The Washington herald., 1914-03-27

ana against the administration, and upon
that side he should bravely take his
stand and not endeavor to hide behind q
technical quibble on rules"
Are Not Disturbed.
Administration leaders denied last night
that they were disturbed lest the Clark
statement and the Henry reply might
tear the votes of a number Of Democrats
away from the real issue involved in the
tolls fight controversy between these
two leaders, whose personal political IN
terests have not followed parallel lines
for more than three years, would add
greatly to the uncertainty of the situa-
ton as far as the result of the tolls nght
Chairman Adamson. OF the Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee, ana
who has charge Of the Sims bill, de-
clined to comment directly on Speaker
Clark's statement or attitude. As TO the
nerits OF the rule. he said:
TT should be remembered that the
clause sxempting American ships in the
cosstwise trade from paying tolls in the
canal was written into the Panama act
over the protest Of the committee and
on two hours debate, after nine years
effort by the shipping monopoly through
the most Infamous lobby the American
Congress ever has felt.
The same arguments which favor un-
limited power to amend in other bills do
not apply to this bill. There Is no an
slogy between the Sims bill and a tarin
measure which should be read over for
amendment There is nothing to amend
in the Sims bill. 1t is a question that
should be answered either yes or no. "
Time Enough for Merits.
Representative Swager Sheriey, OF Ken
lucky, when shown Speaker Clarks state
ment, said:
The rule Is neither unfair nor unusual
With three hours for debate on the rule
itself and twenty on the bill, ample time
IL given to present every phase OF the
question The proposition contained in
the Sims bill is ample. 1t involves the
one question of the repeal OF the two
paragraphs in the canal toll act that per-
nit exemption in favor Of American
ships. II the merits of the respective
sides cannot be presented in twenty-three
hours they never can be. The size Of the
House, together with the many matters
that must be acted upon during each
session. make requisite rules limiting de-
bate. No party has ever controlled the
House and no party can without enforc-
ing cloture rules.
The Democratic party has repeatedly
since Mr.. Clark has been Speaker adopted
rules limiting debate on matters of first
magnitude. AS this matter presents but
one fundamental question, the need for
unlimited right to amend does not exist,
and under the terms of the rule itself,
as well as the rules Of the House, the
right is afforded to those in opposition
to offer on a motion to recommit an
Affirmative and substantive proposition.
THE character of this rule has been
known for many days by every one at all
familiar with what was happening in
the House. The press has repeatedly car
ried correct statements touching II. II
is remarkable, to say the least, that
the Speaker should have felt the need
of voicing his protest only after the rule
was introduced and the lines Of battle
has been drawn. Those of us who be-
lieve in the President and believe IN up
holding rather than tearing down. a
Democratic administration will not be
diverted from the accomplishment Of a
great result in the interest of our ma
tion's honor by an eleventh-nour protest
against q rule that has many Democratic
precedents and which is fair and justi-
fable according to all orderly parliamen-
tary procedure in the House, Particularly
at the instance of those who now, for the
first time, show that they are opposed
to the repeal"
Speakers Attitude Forecast.
Administration leaders declared last
night that the Clark statement would
make no difference as far as they were
concerned. Because Of the reluctance
with which the Speaker has committed
himself, they declared, his attitude had
been accurately forecast and discounted.
They expressed the belief. privately, that
the Speaker is actuated to a great extent
by considerations of his personal political
fortunes. Several of his friends dep
recated his stand, and one man who had
strongly supported him during the pre-