The Washington herald., 1914-09-27
HOUSE TO DEBATE
PHILIPPINE BILL
Action Taken to Mean that
Shipping Measure Will Be
Put on Shelf.
OBJECTION IS RAISED
Opponents Assert Discussion of Inter-
national Affairs viii Prove Embar-
RAISING During War Times.

The House yesterday by vote Of to -
passed the rule providing for the consider
alton Of the Philippine independence BILL
allowing eight hours for general debate
and providing that the bill shall be con-
sidered In the House as in committee
Of the whole House on the State Of the
Union, with unlimited privilege of amend
ment- ,
This is taken to mean that the blli
providing for the creation Of q FeleraI
corporation to conduct a shipping busi-
ness and carrying a bond authorization
of S3e, ,O0e OoO will be safely shelved.
Point to Pitfalls
RepubIicaus took the position in the
debate preceding the adoption of the rule
that although there was no ground ior
complaint, that the rule was insun-
ciently liberal that to force a discussion
of the highly involved international ques-
tion of Philippine independence at this
critical. junoture laid an embargo upon
the full and free discussion of the meas
ure in all Of its aspects and with the
Presidents own Utterances to the Ameri-
can people bespeaking cautious reucence
in the matter OF International discussion
free debate was impossible. Representa-
tive Fess, of Ohio, speaking against the
rule, took this position, and when urged
by his colleague, Representative Gordon.
Democrat. to explain why he could not
freely discuss the general proposition Of
Japanese interest in the ownership Of
the Philippines and possible German IN
terest in the same direction, said:
That is the very sort Of thing that in
times. of peace we could discuss, but II
my colleague does not see why it should
not be discussed just now I. for one. can
tow rot n
ing"
Representative Lenroot of Wisconsin.
in opposing the present discussion of the
bill taunted the Democrats with an un-
willingness to go home at this time and
face the music of the present campaign.
Mr. Lenroot said:
Taunts Democrats.
"A few years ago. Mr.. Speaker, there
was a song which was very popular and
its title vas I'm Afraid to Go Home IN
the Dark I am inclined to think that
every Democrat who voted for that war
revenue bill yesterday and the infamous
rule Of the day before can well say: I'm
afraid to go home at all You are much
safer here than you are at home after
that performance. Indeed. l doubt II
there is a Democrat who voted for that
bill who is not ashamed 10 face his con-
stituents- from any platform in this cam
paign But with the excellent Judgment
that they have displayed in this new
program. and knowing the straits that
they are in, I. out of abundance Of char
ity, hope they may make well of Il"
Representative Towner. of Iowa, in
sisted that there was a spirit Of unfair
ness in the Democratic ranks in forcing
consideration of the Philippine bill when
discussion ef it's international aspects was
interdicted by executive disapproval of
such discussions even in private CONVEX
satiou.
Why have You brought this bill up at
this unfortunate time?" demanded Mr.
TOwner.
Don't you believe in keeping platform
pledges" demanded Mr.. Gordon, of Ohio.
.'Oh. yes" responded Mr.. Towner. my
party does, but l was not talking about
the actions Of nv party; l was talking
about yours, which isn't so particular al
ways"
Manuel Quezon. the Philippine commits
sioner resident, urged the enactment of
the bill on strict grounds Of the right Of
the Filipinos to the enjoyment of entire
rational independence. Chairman Jones,
Of the Committee on Insular Affairs,
urged the passage Of the rule and the bill
as A party measure and as redemption
of the national obligation to the Philip
pine Islands. There were numerous other
speeches on. both sides Of the Chamber