New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-29
FITZGERALD LEADS
in TOLLS DEBATE
New Yorker Praised for
Speech Taking Issue with
Administration.
CLARK EXPECTED TO
QUOTE BRYAN'S WORDS
Speaker May Use Harrisburg
Speech Denounciug Party
Traitors.
lrrcn rh. rrIhune nurean. ]

rFrorn The Tribune Bureau
Washington, March 2S.-with abated
vigor the House to-day continued its
debate on the tolls repeal bill, but fur
nished none Of the thrills afforded yes
tcrday. when the special rule was the
subject of peppery attack and counter
attack. No further oratorical fireworks
are expected until Speaker Champ
Clark takes the floor on Tuesday TO
answer the charges that he has been
treacherous to the administration in
opposing repeal and the rule for its
consideration.
Set speeches, delivered in orderly
fashion and with little interruption, oe-
cupied six hours OF time to-day. Rep
resentative Fitzgerald. Of New York a
Democratic leader, made the principal
argument against repeal Representa-
tive Knowland. a California Republic
can. assailed the administration for its
surrender TO Great Britain" and ac-
claimed Sir Edward Grey as the
greatest diplomat Of the age"
Representative Stevens, of Minnesota,
Republican on the Interstate Commerce
Committee led the days fight in sup
port OF the bill
The Speakers attitude toward the
administration programme is still the
chief topic Of cloakroom and corridor
conversation among House members,
and his motives. which he keeps to
himself. are puzzling. The critics and
aukewarm supporters of Speaker Clark
see in his tactics a play for political
ADVANTAGE, with an eye on 1915.
Deep seated resentment of the treat
ment he received at Baltimore is re-
cited as an extenuating circumstance
in discussions of his present attitude
Closer friends of the Speaker say, how
ever, that his fight against the admin
iJtration has no political significance
Nehd In the end will have little political
effect. either for or against Mr.. Clark.
They recall that during the twenty
wears Of his service in the House he
has been a consistent advocate of ex-
tended debate and foe Of all special
rules.
Speaker Has Proved Consistent.
AS a Democrat in the ranks and later
as leader Of the minority, Mr.. Clark
made many speeches against legislation
by special rule. Were he TO take diff
ferent position to-day, it is declared in
his behalf, the words of the past would
arise to confound him.
Another Clark hobby has been sup
port of the party platform, and il is on
this that he will predicate his opposi-
ton to the repeal bill when he speaks
on Tuesday. II became known to-day
that tie Speaker is fortified with re-
cent expressions by William ]. Bryan,
once his political friend and now a
half-forgiven enemy. who spoke his
mind freely on the same subject. The
Harrisburg, Penn, address Of the Sec
rotary Of State in all probability will
be cited by Speaker Clark in refutation
, harsh charges that he is a betrayer
he administration.
shOcretary Bryan, speaking before tho
PENNSYLVANIA Legislature last May, de-
clared:
Il lay il down as a proposition, and
am prepared TO defend it anywhere,
that the Representative who secures
office on a platform and then holds the
Office and betrays the people who
elected him is a criminal worse than
the man who embezzles money in
trusted to him. A platform IS
binding upon every honest man who
runs on that platform"
The use Of this quotation by the
Speaker embellished by the caustic
co6ment Of which Mr. Clark is capable,
is expected to be one of the high lights
OF his speech.
Expected to Deny Charges.
Although the Speaker would not discuss
IL in advance. It is also believed that he
will declare false the charges that he is
already figuring on the Presidential nom
nation in 1916.
On this point his friends say that II the