Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-03
FILIBUSTER CREW
CERTAIN FIGHT ON
SHIP BILL is WON
Insurgent Demos Will Support
Measure if U. s. Ownership Tenn
pOrary and Progressive G.
O. P.s Vice Versa.
WILSON is UP AGAINST II
Only Allies He Can Hope for Are
Diametrically Opposed to Stand
Upon Legislation,
LITTLE CHANCE FOR PASSAGE


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.--Extraor-
dinary efforts were exerted today
and tonight by administration lead
ers Of the senate to save the govern
ment ship purchase bill from threat
ened defeat or consignment to a
pigeonhole for this session OF con-
gress.
lin 10 late hour tonight with the
democratic majority still struggling over
the legislative dilemma, nothing but
tentative plans OF procedure had been
disclosed These included propositions for
revision OF the pending bills 20 draw sup
port from progressive republican senators
and proposals designed TO win back, at
least six OF the seven democrats who
Joined with the republicans yesteSiay in
an effort to send the measure back to
the commerce committee.
Activities of Day.
Preliminary sSirmishes at the capital
and White House were begun early I'm the
day. President Wilson conferred with
several progressive republican seoators
In regard to their ideas on the proposed
legislation, the democratic majority con-
sldered methods OF procedure to regain
its lost ground, and the seven recall
citrant democrats conferred among
themselves with the avowed purpose of
standing firm until satisfactory terms
should be presented to them.
As a result of this complicated situation
the democratic conference appointed a
s.eciai committee of three members, Sem
aAcrs Fletcher Simmons and Martin, to
conduct negotiations with senators of
both parties with a view TO ascertaining
what support could be gained for the bill
and upon what points OF revisioh This
special committee was prepared to report
progress at the second caucus late to-
night and hold out hope to their coll
leagues that ultimate success would be
theirs.
Insurgents Approached.
Revolving democrats. Senators Bank
head. Clarke. Camden. Hardwick, Hitch
cock, o'Gorman and vardaman. were
approached by the caucus committee sew
eral times during the day and asked for
a stipulation of terms upon which they
might reconsider their attitude with a
reservation that It might first be wise to
i'ecomrnit the tlii. 80. ,l-l
The committee was given to understand
that there would be no change In the re-
VOTERS attitude toward the measure un-
less II was stripped of government owner
ship features, with a provision that II
be understood to be an emergency under
taking with positive limitations.
One suggestion offered was that pro-
vision be made for the government to
retire from the proposed operation OF
ships after two years. Another stipula-
ton was said to be that the government
should purchase or acquire none Of the
ships of belligerent nations.
Here They Clash.
Insofar as prohibition OF purchase Of
foreign ships now laid up in this country
Is concerned, such a stipulation was pro
posed by some OF the progressive repub-
lican senators. They, however. do not
favor the government shipping corpora
tion as temporary measure, and sug-
gested amendments whereby It would DO
instituted as a permanent venture. Here
the proposals OF progressive republicans
and revolving democrats clashed. After
Senator Norris and Senator Kenyon had
talked with President Wilson. It was un-
derstood tina. the president had looked
with favor upon some amendment that
might satisfy their views with regard to
.pefmanency OF the project. A direct
stipulation that the government be pro.
hibited from acquiring ships from belli-
geronts II was stated, however. was not
favQrably received, although the intima,
tion was given that there might be nc
objection 10 a declaration OF policy on
the subject and that the government did
not contemplate purchasing ships that
might be the subject OF international
controversy.
Another amendment, proposed by SEN
ator La Toilette. who Is expected 70 sup
port the bill, was suggested as a middle
ground with relation 70 the proposed
leasing OF ships 10 private corporations
/ by the government. It would provide that
the government shipping corporation in
leasing ships should do so for a period
no longer than six months, and that al
such leases should specify the rates
charges and fares" to be observed In tis
lessees
! After all angles OF the Nsituation had
been canvassed during the day, the sen.
4 ate having adjourned early 10 await The
outcome OF the diminishing, republican
leaders were confident that their fiaht
against the measure had been won. Sen.
ators smoot. Lodge. Weeks and others
declared that the bill was dead. Demo.
lcratic leaders. on the other hand. still