New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-12
HOUSE LEADERS IN
/ SHIP BILL FIGHT
Seeking Way to Force the
Passage of a ComprO-
mise Measure.
STILL AT ODDS
WITH PRESIDENT
Democrats Insist on More
Changes than Wilson Is
Willing to Accept.

from =, Tribune Burs.l
Washington. Feb. 1l.-An armed
.rucN. under cover o. which The Demo
cratic leaders in Congress sought to
reform their scattered forces BY revis-
ing their plans for putting through a
compromise ship purchase bill. pre-
vailed in the Senate to-day. Activities
were transferred TO the House Of Rep
rcsentatives. where the majority lead
or, arc preparing 70 bring in a rule
carly next week making in order the
Weeks naval auxiliary bill, which has
ALREADY passed the Senate. This bill
will be amended by striking out all
after tho cractirG clause and substl-
tutinc the Gore substitute for the snip
purchase bill With the passage OF
such bill! in thu House the admins
tration supporters hone to gain
stTatecic advantage in the Senate by
moving to concur in the House action.
President Wilson served notice on
the Democratic leaders a. the Nhite
House to-day that he would not APP
prove the compromise plan suggested
nv the seven boiling Democratic Sen
,tors. lie also set himself against any
further notifications Of the snip pur-
base bill than those proposed IN the
Gore substitute. II is expected. now
ever. that the Kitchin recalcitrsnts IN
the House will amend the Gore bill by
making il a purely emergency measure
and setting time for the sbandoh-
mont Of government operation OF the
vessels 10 be purchased.
What can be done with measure o.
this character in the Senate Is yet 10
he determined. Democratic leaders are
hopinr the President will accept the
amendment making the bill an emer-
gercy measure. II was obvious AFTER
The White House conference that the
President would not accept an amend
mont prohibiting the purchase OF me
,b;ns O; hcllieerents. He took the
,.icv. il was said By those VINO at
tended tho conference, :hat such an
amendment would constitute IN erect
an abandonment Of the principle con
sistently upheld by the government tn"O
i. had the right TO purchase the yes
sols of belligerents and operate 'hcm
without molestation.
President Gives Assurances.
The President said he was ready 10
give his our assurances that II was NOT
the purposc OF the United States 70
rurcbase and operate any vessels
which might lead 10 international
complications and that nothing Wouio
be dore in carrying out the provisions
Of The proposed bill TO menace the
pcace Of this country.
Both sides in the Senate were con
tent 10 maintain their positions TO
dav without undertaking an aggressive
movement. Democrats lacked the
votes to hold the Senate in continuous
session and Republicans lacked the
votes to displace the ship purchase
bill by taxing up another measure.
The only clash came over a motion
"a recess made By Senator O'Gorman.
senator Kern moved to adjourn. Most
Of the Republicans opposed motion
20 adjourn in order TO prevent con-
sidcration of the proposed cloture rules
tomorrow. The Democrats won b.
vote of ~ to 30, several Republicans
voting with them.
senator Lodge, who discussed the in
te,national phases Of the problem in
volyed in the purchase OF belligerent
ships. made the President target OF
his criticism.
REPRESENTATIVE kitchin, leader OF the
rocalcitraute in the House, was called
10 see the President to-day. He was
accon,panied by Senator'S Fletcher and
Simmons. Mr.. Kitchin bluntly in
formed the President that there was
little hope of putting through the next,
House any sort OF shipping bill. lie
said he would be obliged 10 fight such
a bill. and he showed an Unalterablc
oppositon to an extra session. The
prospective majority leader reluctant
iv agreed not 20 attempt protracted
fight against compromise bill IN this
session.
Wilson and House Differ.
The White House conference devel-
opcd distinct difference between the
President and the House recslcitrants.
The President wants the House to pass
the Gore bill unamended. The kitch'n
contingent demands an amendment
specifying that the ship purchase bill
is temporary eXpedicnt and commit
ting the government TO the sale OF Its
vessels, or their transfer TO the Navy
Department for auxilisries, soon after
the European war ends.
Although the Presidents advisers say
he gill not consent TO such an amend
ment. the House leaders we're prepar-
ing tonight 10 60 ahead and pass the
Gore substitute with the Temporary
operation" amendment. They believe
the President will yield eventually and
take the compromise bill.
NJ TIA EEEY