New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-27
Believes Measure Will Be
Passed Without Seri-
Gus Delay.
SENATOR'S RESUME
FIGHT AGAINST 1T
Republicans Show No Signs of
Weakening to Warrant Pres
ident'S Optimism.

Washington. Jan. % Optimistic re-
ports from the White House that the
Pre- dent is firm in the belief that the
ship purchase bin viii be passed with
out serious delay preceded resumption
Of hostiliDes in the Senate to-day. The
President gave the impression that he
regarded the Republican opposition as
short lived. and believed the bill would
be- passed in time TO permit the Senate
90 dispose Of the appropriation bills,
;hus avoiding an extra session.
There was nothing in the activities
Of the Senate to-day 10 warrant the
optimism Of the Chief Executive. Re
publican. assailed the ship purchase
bin without any signs OF Tagging &C.
termination Senator Gallnger SPOKE
several hours. criticISing the measure
as impracticable, dangerous and mel
Icct;vc.
Earlier in the day the Commerce
Committee which met 20 approve the
work Of the Democratic caucus, re
icctcd the amendment offered by Sen.
stor Lodge 10 prohibit purchase OF
ships OF any Of the belligerent powers.
Although assurances were gwen D!
Senators Simmons and Williams that
informed ships would not be purchased
unless the belligerent powers sane
toned the sale. the Democrats were
frm in opposing amendments 10 that
eject. or anv change in the bill as ap-
proved by the caucus. Some Demo
Gratis who approve Of the purpose OF
the Lodge amendment take the view
that 10 would be unwise 10 make any
formal statement nm the bill which
might be interpreted as an scAnow ed
,ncnt Of the correctness Of the policy
of the foreign powers in this respect
The bill. as revised, WAS reported
again 10 the Senate. One important
amendment permits such government
shiDs as arc American built TO engage
in the coastwise trade.
other amendments provide that the
shipping corporation shall be organ
lied under the laws OF the District OF
Columbia: that the shipping board to
control the enterprise shall consist OF
Tho secretaries of the Treasury and
Commerce and three additional mem
hers. 1.-TWO of whom shall be OF practi-
cal experience IN the management and
operation Of steamships in foreign
trade" and that the capital stock OF
the shipping corporation cannot be IN
creased 70 more than S20.0000OO.
senator Gallnger asSailed the pro-
posal to open the cOastwise trade TO
government ships as an entering wedge
in an effort 20 embark the government
in competition with privately owned
COastwise ships.
Senator Gallinger asserted that a
"qrave change" had come over the
democratic party since 1906, when II
was shocked by Mr. Bryan's ad-
vocacy Of government ownership OF
railroads in speech on his return
from a world tour.
81 do not believe majority OF the
Democratic Senators are IN sympathy
with this bill" said Mr.. Gailinger
"but they are driven TO support II nv
the force Of party discipline and eX-
ecutivc influence
Charges that the Republicans were
conducting % hlibuSter were renewed
in tho Senate and steps were proposed
by Democratic leaders 20 force the
issue by continuing the daily sessions
from N o'clock q. M. until midnight.
This probably will be ordered before
the end of the week.