDUCED in regarding the pres
ident's motives.
"The president has been charged,
without foundation. with dickering
with governments and trading for
help and peace. Nations do not do
business in any such vulgar way.
England's attitude in any crisis in
which we are involved will depend on
the honesty and fairness of our treat
i