Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
Manifestations Strength
on Purchase Measure
Shown in Preliminary
Vote of 1876 to 1S9-Many
Democrats Object.
sIany Democrats Unite With
Republicans in Opposing
Previous Question on Pro
posal to Limit the Debate to
Six Hours.

tNeofflFNO Y OfNf y en- lps--oy Note pl
IS to A the Senate today refused to table
senator cummlns' amendment to the pro.
posed eloturs rule which would forbid
Senators from joining In a binding party
caueup
senator La Folist,e, for the first time
during the shipping bill fight, took sides
apsinst the Administration Democrats
WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.--Passage by the
House tonight OF the compromise ship
purchase bill was assured this afternoon.
when. IN preliminary vote testing the
administration's strength. the House
adopted. tss TO i3s, the gag rule. bring
ing np the bill for cons deration and limit
fig debate 10 six hours
fne names of the Democrats who alb
solved themselves from the caucus man
date and served notice that they would
not vote for the bill were;
tttzgetald Holloway Gerry
settistt Kitehln tattsn -..
Sifson BrOckson SieNets
Jones GRliknn TaEe
wy,IshsrspoSn Bsaii saunders
Democrats who voted against the pre-
vlous question on the rule were;
l,orehsrs ,,,Ua, Ml,herspoOn proSsssrt
cSIiTsst 2ShfnoS s,.sSa ss;Sri.k aSn9"E tisli%
shaeEieford sToSSson iiHpv fitEserald
Opening the debate for the rule. Rep
rtsentative Henry asserted that the bill
was designed Ito rid the country from
the grip OF the shipping trust" This
statement was hooted by the Republicans
as was his statement that the country
wanted tho ship bill
Opposing the rule, Representative
CHmphellf OF Kansas. said that the ship
yards of the country are buster than they
have ever been in handling the country-s
commerce.
PRESIDENT FAVoRs CLOSURE
President Wilson made II clear TO-DAY
that be favored closure in the Senate. He
told callers that he advocated general
i2lle limiting debate as part OF the pro-
cesses OF revising the procedure of the
upper chamber.
The President indicated that he be-
lieved the time was coming when OBJ
attuction in the Senate. caused by the
rights OF unlimited debate. must cease.
He was not speaking only with reference
20 the ship purchase bill, ne stated, but
had in view many other measures which
q minority might hold up indefinitely.
Reporta that the extra session OF Con-
gress, IL called, would revise several
tariff schedules and take up the problem
df new revenue legislation were denied
BY President Wilson. He stated that if
the extra session were necessary 1t,
would be devoted entirely to the ship
purchase ard the appropriation bills.
The President also declared that new
evidence was accommodating daily to SHOW
the necessity for the ship purchase act
and Indicated that he believed the Dem
.ocratic party was solidly behind 1t with
y few exceptions.
SPEAKER CLARK TO RESCUE.
Speaker Champ Clark came to the aid
OF the Administration in the House Dem
ocratic caucus last night ana rallied the
wagerinB members, with the result that
the CAUCUS early today. after an nlI-night
discussion adopted the measure by vote
Of i5i TO %.
Speaker Clark Is credited with having
brought many wavering members back
Into line with this word OF warning:
You hays wandered in the wilderness
for IS years and you will wander there
again unless you follow the leadership OF
your party
4 The Speaker pointed out that while he
vas opposed TO the theory OF Government
owuership, the ship bill was an emer-
gency measure and the House should not |
stand IN the way of It's passage because |
the Ssrate probably would hllbuster |
against Il until doomsday.'