The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-24
President Hopes for Success
II Bill Is Quickly
Considered.
HE CHARGES A FILIBUSTER
Humphreys Says Democrats,
Dictated To, Obey Orders.
Like SchOOlbOys.


that danger for the repeal Of the clause
in the Panama Canal bill exemptins
American coastw.se vessels from tolls
lies chiefly In delaying Its consideration
by Congress. President Wilson will centre
his energies upon bringing about an early
test Of strength on the Issue In the House.
The President regards the Fastening OF
thu vote as the most important phase OF
the task that confronts the Administra-
ton leaders in the fight which IL to begin
this week.
Reports from House leaders are that the
opposition to tho Administrations pro-
gramme 10 gathering strength each DAY.
The President Is convinced that oppo-
nents Of the repeal are delaying the pas
san of the river and harbor appropria-
ton bill as a means Of staving OF test
Of strength on the tolls question. He re-
yards this as a flibuster and believes that
=, those who side with him in the House
should see that this weapon Ii not used
TOO extensively by the opposition.
The position OF Speaker Clark IL caus-
ing grave concern to the Administration
leaders. Mr. Clark voted for the remis-
sion of tolls when the act was passed In
1918.
Thus far he has made no definite an
nouncement as to the policy he will pur-
sue in the present exigency. 1t 10 gem
orally understood that the Speaker would
not be disappointed IL the r'oeal bill
failed. but II has been = question OF much
doubt whether or not he will openly op-
pose the President with anything stronger
than his single vote.
want Clark to Assert Himself.
The anti-Admln stration Dem Gratis real
ice that in Representative Underwood they
have a powerful aid. but they figure that
II Speaker Clark can be urged to stinen
his backbone and come squareiy out in
opposition to the President 1t Will ma
terially strengthen their cause.
Pressure II even now being brought TO
bear on the Speaker TO address the House
In opposition to repeal. Should he enlist
with the opposition as fighting entity
his Announcement Is expected materially
to help the free tolls" cause.
Notwithstanding the concern shown by
Administration leaders over the delay In
Congress In, taking UP the tolls question,
they prOfess to have q safe majority In
the House. Their canvass assures them
now, they assert, a majority OF at least
seventy-nv but they are plainly worried
over the possibility OF some members
changing front.
In the Senate the margin 10 narrow and
me issue may be determined by one or
two votes.
In the House the President has a for
mldable list OF Democratic leaders against
him. They include Oscar w Underwood.
Representative Kitchin Of North Carolina,
who will succeed Mr.. Underwood as cap
tain of the Democratic forces In the
House: Representative Fitzgerald OF
New York. chairman OF the powerful APP
preparations Committee: Representatives
49, I.,. a..
Congressional Committee. and Patton OF
New York and possibly Speaker Chang
Clark.
These veteran leaders will have the sup
port also OF the oldest and most expert
enced Republicans in the House. including
James X. Mann of Illinois.
Reports that President Wilson Is en-
deay oring TO pass the repeal bill through
,he House by "coercive' methods formed
the subject OF lively debate in tina
body to-day.
Representative Humphreys OF Washing
Ton, a Republican started the trouble. III
said II was common report In the Hous'
that the President had suggested that tn
debate on the repeal bill should be- lin
tied and that Mr.. Wilson had made tn
charge that q hlibuster had been organ
ICED against the river and harbor bill will
n view to delaying action on the repea
measure.
ut seems that the President 10 still la
boring under the Impression that he
dealing with lot OF schoolboys, and fror
the actions on that side that impressio
Is well founded" said Mr. Humphreys.
at has come TO the point where II seem
Impossible for the House to do anythtn
without Instructions FIRST coming from tn
other end of the avenue. day or Nv
ago It was generally understood that In
structions were circulated In the Hous
that we must have only fifteen hour
debate"
bherley Mskcs strong Denial.
Representative Sherley of Kentucky II
Ierrupted Mr. Humphreys TO say
"My name was connected with III
statement that the President had throus
me requested that there should be bt
ffteen hours debate on the canal toll
bill There is not the slightest scintili
If truth in that report"
'The statement has hcen made by
member OF this House that the PresideI
asked him to oppose more than iftes
hours debate. and | have no doubt OF u
truth OF the statement" interrupted Rel
resentative Mann OF Illinois. the Repul
llcan leader
81 want to know whether or not thel
Is any truth In the statement that Il
do h. thA