Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-15
HOUSE STTRS HOPE
OF THE DEMOCRATS
Administration Leaders Complete
Plans to Rush Compromise
ship Bill Through.
cIoruRE RULE up IN SENATE
RtrT.I.ETIN.

BULLETIN
WASHINGTON. Fob. f4-senate demo
rats An caucus tsst night unanimously
arrecd 10 support an amendment to the
senate rules which would limit debate.
10 specific cloture plan was approved
although a special rule for the shipping
biil and various general famendments
have been offered
The seven insurEent democratic SEN
aters who have voted with the republic
ans on the shipping bill did not attend
the caucus and no binding vote was taken.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 1t--while senate
democrats marked time in the ship pur-
chase bin fight today, house leaders com
pleted plans for rushing The adninistra-
ton compromise proposal through that
body by the end Of next week. Under a
special rule introduced today the house
would be given only Elk hours to debate
the compromise plan which VIII be laid
before a democratic caucusS Monday night
for approval. No amendments other than
those provided for IN the ruic would be
possible.
In the senate the cIoture rule proposed
by Senator Norris OF Nebraska was stiil
under debate and Senator Burton occupied
the floor virtually the entire session. his
discussion ranging from criticism OF
alleged executive interference with legis-
iation 20 the merits Of various pr0tects
contained In the rivers and harbors APP
preparation bni. Democratic leaders con-
ferrcd on the general subject AZ cloture
today without reaching any decision and
resumed their conference tonight.
The Special Rnie.
Under Representative Padgetts pro-
posed special rtle ths house could dis
pose OF the bill at ono sitting. II Includes
the completed administration ocmpromiss
embracing tha Weeks naval auxiliary
bin, the core shipping bill and an amend
menf cpno6ssng the two ard would abso-
luteiy prevent other amendments. The
caucus Monday night r. expected 20 bind
the democratic majority to support the
bill as party measure.
Democratic leaders were confident the
revised bin would 70 through the house
without serious difficulty. Senate repub-
leans however. asserted the compromise
failed TO eliminate the two principal OBJ
'ectfons and would meet the same OBJ
structions In the senate rs the pending
bin. They asserted the compromise would
permit the purchase Of bclllgorant owned
ships. and would allow the government to
continue indefinitely in the shipping husi-
ness.
Oppose CEotures
While innurgont sexsatn democrats att
tended the morning cloture conference
they were outspokcn IN their opposition
to either special or general rules to limit
debate Other democratic senators in
Guiding Ovefman, Hoke smith OF Georgia,
Bryan and swanson. also opposed
clotura
In she course OF his remarks to-day,
Senator Burton asked Senator Fletcher.
IA charge Of the shipping bill, why the
administration was 90 opposed to the ape
ciflc prohibition Of the purchase OF bel
ligerent interned shlps.
That would not DO wise or patriotic
course said Senator F7etchcr. land Il
would b writing into the law denundsa-
ton Of a principle upon which wa always
have looked with pride"
THAT shows that you are looking for
trouble said Senator Burton, and that
you are willing to make trouble sem
ntors on this side owe II 70 the country
70 save u from the peril that such bin
win bring.
Wonld Fal IN Duty.
We would fail IN our duty n wo did
not oppose 70 the end proposal loaded
with such dangers
Senator Rurtcn introduced resolutions
calling upon the SECRETARY OF the treas.
nry for Information az TO options on IN
sefned ships and providing tor senate
Investigation as 70 what offers or ships
Cor aaie have bsen resolved or what 80
heitations have been made ~ agents Of
the government fof such offers.
senatos Gore viii seek action Monday
ON his rpulion 10 discharge the commerce
committee from consideration Of his shin.
pins bill substitute. which might operate
70 set The matter again before the senate
but win not stop the fiihnnfer.