The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-03-27

Panama tolls fight was resumed in the House today the battle lines were drawn in this manner-
 Fiftyzfive minutes remained for de- bate on the special rule to limit dis cusssion to 20 hours on the Sims bill to repeal the exemption for coastwise ships.
 Chairman Henry of the rules com rnittee, leading that phase of the fight for the administration forces was ready at the conclusion Of the 55 min utes to move the previous question, " a. parliamentary maneuver to shut off debate on the rule and force a vote, the first real test of strength.
 Opponents of the administration program, strengthened by Speaker C1arars vigorous denunctation of the attempt at cIota1re and renewed by his declaration that he would vote against limiting debate, were pre- pared to bring every resource into play to beat esthe previous question, " and thus throw down the bars for unlimited debate not only on the rule but on the repeal bill itself.
 FIRST TEST VOTE
 On this first test vote hung not only the question of pressing the adminis- tration measure through but also the greater one of opening it to amend ment.
 Administration leaders realized that if beaten on the cloture rule the bill itself would be open to amendments, one of which gaining favor today was to repeal the exemption but to spe- officially provide that the right to grant free passage to American ships under existing treaties should not be surrendered.
 In this way the opposing forces were drawn up to renew one of the bitterest congressional fights of re- cent years, certainly the hardest fought of President Wilson's admin fstration Over night conferences and stren gthening of battle lines brought, no visible shift in position of either side in this contest in which party lines have been broken and Demo crats Republicans and Progressives divided into two camps under banners emption.
 CHAMBERLAIN PLATED
 There was no change in the Senate in the status of the repeal bill there, which rests with the canal commit tee awaiting developments in the House.
 Senator Chamberlain, leading repeal opponent in the Senate, was e1ated at the situation in the House T was lonely when started this fight" he said, "but we are gaining strength every day. It's going to be, the old battle of '76 over again, the Tory ele- ment on one side and the masses of the people on the other"
 Administration leaders continued to confidence in the outcome of the controversy, predicting a substan- tiaI majority for the repeal. Some told the President today they would have a majority of 50 on the rule. It was decided to center the attack on the attitude of Speaker Clark. The time was divided between Representa- tive Adamson and Representative Hardwick, the former to make some discussion of the bill but the latter to devote his speech entirely to a reply to Speaker C1ark's statement last night.
 CLARK MAY OPPOSE REPEAL
 Some Congressmen professed the view that the fight had taken the aspect of a contest between the Pres ident and Speaker Clark. They ex- pected the Speaker might take the floor to personally lead the fight on the rule or might reserve his attack for the bill itself unless forced to the flor to defend himself. The gallerL es filled up early. Mrs. Clark had a seat in the speakers gallery.
 An outburst of applause and shout ing greeted Speaker Clark as he as ~ended She rostrum promptly at noon.