Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-02
Amendments to be Accepted
To Prevent Certain
Defeat.
PRESIDENT CALLS
ON KENYON TO AID
Senator Norris Also in Conferences at
Whit. House While Democrats Hold
caueu. in Effort to Whip Seven In
.urasnts Into L;ne-WiIi Change Bill
So Warning Nations Can Not Be or
fendsd-RepubIican Aid Necessary.

So Warning Nations Can NOT DC VI !.
f.ndsd-RepubIican Aid Necessary.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "A declaration
If principle in the shipping bill an
nouncing the intention of the United
States not to buy ships which would
involve controversies with the bellig-
erent countries was forecast today at
the White House after conference
between President Wilson and Senator
Kenyon and Norris. The president In
dicated the administration was ready
to make some concessions.
Washington, Feb. 2.-While the ad-
mnistration senate democrats caucused
today to reorganfze their shattered
lines and renew the fight for the ship
DILL President Wilson conferred with
progressive republicans. seeking
basis to make the bill agreeable to
enough of that wing to fill the gap
caused by the sudden detection of nine
democratic votes in yesterdays sensa-
tional coup, when the anti-administra-
tion senators threw the measure in the
shadow of defeat.
One of the strong possibilities OF a
basis of compromise was that a dec
laration Of principle must be incorpo-
rated in the bill. saying the government
intended to buy no ships which would
involve International controversies.
Amendments Certain.
Scarcely had the caucus begun when
Senator LaFollette. on whom the dem
,crats are counting for support, ar
rived outside the conference room and
discussed the measure. That the bill
will be amended most OF the democrats
seemed ready 10 concede. Seven Of the
democrats who voted with the republi-
cans yesterday were not at the confer
ence. They were Comden, Bankhead,
Hardwick, Clarke. Hitchcock, O'Gor-
man and vardaman. Senator Hoke
Smith and Bryan. however. who voted
to table Vice President MarshalIs rul-
ing declaring out Of order Senator
Clarke's motion to recommit the bill,
did not ignore the caucus.
Republican Amendments.
Amendments which the caucus con-
sidered included these urged by Sena-
.ors Norris and Kenyon:
One, by Senator Norris, would pro-
vide that no vessel should be purchased
which sails under the flag OF any ma
ton at war with any other nation
which is at peace with the United
States, unless prior to such purchase
any understanding shall be reached
that will avoid any difficulty or dis
pute. Senator Kenyon proposes that
cabinet officers should not serve on
The shipping board
The outcome Of the caucus was
awaited with intense interest, for upon
its action depended whether or not the
motion to send the bill back to the
committee shall carry. If the bill is re-
committed even its most ardent advo-
cates believe 1t would mean the death
Of the measure SO far as the present
session of congress is concerned.
Kenyon Called to White House.
One of the democratic leaders ad-
mitted that the most optimistic fore>
cast left the democrats one vote short
on the motion to re-commit the bill.
President Wilson called Senator Ken
yon and Norris. representing the pro-
gressive republicans, into conference.
The need Of their votes to take the
place of boiling democrats seemed nec-
essary to the success Of the bill.
To Sue For Terms.
With view to seeking terms on
which progressive republicans would
support the ship bill and to confer with
democrats who bolted yesterday the
democratic caucus appointed a COM
mittee of three to investigate the situ-
alton and report tonight.
Senator LaFollette offered an amend
ment to prohibit leasing ships longer
than six months and making rates.
Senator Poindexter proposed an
amendment that no bellfgerent ships be
bought.
President 10 Still Confident.
The president said he was confident
the bill would pass. When asked II
there would be amendments he said the
changes contemplated would not alter
the spirit of the measure. He hoped,
and was inclined to think, that such
changes as were made would satisfy
tho progressive republicans, who were
not asking anything inconsistent with
the bill, but wanted chiefly to declare a
policy and not surrender a right. The
president pointed out that even tho 1t
was not intended to buy belligerent's 3
ehips, It must SO be made plain in the
measure.
Discussing the suggestion that pyo-
vision be made against re-selling the
vessels, IL the venture became profit
able, he pointed out that any action
taken now could not, OF course. bind
future congresses. even to the point of
the repeal of the bill. The president
J said he was sure the bill would not be
replaced on the senate calendar.
German ships Not Suitable.
As forecasting the purpose OF the
administration not to buy belligerent
: shsns II was regarded as Significant
that the president declared that the
type OF ships most needed could be
built promptly. He said tramp steain-
err = carry large. cargoes were most