Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-14
PLANS COMPLETED
FOR COMPROMISE
House Leaders Expect to Rush
New Ship-Purchasc Bill
Through.
ROCKS AHEAD IN SENATE
Republicans Prepared to Fight 1t
as They Have Pending
Measure.
ROCKS AHEAD IN SENATE

WASHINGTON. February 13.-while
Senate Democrats marked time In tho
ship-purchase bill fight to-day. House
leaders completed plans for rushing the
administration compromise proposal
through that body by the end OF next
week. Under n special rule introduced
to-day. the House would be given only
six hours to debate the compromise
plan, which will be laid before a House
Democratic caucus Monday night
for approval. No amendments other
than those provided for in the rule
would be possible.
In tho Senate the Norris cloture rule
was still under debate. Senator Burton
occupied the floor virtually the entire
seanon. his discussion ranging from
criticism OF alleged executive inter
ference with legislation to tho merits
OF various projects contained In the
rivern and hnrbors appropriation bill.
Democratic leaders conferred on the
general subject OF cloture to-day with
out reaching any decision. and resumed
their conferences tonight.
CAUCUS MAY BIND
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
Under Representative Padgett's pro-
posed special rule. the House could
dispose OF the bill al one sitting. The
rule includes the completed administra-
tion compromise. embracing the Weeks
naval auxiliary bill. the Gore shipping
bill md nm amendment combining the
two. Tho caucus on Monday night Ia
expected to bind tho Democratic ma
5ority to support the bill as party
measure.
tho revised bill would 20 through the
House without difficulty. Senate Re-
puoncans. however. asserted the com
promise failed to eliminate the two
principal objections. and would meet
tho same obstructions in the Senate as
the pending bill. They asserted the
compromise would permit the purchase
or beiligerent-owned ships, and would
allow the government to continue in
definitely in the shipping business.
While insurgent Senate Democrats
attended tho morning cloture confer
ence. they were outspoken In their
opposition to either special or general
rules to limit debate. Other Demo-
cratic Senatora including Overman.
Hoko Smith. OF Georgia; Bryan and
Swanson. also opposed cloture
In the course of hts remarks to-day.
In charge OF the shipping bill why tho
administration was sc opposed TO the
specific prohibition Of the purchase Of
belligerent interned ships
That would not be wise or pa-
triotic course" said Senator Fletcher
and II would be writing into the law
denuncfation OF principle upon which
We always have looked with pride"
OWE TT TO COUNTRY TO
SAVE TT FROM PERIL
That shows that You are looking
for trouble" said Senator Burton. and
that you are willing to make trouble
Senator's on this side owe II to the
country to save it from the peril that
such n bill will bring"
Senator Burton introduced resolu-
lions calling upon the Secretary OF the
Treasury for information as to options
on ,interned ships. and providing for
Senate investigation OF what offers
OF ships for sale have been received
or what solicitations have been made
by agents OF the government for such
offers.
Senator Gore will seek action on
Monday on his motion TO discharge the
Commerce Committee from considera-
tion of his shipping bill substitute
again before the Senate. but would not
stop the flibuster.
The first Democratic speech against
the ship-purchase bill In the House
Was made to-day by Representative
Dies. OF Texas who assailed It as So
cialistic and paternalistic. II do not
want to see this Congress stampeded
in this hour Into the Dead Sea OF 30
cialism." he said, "and l shall not vote
for IT."
DEMOCRATS VOTE
TO LIMIT DEBATE
The Senate Democrats. In caucus to-
night, unanimously agreed to support
an amendment to the Senate rules
which would limit debate No specific
cloture plan was approved, although n
special rule for the shipping bill and
various general amendments have been
offered.
The seven insurgent Democrats who
have voted with tho Republicans on the
shipping bill did not attend the caucus,
and no binding vote was taken.
The caucus unanimously resolved"
said Senator Kern. Democratic leader.
Ito press cloture rule. No vote was
taken. but this was the unanimous
expression OF opinion. and will be
binding on all Democrats except those
who bolt"
Some Republican support is expected.
In the House prepaletions were made
to rush compromise bill through af-
ter II had been approved by a caucus
OF House Democrats next Monday night.
The caucus petition was circulated to-
day, and 1t was said some Democrats
refused to sign 1t.
ITS Ave to one shot there will be
an extra session OF Congress-" was
Speaker Clark's comment tonight.
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