Evening star., 1915-02-02
White House Conference Fore
casts Refusal to Purchase
Certain Ships.
WILSON COURTS AID OF
SENATE PROGRESSIVES
Clapp Refuses to Discuss Bill With
President on Ground of Execu-
tive Interference.


European belligerents. was forecast at
the White House today after a con-
ference between President Wilson and
progressive republicans. The Presi-
dent indicated the administration was
ready to make some concessions.
While the Senate democrats were in
caucus. President Wilson called Sena-
tors Kenyon and Norris. representing
the progressive republicans, for a con-
ference at the White House. Senator
Clapp was summoned later AS the
need of votes from their wing Of the
the revolving democrats seemed neces-
sary to the success of the bill, some
understanding on amendments to sat
isfy them was discussed.
Senator Clapp Refuses.
Norris and Senator Kenyon willing to
discuss with him the ship purchase bill,
Senator Clapp of Minnesota is under
stood to have practically told the Pres
ident that he did not care to discuss
cred it would be executive interference
in the consideration of business before
the Senate. This is the first time that
any member Of the Senate has express
himself, it is said, although many SEN
ators have on the floor denounced the
Presidents alleged attempts to inter
fere with the course Of legislation be-
fore Congress.
The democratic supporters Of the ad-
ministratfon ship purchase bill rallied
today in an effort to prevent the defeat
of the bill. Every possible course to
turn the tide in the Senate again in
favor of the ship bill was tentatively
tried out
The detection of seven democratic
senators late yesterday afternoon and
the failure of all except one of the re-
publican progressives to support the
cratic leaders.
Conferences Held.
Conferences were held by all the par
ties and sections Of parties interested
in the bill. The democratic caucus Of
the Senate met at 10 o'clock and can
vassed the situation. Not one Of the
seven democrats who yesterday fay-
ored recommitting the ship bill at
tended the caucus. committee was
selected by the caucus to approach the
recalcttrant democrats and also the re-
publican progressives who were sup
posed to favor a ship purchase bill. and
to ascertain just what concessions in
the way of amendments were neces-
sary to win back enough votes to pass
the bill through the Senate. The COM
mittee appointed consists of Senators
Fletcher. Martin and Simmons.
At the same time, the democrats who
have set themselves up against the ad-
ministration in its attempt to force
through the ship bill held conference,
and a conference was held by republican
leaders in Senator Gallinger's Office
Democrats Count Noses.
But while it is said that the Presi-
dent would agree to changes in the
bill, the democratic cancus of the
Senate was counting noses to see
whether they would not lose as many
votes as they would gain by accept
ing such amendments. 1t is known
that Senators Hoke Smith of Georgia
and Bryan of Florida have served mo-
tice that they Will not support the bill
if it provides for permanent govern
ment ownership, and other southern
democrats are known to oppose such
a plan also. 1t would be of little ad-
vantage for the democrats to win over
a few of the republican progressives,
it was said, if they were to lose a
number of democratic votes also.
Republican leaders insisted today
that the only progressive republican
in addition to La Toilette who would
quested by Senator Norris would be
Senator Norris himself. They declared
that Senator Kenyon and Senator Clapp
would not vote for the bill finally.
Say Bill Will Not Pass.
Whatever the outcome of the scram-
BILE of the democrats to win back votes
for the ship bill. the republicans de-
clared that the ship bill would not be
allowed to pass at the present session.
They pointed out that the republic
cans opposing the bill would be in far
better position to talk the bill to death
now than they were before adjourn
ment was~taken last evening. new
legislative day has begun. and senators
who have spoken on the bill will be
at liberty now to begin all over again.
The democratic caucus of the Senate
adjourned at noon today until o'clock
tonight, when another effort will be
made to get together on a bill that
will carry enough votes to pass.
In the meantime the special COM
mittee to confer with democrats Off
the reservation and with republican
prosressives was very busy.
One Possible Course.
A tentative suggestion was made in
the caucus that the motion made by
Senator Clarke Of Arkansas, democrat.
yesterday to recommit the bill, should
be allowed to come to vote after the
motion had been amended so as to pro-
vide for an immediate report from the
committee. after certain amendments
had been made. This course may be
followed.
In the meantime the unfinished busi-
ness of the Senate today was the
Clarke motion to recommit, which the
democrats do not intend shall come to
vote until they have enough votes
to defeat 1t, or amend it. The fibuster
today was conducted by the democrats
and not the republicans. and was di-
rected against the Clarke motion
Confident OF Passage.
Senator Simmons and Senator Kern,
two of the democratic leaders, said to-
day that they were confident the ship
bill would be passed by the Senate.
II an amendment to the bill is agreed
to prohibiting the purchase of interned
ships now owned by belligerents, it
will be of such general nature, Sena-
tor Simmons indicated. that it. would be
laccepta BILE to the administration.
Senator Poindexter Of Washington
Il may vote for the ship bill yet it II
! (Cont{nued on Twelfth PaEeD -