New-York tribune., 1914-03-30
Sims Bill Expected to Pass
Tomorrow, Despite
Clark Onslaught.
DEMOCRATIC HARMONY
DEPENDS ON SPEECH
If Speaker Criticises AdminiStra-
tion Open Breach Is EX-
pected in House.
From The Tribune Bureau.l

tfIOm Inc IFlulue bureau
Washington, March 29.--That the ad-
minstration tolls repeal bill will pass
the House Tuesday night or Wednesday
by majority Of sixty votes. despite
the terrific verbal onslaught Speaker
Clark intends 10 make against the
measure in closing the debate. Is the
estimate tonight of the Presidents
supporters.
Representatives Covington, Of Mary
land, and Bell, Of Georgia, the latter
Democratic whip Of the House, have
made d systematic canvass Of that
body and have reported to other admin
istration leaders that the repeal bill is
safe. While the special rule carried by
a majority Of only 81, it is asserted by
those who have been counting noses
that the repeal majority Will be
about double that figure. The explana-
tion given is that many Of the advo-
Gates Of repeal voted against the spe-
clal rule, having prejudice against
special rules Of all kinds.
Gag rule" is a tender subject with
members who fought "Cannonism" In
the past. and House members OF the
type Of Representative Lenroot. of Wis
consin. while favoring repeal. were un-
willing TO see the bill considered under
a rule shutting off debate and oppor-
tunity of amendment.
With administration forces confident
Of their success on the final rollcall,
there is apprehension. nevertheless. In
Democratic ranks over the forthcoming
speech Of Speaker Champ Clark. The
continuance Of Democratic harmony in
the House is dependent largely on what
the Speaker does or does not say. If
he throws down the gauntlet 10 the
administration and critcises the Presi-
dent, the Secretary Of State and the
administration supporters in general,
there will remain an open breach be-
tween the Wilson and Clark factions in
the House. 1t may involve the entire
administration.
May Be Only Little Row.
If the Speaker seeks only to justify
his position against the rule and the
repeal bill, accreditinG similar honesty
Il L.
Democratic family row will be Of incon
sequential character and members Will
concern themselves mainly looking out
for their own interests when the tolls
repeal proposal is made an issue at the
polls.
That il will be difficult for the
Speaker to restrain himself on Tues
day is admitted by his close advisers.
He has been singled out for criticism
among the House leaders who are op-
posing the President. The speaker has
been accused OF "treachery" TO the ad-
ministration, while Mr.. Underwood, Mr..
Fitzgerald, Mr.. kitchin and others
have been recorded generally as in
opposition" TO the President.
The newspaper attacks upon the
Speaker are known to have nettied
both Mr.. Clark and his friends. Be
cause Of the Baltimore convention in
cident Mr.. Clark's opposition TO repeal
has been interpreted in some quarters
as retaliation for the loss Of the nom
ination, and there have been direct
charges of playing petty politics and
seeking party advantage" Not only
have some newspapers made these
charges, but Representative Hard
wick's speech, intimating practically
the same thing, left, it is said, bad
taste in the mouth of the Speakers ad-
mirers and in the circumstances il will
he difficult, many believe, for Mr.. Clark
Continued on fourth page. first column.
Al I'M COTTMD