The Washington times., 1914-06-17
SALE OF BIG SHIPS
IS CONSIDERED Off
Naval Bill Sent Back to Confer
ence After House Has No
Quorum Night Session.

The naval appropriation bill went
back to conference today with the
House confereeS instructed TO further
insist upon their disagreement TO the
Senate amendment authorizing the sale
of the battleships Idaho and Mississippi
and the use of the funds derived TO
build a new dresdnought
Opposition which forced the House
into n protracted night session-because
Of the lack of A quorum-finally caused
Congressman Psdgett to withdraw his
ate amendment. Further insistence Was
then demanded and the plans for the
sale of the two battleships are consider
ed as off.
The House had nc. quorum for four
hours last night while awaiting dispo-
sition of the question, which arose dur
ing consideration of the conference re-
port on the naval bill. At 9 O'Clock
eighteen shy of a quorum were recorded
and the tired 200 members present were
relieved when Congressman Hamilton
OF Michigan struck UP a tune My Old
Kentucky Home" He soon gathered
ABOUT him a few of the House song
sters-Byrnes of South Carolina, Lo-
beck Of Nebraska, Gambler of Mississip-
pi, Murray of Oklahoma and others, and
a dozen popular airs regaled the House
and galleries. The entire asseInblage
stood up when America" was sung.
Back to Conference.
About this time quorum arrived,
the naval bill was sent back to confer
ence and fhe House managers were told
to continue to disagree to the proposal
10 Sell the two battleships, for which
Greece is understood TO be a would
be Purchaser.
The House wrangled until late after
noon on the disputed items in the naval
HfldVat accounting
amendments and rejecting others. 1t
had been voted early today to send
the bill back to conference. The pro-
vision authorizing the sale of the Mis-
sissippi and Idaho was finally reached
and Mr.. Padgett proposed two Tours
debate, TO be divided between the lit
tie nav and big navy factions.
Mr.. Humphrey, of Washington, re-
fused unanimous consent for extended
debate, observing:
why should we stay here tonight.
We are going to be here all summer.
You Democrats have got your orders. |
and we've got to stay"
Brings No Quorum Point.
Mr.. Mann asserted that unanimous ]
consent wasn't necessary to have two |
hours of debate. and IL Mr.. Padgett |
and Mr.. Witherspoon. representing the
contendins factions. obtained recogni-
ton each might hold the floor for an |
hour. Speaker Clark so held, and MIR. 1
Witherspoon launched into an argu-
nent against the sale of the two ships |
and the building of new dreadnougnt
with the funds derived.
The indignant Mr.. Humphrey soon
made point OF no quorum. There were i
narrow votes. Meanwhile, Mr. Hum |
phrey put on his hat, and left the 4
chamber, but his point of QuorJlrnless |
House kept that body in session until /
directed to bring in absentees, and he /
Was especially dilIgent in his seGrch l
for Mr.. Humphrey. who wasn't 10
Gated
quorum, the House lharked back to fill
buster days. Members made mock |
-peeches. swapped stories and proGded |
he perspirfng sergeant-at-arms who /
rounded UP absentees one by one.
Mr.. Weaver of Oklahoma was called |
. the chair and declined to recognize 4
Mr.. Johnson. of Washington. VINO in
sted upon making q speech. which was
card above the points of order raised |
by dozen playful Democrats.
Lecture Is Expected.
shortly before o'clock Chairman 1
rsdrett privately announced that he
ould not insist upon a concurrence in
ne Senate amendment concerning the II
Uo battlesh!ps. but the hunt for a
guoTunl continued. It had been apparent
IN dsv that a. bare quorum is in Wash
7Ston and the House membership is II
zcheduIed for lecture from the leaders
Glowing the performance tonight. II
Prior to the legislative snarl. the
House instructed its conferses to insist
- on their disagreement TO the Senate
-nendment authorizing new 100000
Try dock at Norfolk. II accepted the
nate amendment authorizing the Sec
otary of the Navy to make a six
ear lease of a privately owned dry
ock. to be constructed at Hunters II
oint Cal. and the House also ac-
spted the amendment increasing The
nit OF cost of the Pearl Harbor dry
lock.
other controverted items OF more /