The Sentinel=record., 1914-03-27

Washington, March 26.-The great est legislative battle yet undertaken by President Wilson's administra. ton was begun today with the ore. sentation of a special rule in the house to limit the debate and pro- hbt amendment of the administra- tions proposal to repeal the provis- ion of the Panama canal act allowing free passage to American ships. For two hours the rule alternately was defended and attacked in heated de- bate in the house. When adjourn ment came with an hour of debate on the rule left for tomorrow Speak CT Champ Clark, who before had not announced his position on the repeal policy issued a statement vigorously opposing the rule.
 Surely there is nothing sacred about this repeal bill and there is no reason for this mad rush." said the speaker. "I will not be party to ramming such a rule down the throats of Americans"
 impressed with the importance of measure which President Wilson has characterized as necessary to the conduct of his foreign policy, an extraordinary attendance of m1m- bers was on the floor when the rule was presented. Galleries and floor were crowded: throngs of spectators filled the seats in the galleries, oc- cupied the stairways and overfiowed into the corridors. The spectators came when the house met at II o'clock today and waited hour after hour as routine business delayed the tolls bill and the nervous tension grew more tense.
 The legislative way finally was cleared and at 1 o'clock Representa- tive Henry, chairman of the rules committee, presented the rule limit ing debate on the Sims bill to twen- ty hours and precluding amendment except for a single motion to recon init. Brief argument brought about an agreement for three hours debale on the rule and the preliminary skirmish of the greatest legislative struggle of a decade was on.
 To a house silently attentive Rep resentative Henry explained the rule and launched into defense or the repeal bill. Then followed an argu- ment in which the rule received llt- tie attention as compared Wluh the merits of the measure; and the presidents foreign policy the right of the American government to eXer- else control of the canal it has built and the economic advisability or lree tolls for American ships were drag ged back and forth in the dlscussloh'
 Most speakers dwelt on the foreign situation. The presidents adherents who spoke, all democrats, declares that under the treaty the Unlteu States had no moral right to pass US ships free. His opponents, repupii- cans and progressives, attacked the foreign policy of the administrator and denounced the proposed repe"i as an "abject surrender to 1rea' Britain" Throughout the deoaIe Maioritv Leader Underwood, TOT the first time opposing the admihlstra- tion, sat quietly in his seat hstehihs attentively to the arguments. kepuo- lican Leader Mann and ProgresSl'o Leader Murdock, both made aIsu' ments against the rule and the pih'
 Administration leaders tonight VIE orously sought to keep thelr suppl, '. CTS in line and to get recruits Ine opposition directed it's efforts to oo' taining votes to defeat a motloh ~, ~ close debate on the rule which "h' be made after an hours debate to, morrow and which if beaten Woulu allow amendment of the ruie' m in this situation opponents of the oii' will attempt to open the Sims bili to amendment and might lorce e", adoption of a compromise alne,u ment repeating the tolls section "lth out surrendering the contention ti"' the United States under the tte"''0' has the right to grant free toilS.
 Speaker Clark's statement toms n' encouraged opponents for the i'a, and Representative Sims, author VI the repeal bill. later issued a s'S'e ment declaring;
 q have heard there will be an V, ganized effort by enemies or the M Mau mlnlstration both in and out ol ''' democratic party to defeat the h" W tion of tue previous question on '"'