Gilpin observer., 1915-02-11
WASHINGTON NEWS
BY Edward Heating.

The President has temporarily lost
his fight for an American merchant
marine and the Trust may continue
to collect half million dollars day
in excess ocean freights!
This result was rendered possible
by the treachery of seven Democratic
United States Senators who bolted
their party caucus and Joined hands
with the Republican enemies of the
administration.
In last weeks letter told the
story of the struggle in the senate
to pass the ship-purchasing bill. AS
/ pointed out at that time, the object
Of the measure was to authorize tl'e
administration to purchase ships to
carry freight in the foreign trade. !
This move was expected to produce
two results: the reduction of tie ex-
cessively high freight rates now
charged by the trust and the restor-
alton of "Old Glory" to the seas.
OF course, this plan did not appeal
to the shipping trust. Its profits we're
has shown that in normal times the
corporations making up the trust
earn from 80 to 800 per cent on the
capital invested. Since the war these
profits have been increased at least
100000 a day.
Republicans with the Trust.
The Republican members of the sen
ate-with the exception of La Follet-
te, Poindexter, Norris, Clapp and
Kenyon-stood by tie trust and an
nounced they would talk the bill to
death.
The Democratic senators caucused
and voted to make the bill party
measure and force it through the SEN
ate.
Then began one of the most not
able struggles ever witnessed in the
Senate. The Democratic majority
apparently united and militant, under
took to force the filibustering Repub-
lican minority to a vote. Continuous
sessions were ordered and it became
a question of physical endurance One
Republican senator talked for eleven
hours, but they did not have many
more like him, and it soon became
apparent that, barring accidents, the
obstructonists would be compelled to
capitulate and tie bill would pass.
Then the shipping trust tcrpedoed
the Democratic ship.
On Monday. February |. after Sen
ator Smith of Michigan, Republican
had talked for six hours. he yielded
the floor to Senator Clarke of Ar
kansas, a Democrat.
Clarke Leads Boilers.
Senator Clarke moved the bill be
recommitted to committee. which was
a polite way of killing it.
This was the first intimation that
the Democrats had of tie treason in
their camp.
Clarke was trusted leader. in
fact had been elected president pro-
tempore Of the senate by his Demo
cratic colleague. No one suspected
him of disloyalty to TIE party pro-
gram. A roll call developed that Re
had the support of at least six and
possibly eight other Democratic sem
ators.
These Democrats combined with
the Republicans could control the
Senate. OF course, tie genuine Dem-
ocrats did not give up without bat
tie. They made a gallant struggle.
in fact that struggle is continuing
as this is written, but | do not be-
lieve 1t can be successful.
The Inevitable Clash.
The truth is that the long feared
clash between the progressives and
the reactionaries within the ranks of
Democracy has at least taken place.
II was inevitable. There will be 9TH
er clashes in the House and Senate,
for the men who follow the leader
ship of Woodrow Wilson are not dis
posed to compromise on essentials.
1t Is about time to drive the Repuh-
licans out of the Democratic party
and the Democrats cut of the Repub-
yon, Clapp, Poindexter and Norris
will come to us and Clarke and his
associates may take up their perma-
merit residence on the Republican si6e
of the aisle.
When 1t became apparen. that q
hard-and-fast understanding existed
between the shipping trust-Democrats
and the Republicans. Senators Reed,
Stone, Fletcher and Thomas of Colo
rado on behalf of the majority of the
Democrats, did some very plain talk
ing
III this bill is killed" said Reed
sthan tho uhinnipy ,ru,t ,,.iii .o,t;,