The Washington times., 1915-02-17
Democratic Flank Movement
May Upset vlgi|enoe Of Re.
pubIicans.
SINGLE ROLL CALL NEEDED
Motion to Concur With House
May Turn Tide-Leaders
Fear an Extra Session.

The ship purchase Hill is now UP to
the Senate in new form.
Having failed in the effort to carry
the legislation through the Senate by
frontal assaults. tho Administration
now approaches the Senate by flank
The House ship purchase measure; ta
passed last night. went to the senate
carly this afternoon.
The bill Is still remote from passage,
DESPITE the new situation caused py .ne
House passing the Weeks bill amended
by the Gore ship purchase Dill.
Senate Democratic leaders found to-
day that the bill would have to go to
conference in all likelihood II any prog
ress was to be made on it. They found
Norris unwilling to support section 16 OF
the House bill. They regard TINS sec
tion as contemplating temporary gov
crnment ownership and operation. TheX
not vote to concur in the House bill.
Nor is the bill yet satisfactory to the
insurgent Senate Democrats. They want
a strictly emergency propositlon.
Senate Administration leaders admit
ted the bill would have to 20 to con-
ference.
Thirteen and half legislative days
remain in this session for the Admins.
tration Senators to enact thelr Dill ana
Administration Senators are not ex.
posing their plans, but it is evident that
they fear an extra session may be
needed for their ends.
Possible Procedure.
The bill passed by the House is tho
Weeks naval transport bill, passed
some time ago by the senate, win an
the Gore ship bill. II the Senate should
vote to concur in the House amendment
the bill would be passed. 1t is possible
sat the Dill may rst o. to
The motion to concur Is open TO
amendments but. apart from amend
ments. can be disposed of by single
roll call. Consequently, IL the Repuoli-
cans are to block sucn roll call. they
will have to exercise eternal vigilance
between today and March 4. And II tnG
bill is sent to conference and returned
can be disposed of through a single ioT
The Republicans declare they can pre-.
vent either concurrence or the adoption
lieve Vice President Marshall will coun-
tenance no unfair methods.
The Administration Democrats arc
talking vaguely about springing sur-
made to move the previous question to
shut off debate This would be violat-
ing all Senate traditions.
Expect Desperate Effort.
Senate Democratic leaders arc show
ing great energy in getting supply bills
in a position where they can be jammed
through in the closing days of the
session. Their action has given rise to
rumors that they may send the ship
purchase bill to conference and let IT
remain there. letting the impression &c
out that the Republicans are responsible
for It's defeat. The Presidents predic-
ton that the bill will pass. however
is taken to indicate a desperate Hifort tC
pound the bill through will be made.
With the special committee to investi'
.N4te ship purchase questions ready tc
begin work. Secretary of the Treasury
McAdoo has sent a letter to Senatoi
Fletcher, in which he denies ntimat. on
that he has entered into any negotia
tions with bankers for purchase Of mer
chant ships of belligerent nations.
He says lists of steamers have beer
submitted by J. V. Mccarthy, OF Boston
and B. n. Baker. Of Baltimore. Thes'
include French. English and German
vessels, as well as neutrals. But h
denies that he solicited them. He de
MES knowledge that American Interest,"
have taken options on interned ships.