Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-11
SH|P-B|LL ENEMIES
GAIN NEW SUPPORT
Two Progressive Republicans,
Who Have Favored Meas
ure, Vote With Them.
ADVOCATES STILL HOPEFUL
Senate Adjourns After Longest
Session in It's His
tory.
STILL HOPEFUL

WASHINGTON. February lo.-Rc-
publicans and Democratic insurgents.
fighting the government ship bill. with
the aid OF Senators Norris and Kenyon.
progressive Republicans. who have
supported the measure, forced the SEN
ate TO adjourn. tonight after the
longest continuous session in its his
tory. Debate had lasted fifty -four
hours and eleven minutes.
This made more uncertain than ever
the fate of the bill which the admins
tration has pressed so urgently on Con-
gress. Many members OF both houses
conceded tonight that an extra session
seemed Inevitable. There were some.
however who still hoped there yet
might be time to dispose of appropria-
ton bills and the ship-purchase meas
urc in some form before March 4
CLOTURE NOT CONSIDERED
SERIOUSLY HI DEMOCRATS
Senator Simmons said that the Dem
ocrats had so far not given serious
consideration to the proposal of Scna :
tor Reed. Of Missouri, to pass special
order amending the rules to bring the
debate on the bill to Il close February
/? and vote that day. IT is not believed
that such an order could be passed
through the Senate. And even if II
were seriously taken up for considera
ton, the Republicans would have an
opportunity to flibuSter on the motion
to adopt it,
Adjournment tonight came on n mo-
ton made by Senator O'Gorman. car
r!ed As to &c. after Senator Norris de-
p!oring the flibustcr. had proclaimed
his conclusion that opponents of the
Dill could hlibustcr II TO death
though disappointed over the loss of
support from the progressive Republi-
cans, administration leaders OF the
senate would not admit tonight the
cause was lost. Anticipating break
IN the Senate, President Wilson had
conferred throughout the day with
house leaders on plans TO get the bill
before the House, and such n course
may be taken, though Senate Rcpubli-
cans insist their fight will continue un-
III tie end OF the session, no matter
what the administration forces may nc
complish in the House
FLETCHER MOTION
PROBABLY WILL BE LOST
Tomorrow administration leaders
4
10 recommit the bill with instructions
for its amendment TO satisfy progress
sive Republicans. 1t is considered
probable. however. that this motion
VIII he defeated. and that Senator
Clarke's motion to rccommit the hin
TO the Commerce Committee without
instructions subsequently, will prevail.
Senator Kenyon will vote for this lat
Ter motion ana Senator Norris is ex-
pectcd TO do so also. That would give
the opposition Il majority OF one. with
every Senator voting
lnsurgent Democrats TODAY led h,.
Senator iIardwick. sought a com
promise with their colleagues, by which
the party could he united in a renewed
EFFORT to pass the bill The plan sup
SeStcd was that the warning Democrat <
hoid 4 conference after the rccommit
nent or the bill. Some of the insur
gents then would propose that the bill
be amended TO provide that the pro-
posed government ship purchase enter
prise should terminate at n stated
period after the close of the Europeau
war. ana that purchase of interned
sh!ps OF belligerents be prohibited
IL the Democrats united on such :,
proposal 1t would drive away from the
biil progressive Republicans who favor
government ownership. but there is
nope mat II might stop the flibuster
some Republican leaders, approached
pE ihsurgent Democrats to-day. ad :
mitted that the proposal would remove
the most Objectionable features Of tba
bill.
OPPOSITION EXPECTS
senator Fletcher, in charge of the
piii ior the administration, admitted
'o-hiSht inc administration forces an
pc"red 10 be defeated in their efforts
10 recoinnit the bill with instructions.
lie said Senator Cores motion to dis
'n"rSe 'he commerce Committee from
ms substitute bill would be i'm order TO-
morrow. The opposition, however. in
sisted that such motion would be de-
ic..'c". In this case, the fate of the
'iii must hlhge either on Democratic
RECOMMENDATION or pocedure in the House
me democratic Senators are de-
ii"'''''hs Oh the next move. House
hci'iocr'tS may take up the fight AZ
ter President Wilson'S conferences to-
""H WIN rouse members, il was said
th's pian was agreed on.
The Weeks bill, ALREADY n,ss, =,
'hc senate 10 be taken up in the House
us soon as the sundry civil bill is dis
pose" o. everything after the enactinr
c'a"se 10 ne stricken out and the Gore
substitute ip-purchase bill added, and
'he resulting measure to be passed as
d"'ckiN as possible by the House under
u sPcc'ai rule. This bill to be then
taken up IN the Senate. and kept be-
'ore me pody until the end of the ses-
sioh' II necessary. In case Of no ac-
tloh before the end OF the session. an
extra session to be called on March 5.
rms program was objected to by
Flood and some other
House leaders. who declared that ,i,a
an extra session apparently was in
evilablc. the shippinG bill shnnld Ia