The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-20

Washington. Feb. 16.-Democratic
leaders In both houses OF congress
agreed tonight that the government
ship purchase bill either would be be-
fore President Wilson for his sigma
ture within few days or dead SO far
as this session is concerned. The
house remained in session late tonight
to pass the Weeks-Gore bill, as the
amended measure Is known, and to-
morrow the administration forces will
begin final effort to get a vote in
the senate on the house amend
ments over the opposition of Republ-
cans and revolving Democrats. Ma
jority leaders spoke confidently today
OF the prospect OF victory and Presi-
dent Wilson, after n conference with
Senator Kern, told callers today the
bin would be passed. '
On both sides of the capitol belief
was current that IL present plans for
prompt action in the senate fell
through the ship bill would be aban-
doned and all efforts centred upon
disposing of appropriation bills to
make unnecessary an extra session.
While the house debated the Weeks
Gore bill the senate continued its dis
cussion OF cloture rules and senate
leaders of all factions were consulted
In conferences as to the next move to
be made. Report has 1t that admin
istration forces tomorrow would at
tempt to cut of all debate by moving
the previous question and thus forcing
a vote on a motion to concur in the
house amendments. Should this pre-
wall II would be equivalent to pas
-sage OF the ship purchase bill.
There were evidences of unusual ac-
tivity on the part of the senate COM
mittees In charge of appropriation
oills, preparing the supply measures
Tor the senate consideration as soon as
the legislative ways are cleared of
pending business.
The skip bill as II will go to the
senate from the house includes the
ship purchase measure as agreed
upon In senate caucus. and a provi-
sion that two years after the close of
the European war ships acquired by
the United States shall be turned over
TO the secretary OF the navy to be
operated or leased for commercial
purposes under the terms of the
Weeks bill already passed by the sem
ate.
Senator Smoot has given no.
'tice that the debate will be con-
tinued by the opposition until
March 4 unless the Democrats with
draw the measure or some unusual
tactics are resorted to by administra-
tion forces.
Charges OF improper influences
exerted with relation to the bill or
dered investigated by the senate yes
terday were taken under considera-
tion today by the special senate COM
mite and the formal inquiry will
begin tomorrow morning. Bernard n.
Baker OF Baltimore. former manager
of the Atlantic Transport line. and
Sigmund Albert of New York, repre-
sentative of some OF the German
American steamship companies. have
been summoned by the committee and
are expected TO appear at that time.
Debate i'm the house proceeded
'slowly throughout the afternoon and
evening. halted time and again by roll
call demanded by Republican Leader
Mann. When the bill had been before
the house for ten hours II became APP
parent that vote probably could not
be reached before midnight.
Representatives Humphrey of
Washington, Moore. Pennsylvania
Madden. Illinois. and many other Re-
publicans spoke against the measure.
Representatives Adamson, Georgia;
Small. North Carolina; Eagle, Texas;
Mcclellan. Tennessee and other Dem
3 ocratsssuppofted II. ~'
Both floor and galleries were crowd
ed as the debate neared a close. Rep
resentative Mann made the conclud-
Ing arguments against the bill, de.