The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-28

American ships under existing treaties
 should notsbe surrendered. l Through this the opposing forces
 were drawn up to renew one Of the
 bitterest congressional fights of re-
 cent years, the hardest fought of Pres 1 ident Wilson's administration, it was said certainly.
 Overnight Conferences 1 Overnight conferences and strength
 ening of the battle lines brought no
 visible shift in position of either side
 in this contest in which party lines have been broken and democrats, re-
 puhlicans and progressives divided into | two camps under banners proclaiming
 either for or against repeal of the ex-
 emption.
 The defection of such democratic
 party leaders as Speaker Clark, Rep
 resentative Underwood Chairman Fitz. gerald of the appropriations commit
 tee and others from the Presidents s
 support served to make the fight more bitter.
 President Wilson received early reports 1 from his supporters at the White House.
 and was confident that his argument 1 that he was asking no man to change his opinions. but to correct a situation extant. would win the day. 1 The sudden adjournment of the Holse
 last night when only 55 minutes mora would have brought the first test vote,
 was variously interpreted Speaker Clark's vigorous statement de- nouncing the rule received various con- structions among close observers of the political field
 l Some congressman professed the view | that lines of the fight had taken the | aspect of a contest between the President
 and Speaker Clark.
 1 They expected the speaker might take
 the floor to personally lead the fight on
 the rule, or might reserve enough of his attack for the bill itself unless forced to
 the floor to defend himself. 1 The galleries filled early. I Mrs. Clark had a seat in the speaker s gallery. An outburst of applause and 1 shouting greeted Speaker Clark as he | ascended the rostrum promptly at noon. He stilled the tumult and the House rose as the chaplain prayed | Representative L'Engle of Florida, an
 invalid. was wheeled inc the chamber in his wheel chair, and placed jus. to the | right of the speakers rostrum. 1 The opening business was quickly dis posed of and the rule was brought up
 for the remaining 55 minutes debate. Asks Perfect Order l Speaker Clark warned the floor and
 galleries that 'an acrimonious and excit-
 ing debate like this" should call for per- | feet order.
 He had some difficulty in quieting the
 House, but finally succeeded. | Representative Sherwood. democrat of | Ohio. the first speaker, urged an amend ment to dismantle the Qualifications of
 the canal and absolutely neutralize It.
 The administration forces opened their 1 fight in a 12-minute speech by Repre- 1 sentative Adamson, who declared: Whoever fights this repeal now. not only fights the honest equality and do- nestle economy of his peoples equity,
 but he fights the administration on the | foreign policy of the government, and
 if disaster results he must take his place and share the odium and responsibility | for whatever disaster may come" l MT. Adamson declared himself ready
 and Chairman Henry conferred with
 Speaker Clark as to the drawing If the
 rule.
 1 He declared The approved it. l After more debate then Representative ] Underwood held whispered conference | with Speaker Clark at the desk and
 returned to his seat smiling. 1 As he did Representative Campbell, | eaGing the fight on the rule for the
 republicans, surprised the House by yield
 ing a dot to Representative Underwood.
 Burst Into Cheers | The House burst into cheers This con
 tinued vociferously for several minutes.
 When the House quieted down, Mr | Underwood began.
 q am opposed to this bill and nat l urally 1 am opposed to a rule for it's ! eonsideration,n he said. .'T regret that ] the bill is before the House. I hope it will be defeated. But the President hay ing laid this important question before
 tho Congress. l believe it should be con. sidered but considered in the proper way
 '.I have always endeavored to sustain my partys platform. l believe this planl,
 of the platform is right Believing this
 there is but one attitude I can take; this
 is to sustain the past course. This past I course is the position I adhere to, ex-
 pressed in my party's platform.
 "I regret that I differ with others" l "I regret that differ with the President ! of the United States and have to oppose i my colleagues here, but l say if we are | to make a mistake in this matter, let it
 be one mistake. Let us not turn our faces against the battery that made demo-
 cratic majority in this House first pos I sible.
 | "There are 50 democrats in this House 1 today whose seats would be occupied by | republicans if it were not for the demo- .cratic fight in the Sixtyfirst Congress against the power of cloture.' l The democratic leader contended for the 1 right of the minority to be heard and of- | fer amendments and said he would agree | to rule to make the bill in order. | With the bill thus before the House the gentlemen in charge could at any time move the previous question: and if he had a majority with him, could cut off ! debate," he said.
 q do not question your honesty, but | you are making a serious mistake if you adopt this rule, and I would not be worthy I of the commission you have gwen me as | your leader if l did not have the courage
 to stand here and tell you so,' he con- cluded.
 | Again Cheered l Representative Underwood was again cheered as he seated himself. This seem-
 ingly closed the debate against the rule cloture.
 | Representative Hardwick, democrat, of Georgia, then was recognized to close | debate for it's adoption. 'The gentleman from Alabama appeals a democratic platform" said Represen- tative Hardwick. 'I appeal to you to sup port democratic doctrine as 1t has been since the time of Jefferson, and this pro- vision which we propose to repeal Is no
 more democratic doctrine than if you | wrote a high protective tariff plank into a democratic platform" l Turning toward the speakers dais. and pointing toward Speaker Clark Mr. Hard- wick shoIIted.