The Washington times., 1915-02-15
Democrats Go to Tonight's
Caucus Reluctantly, Feeling
Extra Session Assured.
TO ADOPT SPECIAL RULE
Leaders Advise President That
Danger Faces Party in
Forcing the Issue.

with the recalcitrant Democrats seek
ing enough votes to prevent the caucus
from binding all present to support the
compromise ship purchase bill, indica-
tions about the House this afternoon are
that the party caucus tonight on the
shipping measure will be no tame affair
"A lively time was had by all attend
ing" Is expected to be tho announce
ment following the breakup OF the splr-
tied party confab.
There is little doubt that under the
party whip. the Democrats will instruct
the Rules Committee to bring in tomor-
row the special rule calling up the COM
promise shipping bill. which Is 70 be
passed in the House. and sent to the
Senate in the hope OF lettering tho par
liza mentary situation in the upper cham
Der.
Insurgents Busy.
A large number OF Democrats. how
ever. are opposed to this proposed
action-some on account Of deep-rooted
nntagonism to the shipping bill itself,
others because Of the belief that a con-
tinuation Of the shipping fight for the
remainder even Of this week means an
extra session. At any rate, many men,
bers want the satisfaction Of not being
bound by the caucus mandate and the
insurgents are quietly working today
to prevent the two-thirds ma jority
necessary to tie hands Of members with
the party cords.
Regardless of binding action. 1t Is
tad h-s
Gratis will openly serve notice they
cannot follow the caucus mandate and
will be absolved accordingly. This
course. however. is less preferable to
the individual recalcitrant and the
movement today is to persuade the eau
Gus to o. X. the Presidents shipping
bill. but not make 1t binding party
measure.
Many OF the Democrats go into the
caucus reluctantly. feeling that If the
another week it will mean an extra ses-
sion. because the appropriation bills
can not be passed in less than two
weeks. The President: in keeping
to the exclusion OF appropriation bills
in the upper chamber. is going con-
trary to the advice of a number of in
fiuental Democrats. 1t Is said by polit-
ical leaders today.
Means Extra Session.
1t is understood that. when members
Of the executive committee of the DEM
ocratic National Committee conferred
with the President on Saturday night
they warned him of the dangers Of an
extra session. The President was told
that from political standpoint extra
sessions are things to be avoided. al
though the Presidents advisers We're
appreciative OF his valiant efforts in
behalf of the shipping bill
The decision to put the shipping bill
through the House augurs Tor at least
a week Of discussion in the Senate. and
1T is feared by party leaders that this
will effectively kill all hope of passing
the appropriation bills at this session
and make an extra session unavoida ble.
The House, with many members op-
posed to the shipping bill. will not con-
sent to pass the measure II it Is to
be abandoned as soon as 1t reaches the
Senate. If it Is not abaNdoned as soon
az 1t rea Ches that body the extra session
will come. according to the private
| opinion Of an Administration leader to-
day.