The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-02-18
News From Our
Nations Capitol

WASHINGTON, Feb. ,1S.-Adminis.
tration leaders in the senate have an
that they intend to fight on for
the passage Of the government ship
purchase bill. They insist that they
will keep the bill before the senate if
it takes all the rest of the present $685.
sion and forces an extra session this
spring to care for the appropriation
bill. The Republican filibuster against
the bill is just as vigorous as ever, and
night sessions have been ersumed. Cots
and lounges on which senators might
catch a few minutes sleep have been
placed in office rooms near the senate
chamber. During one Of the recent
night sessions the senate wing Of the
capitol looked like huge hosiery to
those who were permitted to glance
within some Of the large adjacent COM
mittoe rooms. The intensity Of the
fight is shown by the fact that at roll
call last Monday every member respon-
ded. This was the first time the full
membership Of the senate has been
present since the memorable fight in
1893, when Grover Cleveland put the
repeal Of the purchase clause on the
silver act through over the protest of
vigorous minority Of his party.
The question Of whether there shall:
or shall not be an extra session is hang
ing in the balance, with the indications
however, pointing to an affirmative an
swer. Senator John Sharp Williams Of
Mississippi, who is full Of fight over the
ship purchase bill, says if the bill is
defeated by a filibuster he would like
to see an extra session at which not only
the shipping bill, but also a rural cred.
its bill could be put through, thereby
completing the Democratic program
legislation.
The use of the American Tag on tho
British steamer Lusitania has given
rise to much comment here. The laws
Of the United States provide that YES
sells Of the United States, and no 9th.
ers, shall fly the American flag. Severe
punishment is provided for false regis.
try. Unfortunately, no punishment is
provided for the false display of the
flag by a foreign vessel. Some think
such law should be enacted without
delay, in order that masters shall !,e
punished and the vessel confiscated in
such cases. Under such law, no mat.
ter fraudently flying the American flag
would dare to return to the United
States, and the vessel, if it returned
could be seized.
In digging through dust-covered leg
islative records, Vice President Mar
shall learned that the "Made in Amer
lea movement is nearly 100 years old
The document is resolution adopted
by the legislature of Missouri in 1929
which urges all the officers of that
state to dress in home grown and HON.
manufactured clothing.
Mass meetings in the interests o.
world peace are being arranged all over
the country by the recently organized
woman 8 peace party for Washington =
birthday. This party was born here
and the district branch is eager to
make the demonstration here fitting
one for the national capitol. Word
has reached here that assurance has al.
ready been given that Boston, Chicago,
New York, San Francisco and other
large cities will have big meetings.
Miss Margaret Wilson, daughter of
the president, has accepted the invita-
ton of the Federation of Woman g
Clubs to be member of the executive
committee of the "home relief" which
will conduct campaign during "self
sacrifice week. for the benefit of the
needy of Washington. Each day of
self sacrifice week. will have its spe.
scial significance.