The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-27
F FIGHTING LIMIT.
ONDEBATEOv[R
EXEMP ton
Special Rule Proposed to Bar
Amendments
SPEAKER CLARK OPPOSED
Presiding Officer of the House Can
See No Reason for "This
Mad Rush

Washington, March 26.-The great
est legislative battle yet undertaken
by President Wilson's administration
was begun yesterday with the presen-
tation OF a special rule in the House
to limit debate and prohibit amend
ments on the administrations propo-
sal to repeal the provision of the Pan
ANA canal act allowing free passage
to American ships For two hours
the rule was alternately defended
ed and attacked in heated debate in
the House. When adjournment came
with an hour of debate on the rule
left for today. Speaker Champ Clark,
who has not yet announced his posi-
ton on the repeal policy, issued
statement vigorously opposing the
rule.
Surely there is nothing sacred
abou. this repeal bill and there is no
reason for this mad rush." said speak
ers statement. Il will not be a par
ty to ramming such a rule down the
threats of members" Impressed with
the Importance of measure which
President Wilson has characterized
as necessary 10 the conduct of his adj
ministration's foreign policy, an ex
raordinary attendance of members
vas on the floor when the rule was
presented. Spectators filled the gal
leries. occupied the stairways and ov-
er1owed into the corridors.
The House met at IL O'Clock yester
day morning. but routine business de-
layed the tolls bill for hours. The
legislative way finally was cleared
and at 4 o'clock Representative Hen
ry, chairman OF the rules committee
presented the rule limiting debate on
the Sims bill to 90 hours and preclud
ing amendment except for single
motion to recommit. Brief argu
ment for three hours OF debate on
the rule, and the preliminary shrm-
ish of the greatest legislative strug-
gle of decade was on. Representa-
tive Henry, to a House silently atten.
tive. explained the rule and launched
into a defense of the repeal bill.
The foreign situation was the parti
cular subject for most of the speak
ers. The presidents adherents who
spoke, all democrats. declared that
under the treaty the United States
had no moral right to pass its ships
free. His opponents. republicans and
progressive, attacked the foreign
policy of the administration and de
nounced the proposed repeal, rs an
"abject surrender TO Great Britain"
Throughout the discussion, Majority
Leader Underwood. for the first time
opposing the administration, sat list
ening attentively TO the argument.
Republican Leader Mann and Pro-
gressive Leader Murdoch both made
arguments against the rule and the
bill.
The administration leaders last
night vigorously sought to keep their
supporters in line and to secure re
cruits. The opposition directed their
efforts to securing votes to defeat
motion to close debate on the rule
which will be made after an hours de
bate today, and which. If beaten,
would allow the amendment of the
rule. In this situation the opponents
of the bill would attempt to open the
Sims bill TO amendment and might Sc
cure the adoption Of compromise
amendment repeating the tolls sec
ton without surrendering the conten-
ton that the United States under the
treaties has the right to grant free
tolls.