The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-06
WILSON THREAT ON
SHIP PURCHASE BILL
Extra Session Of Congress Prob.
able il the Measure Fails
to Pass.
FILIBuSTER Is SUSPECTED

WAsnrNGToN. Jan. 5--That the Nd
ministration will force through the ship
purchase bill. even n an extra session is
required after March 4, was frankly
lntimated In the Senate to-day by Senator
Stone OF Missouri. chairman OF the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee and an Ad-
minstration leader.
Senator Stones suggestion OF an extra
session threat was supported by remarks
made by the President himself to-day.
While insisting that nobody was thinking
now OF n special session. Mr.. Wilson said
the failure To pass the ship purchase bill
might make a difference. as the need OF
it was pressing.
The measure did not come up for dis
cussion in the Senate to-day. Senator
Smoot OF Utah was discussing at great
length items in the urgency deficiency APP
precipitation bill when Senator Stone de-
manded to know II he were conducting a
filibustcr
From the methods OF some Senators nm
tho other side" said Senator Stone. II
am forced to the conclusion that this is
IA fllibuster being conducted against the
'Hip purchase hllls WANT ~ say 10 tue
senators who are seeking to prevent the
passage OF that measure that their ac-
tons will avail them nothing. There
will be plenty OF time between now and
next Christmas for the passage OF the
appropriation bills and the ship purchase
bill too"
Between now and Christmas" inter-
rupted Senator Smoot.
Yes. between now and Christmas
1915" retorted Senator stone.
But don't forget the fourth OF March
| intervenes." suggested Senator Lodge of
Massachusetts,. one OF the most determine ed
opponents OF the ship purchase bill.
There Will be plenty of time after
March l." persisted Mr. Stone avoiding
the use OF the words extra session"
But do not forget that another Con.
gress will come IN on March T." reminded
Senator Lodge.
/ And ! regret very much to say tina,
one Senator who has talked at great length
! on this amendment Will not be here "a
oppose the ship purchase bill after March
| g. said Senator Stone. abiding TO Soma.
tor Root Of New York. who smiled broadly
At a special meeting OF the Senate CON.
merce committee to-day the amendments
to the bill proposed yesterday by Senator
stone were adopted.
These amendments provide hrst that the
ships to he bought. built or operated under
the ship purchase bill Will have no ad.
vantaEes over ordinary mercantile YES.
sells. Thus they would not have the right
to clear from a foreign port without clear
ance papers, as Is now the case with GOV.
eminent owned ships. Senator Stone be.
| lieves that this amendment would prevent
any peculiar foreign complications
The other amendment would not onl,
prevent any cOntraband articles from
| being carried on the Government own ed
line. but would also attempt to bar pri
vately owned ships flying the American
! flag from carrying contraband. Thu
amendment provides for an examination
| OF all cargoes on ships hyiEg the Ameri
can flag TO any foreign country In tim,
OF war.
Senator Lodge introduced an amend
ment which would prevent the United
| states from purchasing ships flying IN,
flags OF any belligerent nations. As thi.
| would make u necessary to wait unit
ships could be built It was said by al
Administration Senator .o-nlght Il is no
| likely that II will receive much consdera
| tlon.