The Washington times., 1915-02-16
PRESIDENT FAVORS
CLOTURE IN SENATE
Urges Rule to Block Tactics Of
Obstruction - Forecasts a
Ship Bill Victory.

President Wilson came out today
souarely In favor Of a cloture rule in the
Senate.
He told callers that his opinion In this
respect was not limited to his wish to
get the ship purchase bill through Con-
gress, but was based on a conviction
that the system was wrong which per.
mitted one man or few men to hold
up legislation by tactics obviously dila-
tory.
He favored. he said, a general rule.
which. while not cutting off reasonable
debate. would cut off obstruction.
Forecasts Senate Victory.
Persons who conferred with tho Presi-
dent this morning were impressed with
the apparent change in his manner.
Abrupt almost to the point Of testi-
ness. he showed plainly the effects Of
his long battle with the Senate. and the
wearing ererts Of the internntio
problems that confront him.
Chnracterizlng as absurd the story
printed this morning to the effect that
he wanted an extra session Of Congress
to revise the tariff and mend the Gov
crnment's revenues. he declared en-
phatically that he had never entertain
cd the thought Of tariff revision; that
the present tarin was working with en-
tire satisfaction. and that no ap?re-
hcnslon existed as far as the Admin
istration was concerned regarding tho
revenues.
II the ship purchase bill and the ap-
bills were passed. he said,
there would be no need for an extra
session. On the other hand he
would net commit himself to an extra
session II these measures failed Of pass
age.
but he gave no hint of the reasons
which prompted his confidence.
He conferred this morning with sew
eral members Of the Senate. some of
whom appeared to believe that an extra
session was inevitable. Others merely
voiced the hope that there would be
none.
senator John w. Kern of Indiana.
chairman Of the Democratic caucus Of
the Senate, was one of these who indi-
be no extra session was based on de-
sire rather than expectation. He de-
clared that II the question OF adopt-
ing cloture rule could be brought
the way paved for prompt action on
the ship purchase bill and fhe appro-
priation bills. but he volunteered no
reasons for believing that vote could
be reached.
Plans Of Leaders.
"If there is to he an extra session
he declared. II am personally opposed
to adding rural credits or any other
feature to the business at hand. The
extra session should be confined to the
shin purchase bill and the appropriation
measures, and then Congress should by
all means go home. for one shall get
out OF here a. soon as ! can. believe.
II the ship purchase bill fails Mt this
session, there should be an extra ses-
sion, but only for the purpose OF get
ting this measure on the statute books
The plan. understood to have been ap-
proved by the President. provides that
Senate from the House for concurrence.
one Of the Administration leaders will
on the instant move to concur and de-
mand a roll-call. The President OF the
Senate is expected to recognize the mo-
ton and demand at once, and order the
roll started.
Senator Ashurst. who stands at the
head of the roll. and favors the passage
Of the bill. will be expected to register
his vote without a minutes delay. The
morsent the roll call is started in this
way. debate will be out of order.
Senate leaders tolked today Of trying
to force another all might session in the
effort to drive through cloture before
the House sent over the ship bill.
When the Senate met at noon. SSena-
tor Cummins took the floor and discuss
ed cloturc. He has offered an amend
ment to the Norris general cloture plan
which provides there shall be no limi.
tation of debate or cloture In case Sena-
tors are bound by "A party caucus.
The issue Of abolition Of the party
caucus on lcgis' station looms up with
quite as much prominence As cloture.
Many Senators regard its abolition as
the biggest issue before the Senate.