The Washington herald., 1914-04-05
PREVENTION OF
FILIBUSTER aim
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i IklUUUlLH HlWI
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difficulty In, delaying committee action
| beyond a reasonable length OF time, for
the reason that several members Of his
committee who are disposed to vote
against the repeal, still will vote with
the Presidents supporters to get the
bill into the Senate from committee.
Senator Hoke Smith, Of Georgia, yes.
terday served notice on the opponent,
of the repeal proposal that they would
have to fight for the right to filibuster
against the bill in the Senate.
WIN Offer Rules Amendment.
Senator Smith, who In one Of the ad-
ministration leaders in the fight. an
nounced he will offer an amenoment 70
the rules which will require Senators. to
discuss pending measures during debate
on the floor. or at least to announce.
when called to account, that they are
conscientiously and In good faith en-
deavoring to discuss the measure before
the Senate.
While this rule unquestionably win be
attacked as form of cloture by oppon-
ents OF the repeal, and stands little hope
of adoption at the present stage. IL Is
interesting as Indicating a belief on the
part of Senator Smith. at least, that
opponents of the President are deter
mined to resort to a long filibuster. IL ne
cessary, to defeat the bill.
The hope that a prolonged debate may
aid opponents of repeal Is promised on
the belief that ultimately the country will
become sufficiently infiamed by the ILL
grounded charge OF subservience to Eng
land, that bona fide pressure will be
brought to bear on members of the Sem
ate and turn the promised victory for
the President into defeat
Think Long Debate Favorable.
Administration leaders have no fear of
this course Of reasoning. They declare
that the longer the debate. the broader
win be the opportunity offered to drive
home in the minds OF the people the abso
lutte refutRtion OF the sensational lingo"
arguments of the opposition. On the
other hand. desirous Of getting through
the Presidents complete legislative pro-
gram for this session as early as possible
and adjourning not later than July /. they
do not relish the prospect of a prolonged
filibuster on the tolls question.
II Is admitted IL virtually would be i'm
possible to pass the Smith proposed
amendment in the Senate, as 1t would be
subjected to a real hlibuster and would
delay the final issue of the tolls contrv
versy that much longer. II is not believed
that Senator Smith will press his pro-
posed amendment His statement yester-
day was as follows:
Notice Is hereby given that ! will
offer an amendment TO Rule xix, adding
which will provide that when
a measure is pending before the Senate.
debate by Senators shall be limited to a
of the pending measure. and
that a Senator violating this rule when
called TO order shall not proceed further
without stating that he in good faith Is
TO discuss the measure be-
fore the Senate"
Would Prevent Rancor.
The rancor and lack of dignity that
have marked much of the debate on the
repeal In the Senate. and the numerous
attacks upon President Wilson.
have aroused a number of Senators to
the point of supporting proposed
to the rules Of the Senate
which Senator Overman introduced yes
terday. The proposed amendment reads:
mo Senator In debate shall. directly
or indirectly. by any form OF words. i'm
pute to another Senator or to other Sena-
lOEb COnuuCl OT unOllNCs uHNOTlIls
or unbecoming a Senator. or in any
manner refer unexpectedly or offen-
sively to the President of the United
States or to the Vice President"
The sporadic debate on the repeal con-
troversy SO far has been marked by
OF sensational charges of sur
render to Great Britain on the part of
the administration. OIL party treachery
and similar charges all Of a nature to
infiame unthinking people and to turn
the discussion of the controversy from
the merits of the proposal. In addition,
Senators hostile to the President, have
into the Congressional Record
attacks on the President from
irresponsible and unknown persons let
ters which have no weight Of reason or
logic, and which hav, had a tendency
greatly to lower the prestige of the
Senate.
Blow at Ship Interests.
The systematic attempt of the ship in
terests and other influences behind the
fight against the repeal of the free tolls
clause to inculcate in the minds of the
people the idea that the Carnegie Founda-
ton for International Peace is the NOV
ing factor behind the proposal to live up
to the treaty obligations of this country,
received another blow yesterday in the
Senate.
Prof. Emery Johnston. of the Univer-
sity OF Pennsylvania. former special COM |
missioner on canal tolls and traffic under |
the appointment OF President Taft. was |
from a charge that while act |
Ing in that capacity he accepted pay
from the Carnegie Peace Foundation for |
addresses made in behalf of the propa- |
ganda of that organization.
A letter from Prof. Johnston to Sem |
ator Hoke Smith, of Georgia. denying |
any past or present connection with the |
Carnegie organization was read. The let |
ter contained this statement:
81 have made no addresses for the |
Peace Foundation. nor have I |
been in any way connected with the in
stitution. / made no addresses for pay
while in the employ of the United States
Indeed. I have received no
pay for any addresses 1 have given in /
1 number of years"
Was Quoted ErroncousIy.
Senator Smith explained that a Wash
ngton morning paper a few days ago /
lad enormously quoted him as admitting
he charge that Prof. Johnston had re-
,eived pay for peace lectures.
He might have made addresses for