The Washington times., 1915-02-11
THE SHIP BILL STATUS

It is not time yet to assume that
the ship-purchase bill has been killed
by the collapse of the strange for
and-against filibuster, but it is GER
tain that the chance of the legisla-
ton passing at this session has been
greatly lessened, and the further
probability is distinctly outlined,
that any legislation on the subject
that passes will be radically differ
ent from the measure now before the
Senate.
The curious attitude of Admins
tration forces, shopping around for
support for various propositions, al
ways with the view to determining
how many votes can be counted
rather than with the design of stick
ing to any broad line of economic
policy, is not strengthening the
measure. Thus, Senator Norris, who
has become a pivotal figure, wants
real Government ownership because
he believes in it. He thinks if Gov
ernment ships are good thing for
emergency purposes in time Of
stress, they would be a good thing
in other times. If the Government is
to stand the loss of inaugurating
the system, Mr.. Norris doesn't quite
understand why the Government
should step out and sell or lease it's
ships to private interests when the
time comes for making profits. But
that idea is abhorrent in the extreme
to many Democrats and most Re-
publicans, who on principle oppose
Government ownership. The South
ern Senators are standing for a
Government ownership experiment
whose economic principle they thor
oughly dislike, because the South
wants bottoms to haul its cotton to
waiting markets; and general prin-
ciples may be sacrificed to the needs
of the particular exigency.
The Administration faces square
ly, now, the choice between with
drawing it's legislation, and having
an extra session. There is not 50
much terror of an extra session as
some political sections would have
believed. 1t would be almost miracu-
lous, in present conditions, to avoid
it, for the general legislation still
to be handled in some seventeen leg
islative days involves wide oppor.
tunity for disagreement and discus.
sion. Unless, then, the filibuster is
promptly taken out of the possibili
ties Of the remaining days it may be
set down as very sure that there will
be an extra session.
In an extra session the boot will
be on the other leg. The House will
be closely divided politically, while
the Senate will be lopsided in favor
of the Democrats. The measure will
have very good chance to pass thu
Senate in almost any form the Ad
ministration demands; but there will
then be the need to dicker with th'
sentiment of a close House. Their
is no apparent way to avoid SOM
catering to the opinions of the peo
pie whose votes are wanted. 1t ma!
be tough on an iron-fisted Admins
tration, but it is one Of the penaltie
Of having legislatures with power b
modify the executive will; and thi
country is still quite devoted to tn
idea that the legislature has a par
in the Federal system.
There is suggestion of droppini
the fight in the Senate for the pres
ent, and taking it on in the House
passing the ship bill as substitut
for a measure that has alread
passed the Senate, and sending
back to the upper chamber with
demand that the Senate concur i
the amendment. This involves som
parliamentary advantages; but the
are offset by the fact that even un
der EXTREMIST pressure som
precious days would be used in get
ting the plan through the House. Al
together, it looks as if there woul
have to be an extra session.
In an extra session, following tn
suggestions of Mr.. Norris. the Who'll
question should be taken up with
new and broader purpose to grin
out of non-partisan consideration a
effective piece of constructive legi.
lation. This is no proper questio
for partisan division; and it wi
never be settled properly on part