Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-04
Reps. E|ated Over
 Ship Bill Defeat
EXCHANGED CONGRATULATION
 IN SENATE CHAMBER.
GREATEST FIGHT EVER
Senator Fletcher Announced Surren- der After Senator Weeks Had Given Notice That the Republicans Would Talk the Bill to Death.

Washington, March 3.-The end of the long and bitter fight over the govs ernment ship purchase bill came late today in the midst of consideration of the war claims bill in the senate. Sen ator Fletcher, who had led the cham plons of the measure, announced the surrender to the opposition after Sen ator Weeks of Massachusetts had given notice that the republicans would talk 1t to death if it came up again.
 Senator Fletcher had moved that the senate ask the house for further con- ference on the bill.
 Bankhead Forgives Colleagues.
 Then Senator Bankhead, one of the democrats who revolted against the collapse and said he forgave his demo- cratic colleagues for harsh words spok- en in heat of debate against those who had broken away from the party on the issue.
 Republicans Prepared to FiIibuster.
 Senator Weeks recalled the scenes that attended this long hlibuSter by rising behind a huge pile of books and papers and launching into another speech against the bill. He announced that he would speak for an hour or two and read the names of "A other republican senators who were prepared to discuss the measure.
 FleICHST SuFFenUcTS.
 Senator Fletcher interrupted and af- ter reiterating arguments in favor of the bill, and briefly discussing the shipping emergency, said: Tt is perfectly evident, in view of the announcement by the senator from Massachusetts, that it will be impossi-
 ble to pass this bill at this time We have but a few precious hours left in the life of this congress in which to complete important work, and in order that We may proceed to other business I wish to end this discussion by with drawing my motion. which 1 shall not again renew
 Republicans Jubilant.
 As Senator Fletcher took his seat. republican senators who had conducted the filibuster gathered in the rear of Ll.S-- -seadte- chamber and exchanged Congratulations. Senator Root shook hands with Senator Lodge and both turned to grasp the hands of Senators Weeks, Burton, Gallinger, Shoot and others.
 Greatest Fight in Senate's History.
 This ends the greatest fight in the history of the senate,'' Senator Lodge remarked.
 The senate resumed consideration of the war claims when order had been restored, but Senator Thomas of Col orado insisted upon discussing the filibuster. He charged Senator Smoot with having organized the fight which killed the shipping bill and declared that the result of the struggle signalled the end of fllbuSterlng in the senate. In speaking of Senator Stones de- nunciation of the revolting democrats, Senator Bankhead said: His heart is in the right place. His mind sometimes going wrong. I freely and without reserve forgive him." He added that the junior senator from
 Missouri was born kicking and has been kicking ever since," and that he excused" him.
 Both Houses Make Good Progress. Both houses made good progress on the appropriation programme throughout the day and evening. The house, after spending several hours discussing the rivers and far- bors substitute appropriating $30,000,- 00G for existing projects, concurred in the senate proposal and sent the bill to the White House. Both houses agreed to the conference reports on the naval, diplomatic and consular and legislative supply bills without much trouble.
 Agricultural Bill. The conference report on the agri- cultural bill was adopted by both sen ate and house last night. The bill appropriates $22,971, ,522 for expenses of the agriculture department, includ- ing $2,500,000 to fight cattle epidemics. A senate amendment appropriating $3,000,000 for the ppalachian forest reserve was eliminated. The joint committee to investigate the rural credits plan for direct loans to farmers through federal machinery, will consist of the chairman and two l other members of the agriculture and banking and currency committees of each house. They are directed to re- port bill not later than January 1, 1916.
 General Deficiency Bill Passed. The conference report on the gen. eral deficiency bill, carrying approx imately $3,000,000, was agreed to by the senate, 36 to 28.
 Indian Bill Agreed On. The Indian appropriation bill, ag- gregating $9,000,0 900, was finally agreed in cnrferenca ahnllt rnidnight