Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-01-27
Senate Democrats Plan to
Wear Out Opponents of Ship
Purchase Bill.
NOT CERTAIN OF ABILITY
TO MAINTAIN A QUORUM
Republicans Are Not Dismayed by
Prospect of the Test of Ply
sical Endurance.

When the Senate met today 1t was the
Intention of the democratic leaders TO
continue in session until at least o'clock
tonight without recess. in order to force
the opponents of the ship purchase bill to
taIk for ten hours on the measure without
let up.
The republican opponents of the bill,
however are expected to make an atteppt
to force an adjournment around o'clock.
Considerable doubt was expressed i'll some
quarters and by some Of the democrats
themselves as to the ability of the ma
jority TO keep quorum of the Senate
OIL hand after 8 or ! O'Clock.
Republicans Not Dismayed.
Notwithstanding the declaration by
edmocratic leaders that they intended to
compel night sessions and to force the
hand of the opponents of the bill. the re-
publcans did not appear dismayed today.
They still reiterated their prediction that
the bill would not pass at this session of
Congress. They pointed out that SO far
little more than half a dozen of the op
ponents of the bill had spoken on that
measure. though for ten days or more it
has been the unfinished business of the
Senate
Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire,
the republican leader. took the floor to-
day as soon as quorum of the Senate
had been developed and proceeded with
his discussion of the measure.
Kern Serves Notice on Republicans.
Senator Kern. the democratic leader
OF the Senate. late yesterday gave the
republicans opposing the bill fair no.
tice that it was the purpose Of the
democrats to use every parliamentary
means possible to break down the op-
position and to put the bin through the
Senate. He said just before a recess
was taken until today:
1T is fair to minority senators. as
well as to the democrats. to state that
the majority proposes to meet what
We believe to be a fl ibuSter against
this bill by holding night sessions. We
had planned to do so tonight. but the
minority leader. Senator Gallinger, is
tired. and. out of courtesy to him. we
will defer Il session tonight and permit
him to resume tomorrow.
Senator Gallinger declared he did not
wish the impression to get before the
country that he was Il sick man. and
insisted that he was ready to proceed
at once with his speech. The majority
insisted, however. that their decision to
rivo him Il rest should stand.
Lodge Amendment Rejected.
The commerce committee yesterday
rejected Senator Lodges anne endmeut.
which would prohibit government pur-
chase of ships owned by beligerents.
1t will soon have under consideration
an amendment by Senator Jones to pro-
vide that the government purchase no
ships at all, but either construct or
charter them. The democrats Will not
receive the amendment favorably.
Expect to Prevent Vote.
Senator Gallinger. republican leader,
contented himself with saying today that
the opponents of the ship purchase bill
would discuss the measure at length.
There will be no vote the ship pur
chase bill at this session of Congress" in
sisted Senator Smoot of Utah. leading
opponent of the measure. He added that
he thought the democrats would give over
their attempt to pass the bill before long
and would permit the appropriation bills
to be taken up and disposed of to
avoid an extra session.
This pending bill is condemned by
the best thought of the country" said
Senator Gallinger. 1T is almost uni
versally condemned by the commercial
ORGANIZATIONS, bv the business men and
by the great new spapers of the coun-
try. Probably no other measure of SO
mulch importance has ever before been
presented to Congress with so little
support behind it
senator ''allinGcr then read :, number
% editorials from leading newspapers
located III various cities Opposing, the
passage OF tue ship purchase bill
Might Make Use of Veto.
Should President Wilson veto the
Immigration bill. which is now before
hiIn for his approval, il might result
IN considerable delay in the considera-
tion of the ship purchase bill The
bill would be sent back with the
Presidents disapproval. and d motion
would then be in order to override
the Presidents veto.
such motion is debatable in the
Senate and might be discussed for
some time by opponents of the shin
purchase bill. thus delaying considera-
ton of the latter bill.