Evening journal., 1914-03-28
HOUSE FIGHT
GROWS bitter
OVER Repeater
Jubilantly Confident, Wilson
Men Garry Tolls ReSOlu-
ton Direct to Allies"
CLARK TO STORM
IN CLOSING Speech
BY BOND p. GEDDES


staff Correspondent The United Press.
WASHINGTON. March 2S.-The
House today plunged into an all-day
war of words over the Panama tolls
exemption repeal. Lines of both fac
tions we're frightened after the pre-
liminary grapple yesterday which
both sides practically accepted as
spellinb certain ultimate victory for
the President, by passage of the Sims
repeal resolution.
Jubiliantly confident. the Presidents
supporters today carried the fight di-
rect to the "allies" of Democrats,
Republicans and Progressives. Fac
ing almost certain defeat, the Oppo-
sition contested every inch of the
verbal battlefield
Smouldering flames of the schism
within the Democracy centering
about Speaker Clark's break with
the President on the tolls issue,
threatened momentarily TO break
forth with increased violence.
Increased bitterness was evident.
The tension was at high pitch, with
only a single Outburst necessary to
throw the House into a turmoil Of vio-
lent recrimination.
Battle campaigns were laid by
both sides at councils of war" be-
fore the House convened. It was
expected that the twenty hours de-
bate allowed would terminate late
Tuesday afternoon. The Presidents
managers attempted to rush through
the debate to a vote Tuesday, to pre-
vent a postpOnement until Thursday
over Calendar Wednesday,"
AS a dramatic climax and effort to
storm" the House, the opposition
planned to have Speaker Clark make
the closing speech Tuesday. The pre-
sident's steersmen knew of and plan
ned against this move. They profes-
sed confidence that such a move by
the speaker would solidify, rather
than ALLEVIATE. Democrats who voted
| yesterday with the President.
/ That the repeal resolution would
have between SO to so majority on
the final roli-call. instead Of the tes
vote yesterday. was predicted with
assurance by the repeal advocates.
Among the rank and file Of the
House, the struggle today centeret
upon attempts OF probably 200 mem
bers to make speeches of an houl
each in the 16 hours of debate re.
naming. Scores got in the Congress
ional Record by the leave to print
! privilege canned speeches iol
home consumption"
While the debate today consisted
| largely of "set" speeches, interest did
not wane In no session since the
: Democratic control OF congress was
| there such continuous, intense inter
est in the debate.
More members were in their seats
weighing arguments than have at
tended any debates since the old Can
non rule fight. The speechmaking was
not in the usual perfunctOry style
TO empty seats in House and CALLER
les. Increased public interest was
evidenced by the packed crowds in the
galleries. The percentage of womer
spectators caused remark.
/ Although much of the heavy artii
lery" of both factions, including Rep
resentatives Adamson, Underwood
Sims and Palmer, had delivered theiI
orations, the program today haC
names OF prominent and veteran lead
ers of all parties.
Behind the scenes speculation rag
ed regarding the outcome Of the
1 Clark Wilson feud, upon the persona
fortunes of the Speaker and the Pres
ident and upon the Democratic party
at large Many members, including
Democrats, predicted that the spill
might result either in defeat of th'
speaker for reelection as speaker
of the next House. Clark's friends
however, insisted he had struck th'
popular chord and would enhance hi
popularity in the House and amonl
the American people.
The tenor of Clark's speech wa
expected to decide whether open wa
would be declared by the White Hous
upon the speaker or whether his op
position would be overlooked, as al
honest difference of opinion, with |
view to healing the breach in the fu
ture to solidify the party.