The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-11
WILSON SHIFTS
FIGHT ON SHIP
BILL TO HOUSE
Switch Of Two Senators May
Kill Measure for This
Session.
PRESIDENT MAY AGREE
TO COMPROMISE PLAN

4
Administration found itself stranded .
,r,in tonight in its efforts 10 drive /
m. shin purchase bill through the Sem
ate, The two Republican progressives. 1
Senators Kenyon OF Iowa and Norris OF |
Nebraska. who have been standing with /
,Ns President In the fight, deserted him,
announcing they no longer could allow |
the shin purchase bill to block other /
,nportnnt legislation. The result was
,hst President Wilson again lost con- .
trol Of the Senate and an adjournment
VAS forced by vote of AZ to &c.
This adjournment, At 6 o'clock this .
evening. brought to an end a session !
OF the senate that had run continuously .
for - hours and 10 minutes, which is
stid 10 b, record. The relief came /
none TOO soon, for the older members |
were utterly exhausted by the two all
nieh, sessions and some seemed on the ,
verge " collapse.
The return OF Norris and Kenyon TO |
the Republican fold seems to have ended !
tie chances for the Presidents pet
measure for the present. However. the
Pres dent himself is more determined
than ever to force his will on Congress,
az the risk OF widening the breach in the
Democratic party.
Decides on Special session.
He went 50 far to-day as to inform the
Democratic leaders OF the House that NO
will call n special session for March >,
the day following the expiration OF the
present Congress. II the ship purchase
bill fails
Forced 20 acknowledge failure in the
Senate the President has turned his at
,ention to the House. He summoned the
leaders to the White House and began
making plans for the shifting Of the
fight lie intends with the aid OF the
Democratic machine TO torco the ship
purchase Legislation through the House
and, with this prestige and parliament
tdry advantage, to take up the fight
again IN the Senate.
But at the very outset President Will
son has been warned that he will not
nave plain sailing in the House, even
With It's big Democratic majority
Leader Underwood and Representative
Kt'hin, who will succeed Mr. Under
wood as the head OF the party in the
House after March 4, told the Presi-
dent fatty to-day that he would not be
able to put his bill through the House
"a It's present form.
Warned by Leaders.
They warned him that the Govern
nent ownership plan would have to be
limited to the duration OF the war that
at the end OF hustillties such vessels ~
were suitable would have to be turned
over tC the United States navy and tlt.
others sold, and that no informed be-
lgcrent vessels could be bought by the
Government.
There are limitations that the Pres
ident may accept such limitations.
Nacillatlon has been the Administra.
tons weakness In the present fight. In
fact, the latest move has led TO the gen.
'ral impression In Washington that
President Wilson and his followers are
engaged chiefly in an effort TO get al.
most any action from Congress which
VIII permit them to "saye- their faces"
II President Wilson carries out his
threat to call an extra session Congress
probably will be in session most OF the
summer. The President undoubtedly
vii insist upon rural credits legislation,
the passage Of the Administrations con-
eervaton measure and probably the
Philippines bill.
The plan under consideration for
shifting the fight 10 the House contem-
plates lacking the modified ship nnr-
chase bill 10 the Weeks bill. which pro-
'ides for the acquiring OF naval auxll-
iares 10 be utilized as merchant vessels
In commerce with South America. The
Weeks bill has passed the Senate and
Is pending before the House Committee
on Merchant Marine.
IN In Another Form.
Tn ship legislation would then coma
before the Senate In the form OF con
ference report. II would not be sub
yec' 20 amendment and would have other
Parliamentary advantages.
There is, however one stumbling
block The House Rules Committee al
Ready has passed a rule providing for
consideration of the original Wilson
ship purchase bill. Before a substitute
IN modified form could he considered an
Other rule would have to be obtained
and there is considerable opposition TO
tho legislation in the Rules Committee.
The disturbance in the Senate early
W the day, due 10 the arbitrary methods
o. no" Democratic side, was matter
Of rcEretful comment on both sides
Undoubtedly this incident had its effect
on senators Norris and Kenyon, who
de',"re such scenes,
Not the least remarkable or the
nights Incidents was the action OF Sec
e'ary Bryan in urging Nice-President
MARSHALL 10 support the Democratic plot.
b. which a roll call was 10 be forced by
arbitrary rulings. Mr.. Marshall is said
10 have called attention very forcefully
10 tie fact that he was Vice President,
with q solemn duty TO preside over the
senate fairly and honestly. His arti-
lude was highly commended by many
Senator's
Dead for This session.
Leaders 81 both parties in the Senate
VI. OBJ" ship measure is dead for this
SESSION The vote in favor OF adjourn
tto' was significant. 1t can and will
t"r'e adjournment Tomorrow NJ 6
o'clock and each day thereafter II can
9Ot an end 20 night sessions and prob
'h'v can be commanded for motion
To- ay aside the ship bill and take M
no ~ the general appropriation bills
I''l motion may be made tomorrow.
Administration Senators, realizing
H'' The afternoon that the ground
'' ppus from under them, tried tc
.'.hs" compromise senator Hard
'" 70 ono OF the seven insurgents, cir
'"'"'ei paper for sgners calling for q
Continued on Fowth Page.