The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-28
House Adopts Special
Rule for Consideration
Of Repeal Measure.
BITTER PROTESTS
BY PARTY LEADERS
Triumph of Chief Executive Con-
sidered Most Notable by Rea-
son of Unusual Alignment
Within Democratic Ranks.
His Supporters Consider
Crucial Point Passed.

Washington. March o7--Presidcnu
Wilson to-day won the opening skirmsn
of the greatest Legislative battle or his
administration, when the House. over
bitter protests from recognized Demo-
cratic leaders and almost solid min
ority opposition, adopted a special rule
for the consideration of the bill re-
peaiins the free tolls provision OF the
Democratic Leader Underwood, RepuO-
!ican Leader Mann and Progressive
Leader Murdocli headed those lined up
against the administration. but the
House responded to the Presidents per-
sonal appeal for prompt consideration
Oh tne repeal hill as means Of sup
porting his administration foreign
policy.
Two votes demonstrated the Prcsi-
dents commanding influence with his
part in Congress. On the first test.
motion to end debate and preclude
amendment on the rule carried by a
adopted 200 to 112.
NothinS to compare with the sceno
TO-DAY had occurred in the House since
years ago. In vain. Representative I'm
dcrwocd took the floor and urged his
co,ieasmss to vote against the rule. The
! tening to three hours o- pass.onate
argument, swung into the Presidents
column. l99 OF them voting to prevent
while but 30 followed the leaders in
Joining with the minority in opposr-
iion.
Crucial Point Passed.
Tonight administration supporters
tGnsiuered the crucial point passed, and
olatantly predicted the passage Of the
repeal itself on Tuesday or Wednes-
several of the twenty hours allowed
under the rule for debate had been
consumed when the House adjourned,
ana with the spcechmaking continuing
without Interruption, 1t was thought
IN, me final vote could be reached late
The roll call was taken in silence, the
| crowded floor and galleries tense with
excitement. after an hour of debate.
been crowded and the galleries filled 10
overiiowing. Following the announce
mem imeht or speaker Clark last night
pearcd. and every influence available
was brought TO bear on doubtful ones
AS result, when the struggle began
pitch.
With representative Underwood.
TltZScraid. on the minority side. the
Democratic majority for the time re-
ffognized ns leaders Representative
Henry. chairman on Rules: Adamson
chairman of the Interstate and Foreign.
Commerce Committee; Palmer of Penn
Icy. Of Kentucky. and other promi-
nent figures supporting the Presidents
Only eight Republicans joined with
the majority in support of the admin
istrations program, but leaders on both
SIDES tonight conceded that many Re-
publicans who voted against the pre-
liminary administration plans you'd
vote, vote eventually for the repeal. The
House, led by Representative Murdocil,
or Kansas. was aligned against the
Triumph Most Notable.
| President Wilson'S triumph was con-
sidered most notable by the rank and
hle OF all parties because of the un-
/ 81 of q Ii, A..
Democratic ranks Two men who had
sought with him the presidential nomi-
nation at the hands of the party-one
the Speaker of the House. the other
the floor leader OF the dominant party
were openly and actively arrayed
he did not take the floor to-day. had
| issued his eleventh. hour attack upon
the plan TO limit debate and announced
that he would speak against the repeal
bill on Tuesday.
Representative Underwood. who has
been in the open against the President
the rule and ater delivered issn an attaek
on President Wilson'S policy. dcnounc-
Ing the repeal of the toll exemption
the President 10 be wrong in his con-
clusion that exemption is in violation
OF the Hay Pauncefote treaty. Other
Democratic chieftains. among them
Representatives kitchin. OF North
Carolina, broke with the President. Yet.
in the face OF this opposition from
their voices to have the Democrats OF
the House follow them, the President
won within the party membership by
Democrats Against Administration.
Democrats who voted against tho
previous question in rule, and thus
against the administration. were:
Aiken. Brockson, Broussard. Bruner.
Caraway. Carew. Conry. Dale. Deitrick,
pifsnderfsr Iofs 4riso, DGnohos, pooling. pore
Finley, Fitzgerald. Grilnan, Goulden
Graham Qllinois). Griffin. Harrison,
Lee CPennsylvania). LEngle Logue.
Mitchell. Morgan uouislana). Murray
tMassachusetts). Murray (Oklahoma).
0'Leary; 0,shannessy. Patten tNew
wood, Stone. Taylor (Arkansas). Tay-
lor (Colorado). Thomas. Underwood,
Williams. Wingo and Speaker Clark.
Carolina, voted against the previous
question on the roll call, but changed
his vote to present" just before tho
Republicans who voted for the pre-
vious question We're: Bartholdt, Brown
tWisconsin). Gardner. (Massachusetts,.
>vens (Minnesota)--total, 7.
While the House was engaged In the
initial and decisive struggic Of the
conflict, the CONTROVERSY was the me-
dium OF enlivening discussion In the
Senate. Senator Owen in a speech
Voicfng the Presidents position, de-
been supported by n majority of the
Democrats In Congress ana pleaded for
his colleagues to uphold the honor oc
the nation. Senator James. and se:,a
tor O'Gorman, the latter leading tho
revolt against the President In tho up
per house. engaged in n stirring col-
loquy. white senator Gallnser intro
duced a resolution as a substitute ror
one introduced Yesterday by Sonatnr<7