The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-27
Special Rule Limiting Debate
Discussed by Friends and
Foes of Administration;
Vote to Be Taken Today.
SPEAKER CLARK is
WITH OPPOSITION
Chairman Sims Issues Strong
Statement; President Viii
son Endeavors to Con-
vince Callers.

WASHINGTON, March 26.-The
latest legislative battle begun by Presi-
dent Wilson S administration was be-
gun tonight by the introduction of a.
special rule in the house to limit de-
bate and prohibit amendment on the
administration Is proposal to repeal the
provision OF the Panama canal act al
lowing free passage to American ships.
For two hours the rule was alternately
defended and attacked in heated de-
bate in the house. When adjournment
| came, with an hour Of debate on the
rule left for tomorrow, Speaker Champ
Clark, who had not yet announced his
position on the repeal policy issued a
statement vigorously opposing the rule.
Speakers Position.
"Surely there is nothing sacred
about this repeal bill and there is no
reason for this mad rush, Speaker
Clark said III his statement ~ will
not be party to rushing the rule down
| the tbroats of members
Impressed with the Importance of
measure which President Wilson has
characterized as necessary to the con
| duct OF his foreign relations policy, an
! extraordinary attendance of members
was on the floor when the rule was
presented. Galleries and floor were
crowded. Throngs of spectators
| crowded the starways and overflowed
into the corridors. TIE spectators came
when the house met at II O'Clock this
morning, as routine business DELAYED
| the tolls bill, and the nervous tension
| on the floor grew more pronounced.
Henry Presents Rule.
The legislative way finally was
cleared and at clock Representative
| Henry. chairman of the rules commit
tee, presented the rule limiting debate
on the Sims bill to twenty hours. and
precludlng amendment except for a sin.
gle motion to recommit.
Brief argument brought about an
agreement Tor three hours debate on
the rule, and The preliminary skirmish
OF the greatest legislative struggle of a
decade was on.
Representative Henry, to a house 81.
lently attentive, explained the rule and
launched into a defense Of the repeal
bill, Then followed an argument in
which the rule received little attention,
as compared with the merits of the
policy, the right of the American gov
ernment to exercise control of the canal
1T has built and the economic advis-
ability of free tolls for American ships
were dragged back and forth into tho
discussion.
Policy Under Fire.
The foreign situation was the par
ticular subject for most of the speak
ers. The presidents s adherents who
spoke. all Democrats, asserted that
under the treaty the United States had
no moral right to pass its ships free.
His opponents, Republicans and Pro
Of the administration, and denounced
the proposed repeal as an "abject sur
render 10 Great Britain, -
Throughout the discussion Majority
Leader Underwood, for the first time
opposing the administration, sat quietly
Republican Leader Mann and Progress
sive Leader Murdock both made argu-
ments against the rule and the bill
Administration leaders tonight vigor-
ously sought to keep their supporters in
line and to obtain recruits. The opposi-
tl0n directed thclr e1IorlS 10 procuring
votes TO defeat motion to close de-
bate on the rule, which will be made
after an hours debate tomorrow, and
which if beaten would allow the amend
ment of the rule. In this situation the
opponents of tho bill would attempt
to open the Sims bill to amendment and
might secure the adoption of COM
promise amendment, repeating the tolls
section. without surrendering the con-
tention that the United States under
the treaties has the right to grant free
tolls,
Sims Issues Statement.
Speaker Clark IS statement tonight en-
courared the opponents of the rule, and
Representative Sims, author of the re-
peal bill, later issued statement de-
claring:
IT have heard that there will be an
orca nized effort by enemies OF the admin
istratlon, both In and out or the Demo
cratic party, TO defeat the motion for the
nraSio,is question on the rule tomorrow.
The object OF this would be simply TO al
low embarrassing amendments to be Of
fered to the bill A vote against the
previous question will be practically
vote against the bill
Both sides displayed great activity
throughout the evening. preparing Tor the
rooncning Of the struggle tomorrow.
Sneaker Clark's statement read:
II am dead against the rule on the
tolls question and Intend TO vote against