The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-19
iNSURCENT DEMOCRATS RE-
FUSE TO SUPPORT HOUSE
SHIPPING MEASURE
FAILS TO GAIN
GROUND in SENATE
Republicans Willing to Quit Fill
buster If Appropriation Bills
Are Taken Up

yin, rcO. uC
amended government ship bill, rushed
through the house early today, failed
to gain any ground when 1t reached
the senate and administration leaders
tonight were uncertain as to its fate.
Eary in the day it was discovered
that the amended bill had failed to sat-
isfy recalcitrant Democrats or pro-
gressive Republicans. Without sup
port of either of these factions the
bill could not be passed. Democratic
leaders realized nothing could be done
unless the measure could be chang
ed in conference, but efforts to send it
to conference failed. Another attempt
will be made tomorrow. 1t was said.
Tonight 1t was reported that pend
Ing motion to take up the bill tomor-
row might prevail. but Republican
leaders. it was declared. would insist
upon an understanding that other leg
islatiOn should be considered before
they would cease opposition.
Chief interest conferred today in the
special senate committees inquiry in
to charges Of outside influences on the
ship purchase measure. Bernard n.
Baker. Baltimore steamship mana
ger. told the committee he had in
formed Secretary McAdoo that 80 per
cent. Of foreign ships tied up in United
States ports. as a result of the war
were available for purchase because
unsuited for commercial purposes.
Mr.. Baker also stated w. j. Sickel.
a neutrality-suspicious. Line official.
had told him he received orders from
the German government not to sell
any German vessels to the United
States. The committee summoned Mr..
SickeL who will appear tomorrow.
Wallace Downey, New York ship
builder, also was summoned.
AS to the ship purchase bill itself,
Republican lesilers. insisting 1t Is
dead. express willingness to quit their
flibuster IL the senate will take up
appropriation hills. Administration
Democrats were said to be willing to
do this IL the shipping bill first could
be sent to conference. Negotiations
Tor an understanding were under way
toh.:ht and may culminate when the
senate meets tomorrow.
Senator'S Norris, Kenyon and IaFol-
lette. progressive Republicans, who
favored the senate bill, would not sup
port the Weeks-Gore measure as It
passed the house because they belly.
ea Il tn be too temporary Il character.
lnsurgent Democrats opposed the
measure because they thought Its
character too permanent. Senator
Harwick sought to amend the motion
to send the bill to conference with
the instruction that It be made ternI-
naple two years after the war. This
was defeated with progressive Repub-
1ican, votes.
Despite the uncertainty of the SIT
uation. senate and house leaders fell
confident there will be no extra sea-
sion or congress and that the shin
purchase bill. II not sent to confer
ence. would be displaced in thu sen.
ate by appropriation bills. The re.
port peraists that as many of the sun
ply measures that as can be passed
before March 4 will be disposed Of
and that Joint resolutions Continuing
existing appropriations for other do,
partments will be adopted wherever
necessary. Gs.R ~
Administration leaders held a lonr
conference late In the day and con-,
stdered several proposals Co the d..
publicans for ending the filibuster hv
sending the bill TO conference NJ
agreement was reached, however anS
tne democratic leaders sought to boid
the senate In session for the nirht Il
'tninking this might bring about some
compror .s, They were unable IN cat
progressive Republicans to atand ,ui.I.
mem ana motiaon to adjourn car
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