Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-01-24
Seal of Approval Is Voted by
Caucus of Democratic
Senators. \
GIVEN PREFERENCE OVER
ALL OTHER LEGISLATION
Republicans Assert the Opposition Is
Stronger Than Ever-Bitter
Struggle Anticipated.

the democratic caucus OIL the Senate
late yesterday afternoon. resolu-
tion to this effect was adopted by two
thirds of the Senate democrats, and
under the rules this binds all members
OF the democratic caucus to support
the measure. The democratic leaders
insisted. following the caucus. that the
bill would be kept before the Senate to
the exclusion of all other business un-
til 1t was disposed Of. They predicted
its passage before March 4.
The republican leaders. on the other
hand, asserted that the opposition to
the ship purchase bill was stronger
than ever and that the bill would be
fought at every stage. They said an
extra session of Congress appeared in
evitable in view Of the democrats ac-
ton.
The issue is now clearly Joined, and
unless one side or the other weakena
a legislative battle 1s to be expected
such as has rarely been staged at the
to do all they can to delay action on
the bill and the democrats will use
all their power as the majority to force
vote as soon as possible.
Thirty-Seven in Caucus.
iHITty-SeNen senators altenueu Ine
democratic caucus. it is said. which is
sixteen less than the entire number of
democrats. The leaders, however. ex-
pect the democrats who were not pres
ent to line up for the bill when it
Mississippi. who has declared his un-
alterab1e opposition to the bill, being
the only exception.
When the resolution making the bill
q party measure was voted upon three
senators opposed 1t. Later one of the
three moved that the action be made
unanimous. and this was done. Among
those senators not present were Sena-
tors Nardaman. Hardwick. Camden and
CGorman. Senator Hitchcock of Ne
braska. who attended the caucus, but
who was not present when the vote
was taken. said he hoped to have an
opportunity to vote for some amend
ments to the bill in the Senate
Senator Simmons. chairman of the
finance committee, who led the fight
for the democratic tariff bill when it
was before the Senate. and later aided
and an puisisg sssSNgh the bin
Panama canal tolls exemption of Amer
lean coastwise vessels, pointed out fol-
lowing the caucus that this was the
first time the democrats had adopted
binding caucus resolution compelling
support Of measure by all the demo-
Gratis. He seemed to think that such
action was decisive and put an end
to all talk of democratic differences
over the ship bill.
Test of Majority Rule.
We will now see whether the ma ajor-
ity is to rule in the Senate or not
said Senator Simmons. He said that
the bill would be kept before the Sen
ate and that IL it was not passed by
March 1t would be before next De-
cember. He added he thought that If
the bill was disposed of by February %
the appropriation bills would be passed
and Congress then adjourn.
We shall keep the bill before the
Senate until 1t is passed." said SEN
ator Kern. chairman of the caucus.
There is no disposition to displace
il with any appropriation legislation.
We will urge it as rapidly as possible
giving every opportunity for discus
sion. Whether we shall hold night
sessions or continuous sessions has
not been determined. Much will de-
pend on the future course of the oppo-
sition."
Senator Kern. Senator Stone and
others who fought for an agreement
on the measure declared they expected
the bill to pass before March 4.
Says There Is No Division.
lhere is no DIVISION i'll the demo-
cratic ranks" asserted Senator Owen
after the c,ucus .s,y.r, an,o.
present agreed to support the bill and
- WIN heheeioi'h pe oeiore the senate
as party measure
The principal difference of oninion in
saucus arosa N, Sen.,or ~, ,,-..r,
- -, oai'n
p'oPo'a' 'hd' WIN the restoration OF
normal conoitions at the end of the
european war the government lease
the ships purchased to private corpor-
ating them through a xovernmento ocor.
was defeated after nroIon.sd Snt.t
SoAnPioinAse SAause adopted.
As perfected In caucus III. ,;,,
yides for a shippinR hoard % -.
of the Secretary Of m. Tr...,, ~
Secretary of commerc. AVID -,
i, . -. a,...,
- III" ireeioent
win the consent OF the Senate. This
amendment was a compromise of q
proposal submitted nv Senaor p.,L
head In ~. or,.,;, ,,,,
hoard In n,rni rf,,s nc Sn'pPihs
ed cornoration wo,,id 49,. ,s ~ opos
of the secret,r,es of IT,. .unsis'eG
Commerce AND m. postmas,aS ano
eraI. with no civilian. "e"'