The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-22
MINORITY DECIDES !. ID FIGHT MARINE
 BILL ID THE FINISH
Republican Caucus Deter mines Opposition to Meas ure Will Be Kept Up Un-
 til March 4 if Necessary

Washington January M.-Repubican senators determined at a conference late today to fight the governments ship pur- chase bill with all tie resources at their command, continuing the opposition until March if necessary or in an extra ses- sion should one be called.
 Immediately after the conference the republicans got in action. Senator Shoot moved that the Senate adjourn. That was defeated. democratic members. most of whom had been absent while Senator Weeks concluded speech against the ship bill, hurrying fin on a quorum call Sem atqrs Lodge and Root served notice that they would speak on the bill.
 Senator Townsend then moved to take up the volunteer officers retirement bill and the war claims bill. Both his mo- tions were defeated
 Tt was the consensus of opinion,'' said Senator Gallinger. regarding the repub- lican conference, that we should keep up the fight against the ship purchase bill. We have thoroughly canvassed the situa- ton and we find we have vast amount of material and plenty of talent for con tinuing debate indefinitely. How long it will require to get our arguments against possible to predict"
 Not Conducting Filibuster
 We are not conducting a filibuster.' said Senator Burton, who yesterday con cluded three-days' speech against the bill. "Surely no one thinks I was fili- bt ista I box b ,uto l rr-s, material"
 Senator Williams, debating the motion to take up the war claims bill, declared the republicans were attempting to appeal to purely sectional feeling upon this side. The thought that such a programme could be successful, he said, was founded in the arrogant assumption of the average republican that the average democrat is a fool"
 Senator Gallinger objected to the charge of arrogance as a violation of senatorial propriety. Senator Williams said he cer- tainly was permitted to style the repub- liean party as arrogant as the repub- licans invariably styled the democrats as fools. He said the statement that there was no filibuster in progress was laugh ap1t III NleW Ol t1e Iact Lnat IepuDllCan senators had decided at Q conference not to permit vote before March 4.
 Denies Agreement
 Senator Galinger denied that any such agreement had been reached. Senators op- posed to the bill, he said, held an in formal conference and reached the con clusion that this bill should be debated at length
 What do you mean by at length?' !" asked Senator Williams
 Until they are satisfied that the sub ject has been laid fully before the coun- try" replied Senator Gallinger
 Democratic senators tonight held their fourth caucus to perfect the ship bill. Senator Kern, majority leader; Senator Fletcher, in charge of the bill, insisted it would be kept before the Senate regardless of consequences.
 In urging his motions to take up other bills, Senator Townsend charged that the democrats themselves were fllibuster- themselves while republicans were speak ing
 Senator Weeks, whose speech occupied most of the day, read a score of editorials from newspapers he said had supported the administration, but now opposed the Presidents shipping plan. He also read a long report on the government owned railways in foreign countries to support his contention that government projects Were incapable of operation as economical ly as the same projects under private ownership.