Evening star., 1915-01-22
STILL F|l|bUSTER
0k|LL SHIP BILL
Republicans Prepare to Talk
Until Session Comes
to End.
DEMOCRATS SEARCH RULES
TO STOP FLOW OF WORDS
Extra Session to Pass Appropriation
Bills Now Seems Inevitable.
Marshall Makes Threat.

The republican filibuster against the
administration ship purchase bill was
in full swing when the Senate met to-
day An extra session of Congress for
the purpose of putting through the an
nual appropriation bills seems in
evitable.
With the exception possibly of three
or four senators. the republicans have
lined up solidly against the ship pur-
chase bill. They will have the sup
port of several of the democrats in
their fight on the bill. Such being the
case, under the rules of the Senate the
republicans probably will be able to
prevent a vote on the ship purchase
bill until after March 4, even If oil
other business is sidetracked in the
meantime.
Once March has come and gone. and
with it the present Congress, the admins
tration may find it has very difficult
task in putting the ship purchase bill
through the House. The opposition in the
House to this measure at pres
ent is very strong. even with an
Overwhelming democrataic majority.
But in the next House. which
comes in after March 4. the democratic
ma jority will be cut down to about thirty
and the President may find that he has a
stupendous task to get the ship purchase
bill through that branch Of the national
legislature.
Asks Unanimous Consent.
AS soon as the Senate assembled to-
day Senator John Sharp Williams
asked unanimous consent that a vote
on the ship purchase bill be taken
next Thursday, but objection was i'm
mediately made by Senator Gallinger.
Senator Townsend of Michigan then
renewed his motion, made just before
the Senate took a recess last evening,
that the civil war CLAIMS bill be taken
up. thereby displacing the ship pur-
chase bill.
His motion was defeated. 3s to 2S
and many southern democrats were
forced to vote against taking up a
measure in which their constituents
were vitality interested.
Senators Camden, Shields and Narda-
man voted with the republicans to take
up the war claims bill, and Senator
Cummins, Kenyon and Norris, republi-
cans, voted against it.
The republicans are primed for the
legislative battle which they have un-
dertaken. Many senators have pre-
pared speeches. and others are getting
together material to place before the
Senate. Senator Root of New York has
Senate tomorrow as soon as he is able
to get recognition.
Seeks to Stop G. o. P. Talk.
In the meantime the democrats are
searching the rules to find some ex-
pedient by which to shut out the re-
publican debate.
Vice President Marshall let it be
known that he will rule a senator has
lost the floor If he ceases his re-
marks long enough for a quorum to
be called. The republicans claim that
such ruling is revolutionary and not
according to the rules of the Senate
The legislative day of January Il
still continues and probably will con-
tinue for some time, the democrats
having adopted this expedient to pre-
vent the usual two hours of morning
business provided for in the rules OF
the Senate. and which would have to
be observed should the Senate adjourn
every evening instead of taking a re-
cess.
Decision of the republicans to con-
tinue their opposition of the bill in
definitely was reached at formal
party conference held late yesterday
Administration senators, aroused over
this action, met the republican attitude
by declaring that the measure would
be kept before the Senate regardless OF
consequences.
Senator Gallinger the minority lead
er. who presided at the conference
speaking for his colleagues. declared
that the republicans generally had
agreed to keep up the fight against the
bill. I'VE have thoroughly canvassed
the situation he added, land find we
have vast amount Of material and
plenty of talent for continuing debate
indefinitely"
At the republican caucus were a ma
jority of the minority senators. in
81, sol ~ ciy
publicans. among them Senators Borah
| Gronna and Bristow. On a motion
| to adjourn the Senate. however, Sena-
tors La Toilette, Clapp and Poindextel
voted with the democrats.
Plan Tactical Fight.
Following the republican conference
the republicans lost no time in adopt.
ing further tactics to embarrass the
cluded his speech, about O'Clock
Senator Smoot of Utah moved that the
Senate adjourn, which necessltated
call of quorum before the demo
| Gratis could defeat it. Senator Town
send of Michigan then moved that the
volunteer officers pension bill be taker
up by the Senate. 1t is understood
| that a majority of the Senate favor'
| this measure, but 1t was voted dowr
| by the democrats yesterday.
part of Senator Townsend to take VI
the war claims bill. in which many
senators from the south are great!
Interested Senator Townsend pointed
ont that this bill had passed the HOUSE
! last March, and that unless 1t wal
acted upon before March next thu
measure would die. Southern demo
Gratis were considerably upset over thl:
motion. Senator stone of Missouri
| moved an executive session. but de
layed his motion to permit Senator