The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-29
Intimation of Filibuster
Arouses Administra-
ton Leaders.
PUBLIC INTEREST
IN HOUSE DEBATE
Verbal Warfare Is Spirited on
Both Sides of Question, Party
Lines Being Disregarded.
Fight Against Repeal
Will Be Carried
to End.

washington. March 2s.-Reports that
an attempt will be made In the Senate
10 delay passage OF the bill to repeal
Panama toll exemption, aroused adj
.h'nistration leaders ;o-day, while gen
eral debate OF the issue In the House
continued to hold public interest
Inc animation that a prolonged fill
buster In the Senate had been de-
termined upon. now that the FIRST de-
cisire battle had been won by the
president. was reported to several SEN
atoriai supporters of the administra-
ton. and 1t was suggested that Sena-
tor OGorman, chairman OF tho Com
mlttce on 1nteroceanic Canals, already
was delaying consideration OF the
measure by his committee
Senator O'Gorman was asked when
he expected to call his committee to-
eether to consider the matter. which
already is before IT. During the day
senator Crawford. a member of the
committee, had returned, the chairman
having stated previously that he would
not take the issue up in committee I'M
til the South Dakota Senator reached
Washington.
There Will be no meeting OF the
committee" Senator OGorman assert
ed until the bill comes over from the
House. which probably will not be un-
til Wednesday, Senator'S Simmons and
Shields are absent now, and It would
Do uHitiT " stCl until tNttS iieilbct
had been given an opportunity to be-
heard"
Other Matters BEFORE Senate. ?
How lors the issue would be held
in committee, Senator OGormon would
not predict, declaring that there were
| ether important matters OF legislation
| to keep the Senate busy. such as anti
! trust and appropriation bills.
az heard several Democratic Sena-
| tors who probably Will vote 20 repeal
| the toll exemption. declare to-day that
| they did not look for a vote in the
Senate within six weeks" the New
| York Senator added.
Senntnr owen, Democratic member OF
the Canals Committee, who is leading
the preliminary light for repeal, as
serted tonight that any attempt to de-
| lay the bill in the Senate unduly would
be foolish He iutimated that deNbcr-
ate delay In the committee might re-
| suit in forcing the issue before the
! Senate on a motion to discharge tho
Canals Committee from consideration
of the subject.
ANY disposition to pettifog In this
matter" said Senator owen, obviously
| would be silly. AS far as Senator O'Gor-
man is concerned. think he Is disposed
TO delay now / personally expressed
| TO him yesterday wish that the ccnl-
mittce might be called to consider the
repeal bill, which l introduced two
weeks ago. II he does not take it up
promptly, can say this much. that de-
lay will serve no useful purpose.
Party Linbiilty, Not Asset.
Senator O'Gorman seems to take tho
! view that this controversy is n party
asset. instead of Il party liability. I
| think the result OF the vote in the
House yesterday will have some effect.
! inasmuch as 1t shows where the big
majority of the party stands"
Debate on the repeal bin brought big
crowds 10 the House galleries to-day,
although the climax there was reached
yesterday. when Speaker Clark, Ma
| jority Leader Underwood and other
! Democratic chieftains met defeat in an
! effort to prevent Limitation OF debate
on the issue. Hours before the gall
lery doors were opened to-day, the
corridors were crowded with specta-
tors, ana there were lively scrambles
for seats later. men and women par
| ticipntinE.
Two women engaged In a physical
encounter for possession of n seat lust
before the House convened 1t was a
stirring battle, the hats and coirures
of the feminine contestants being rude
~ disturbed before doorkeepers could
part them
The debate to-day was spirited on
both sides. party lines being disregard
ed. Representative Fitzgerald, who
joined Speaker Clark and Mr. Under
wood in the revolt against the Presi-
dent, was loudly cheered when he ad-
vanced to the we'll of the House to
attack the repeal. Mr.. Fitzgerald as
serted he had no sympathy for these
who condemned the President for his
views. but declared his firm convic-
ton that toll exemption for American
ships was essential
Verbal Warfare Ragcs.
The verbal warfare ragged through
out the day. holding the interest of tho
House membership as no debate has
FOR many day. In committee rooms
however, conferences of leaders were
In progress, where yesterdays division
In the Democratic ranks was discussed
Leaders OF the present minority on
the repeal issue, Democrats Republic
cans and ProgrcssiveS, already have
begun consideration OF what course
should be followed on the motion to
recommit the repeal bill Such q mo-
ton Will afford the minority their only
chance 10 get an amendment before
the House. Several compromise pro-
posals arc under consideration, but not
agreed upon as yet.
The motion TO reconsider Will be
made just prior to the Nnal vote OH
the repeal bill.
Democratic leaders VINO met defeat
yesterday were not at all cast down. !
They determined to-day TO carry the
fight to the end. and Speaker Clark is
preparing to close the debate, prob
ably next Tuesday. In opposition to the
Presidents plea for repeat. Repre-
sentatives Adamson and Covington Will
close the discussion for the adminis-
tration forces.
Iniccts New Phase.
Senator Reed, or Missouri, Injected n 4
new phase into the situation Iato to- Z
day by Introducing bin to repeal the
toll exemption on American ships, but