New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-06
PLAN TO
SRELVE SHIP BILL
Democrats Consider Move
to Take Up ApprOpria-
ton Measures.
MAY SUBSTITUTE
THE GORE DRAFT
Truce Called Until Next Week,
After the insurgents" De-
fend Their Course.

IRON Tn. Tribune Bureau
Washington. Feb. Throwing apathy
over the fate Of the shin purchase bill
and the prolongation Of the armed
truce which blocks legislation in the
Senate gave rise to A movement to-
day to sldctrack the measure and de
vote the rest OF the session TO appro-
pria,ion bills.
Several Democrats and one or two
Of tho Progressive Republicans who
have enlisted in the fight for the ship
bill gave their approval TO such a
course Senator Bankhead, chairman
of the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads, is ready TO report the
Postoffice appropriation bill and, &C
cording 10 a plan now under considera-
ton, may move that il be taken up. If
this motion should prevail-and many
regard II as the easiest way out OF the
predicament in which the administra-
ton finds itself the fate of the ship
purchase bill would be sealed.
Administration Democrats were still
on the defensive when the Senate con-
vened to-day, and open discussion IN
the party ranks was renewed. Sena-
tors Hardwick and Nardaman replied
to the criticism Of Senator Stone aimed
at the seven "conspirators,' and Sena-
tor James denounced Senator Camden
as a traitor TO the Democratic party.
Instead of abating, the feeling aroused
by the breach in the majority ranks
appeared 10 increase and the bitter
ness and enmity TO which il has given
rise was accentuated by the speeches.
In preparation for a possible move
by the Democrats, Senator Gore moved
to-day that the Committee on Com
merce be discharged from further con
sideration of the ship purchase bill he
introduced yesterday, which is SINH
lar 20 the caucus measure with the
exception OF two amendments designed
TO gain progressive Republican sup
port.
Under the rule the motion went over
for a day. The Senate having taken
recess until Monday instead of ad
iourninG it will not be possible TO call
up the motion before Tuesday. II is
claimed by the Democratic leaders to-
night that they will have the neces-
sary majority vote TO discharge the
committee from further consideration
Of the Gore bill. They count on Sena
tor Kenyon and one or two insurgent
Democrats TO come TO their aid. Rather
than risk a clash at the present time,
however, the leaders agreed TO pro-
long the lull in the conflict by truce
until Monday. 1t is expected that Sen
ator Newlands's arrival from California
by that time will give them another
vote.
Nurterings of discomfort over the
situation in the Senate were more sig
nifcant. from the point of view of
Lo
Sparring for strategic advantage and
the struggle for reinforcements. II
was pointed out that these signs had
tant legislative fights. Senators on
both sides are dissatisfied with the
jam which has brought legislation TO a
standstIll There are a dozen appro-
priation bills still to be acted upon,
and of the present session only twenty
two days remain. Hope of the enact
mont Of the administration conserva-
tion measures and the Philippines bill
has already gone glimmering
Admission is made, even by those
who have supported the Presidents
fight for the ship purchase bill, that
the chances of breaking a filbuster
with the slender majority now at their
command in the time remaining are
very remote.
Resenting Senator Reeds charges
that the shipping trust was active in
opposing the bill, Senator Hardwick
said in the Senate:
"The Senator from Missouri, with all
the zeal of recent convert, rushes to
defend a position that he thinks the
President now holds and attacks the
position that the President assumes in
public speech and public message.
would be glad 10 read 10 the Senate
some Of these chapters from Reed on
regularity.
AT a time when many OF the Senators
on this floor were asserting that the
President was unworthy of the Demo-
cratic nomination ! was at home cam
paigninG IN my own state and doing my
best in the cause for his election. ! did
not thereby agree to surrender my man
hood to him, my judgment or my prin-
ciples, and ! should never have had the
respect for him that ] have had
thought that he was a man 20 attempt
to require such a sacrifice from any
man.
81 do not know what has led the
President into il. I sometimes think
that the members Of both houses of
him into these things, have unloaded
their troubles and responsibilities on
his broad shoulders. until we have got
situation which, in my judgment, is
unfortunate for the country"
Senator Vardaman declared that he
would not be a mere puppet 10 be
moved when the strings were pulled
from the White House. He denounced
the ship purchase bill, as framed by the
Democratic caucus, as a dangerous
measure, in conflict with the presidents
and principles Of the Democratic party.
Senator James denounced Senators
Camden and Hardwick for disloyalty
TO their party and failing TO live up to
the promises of the party platform
and their own campaign utterances.
For time the Republicans followed
this debate with amusement and inter-
est, but as the day wore on seats were
emptied, and when the motion for
recess was carried there was nothing
In the outward demeanor of the Senate
TO indicate that fight was pending.