The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-22
Senator Weeks Makes Sharp
Attack on Wilson
Speech
IN FIGHT AGAINST SHIP
PURCHASE BILL
Senator Believes 1t a Men
ace to the Ma
ton

Washington, Jan. 22-The government
ship purchase bill was before the Senate
again yesterday for discussion, with SEN
ator Weeks of Massachusetts ready to
| take the floor to renew his attack in
continuation OF the Republican filibuster
against the measure,
Senator Weeks is continuing the fight
begun by Senator Burton of Ohio, who
yielded the floor to him late Wednesday
after three days assault on the meas
ure.
"The great voice of America is the
press" said Senator Weeks, referring to
the indianapolis speech of President Will
son, in his speech in opposition to the
administration ship purchase bill. The
senator then stated that he would show
q practical unanimity of the press in OPP
position TO the bill, and he challenged
Senator Fletcher of Florida, in charge of
the bill, to produce witnesses of like in
telligence in character in support of the
measure. Senator Weeks urged the
adoption of his own naval mail bill as a
substitute for the pending bill and said
he hoped the Democrats would keep on
holding caucuses until they got out
bill Republicans could vote for. Discuss
ing the recent report OF the merchant
marine committee of the Boston Cham
Der of Commerce, Senator Weeks paid a
high tribute to the character and ability
of the chamber, and said that its conelu-
sions should be given weight. He read
the report in full.
Turning TO President Wilson's Indian
Ill Il a
people Of the country, judging from press
reports, could not understand how the
president ''could have so far lapsed from
his previous poise and good taste as to
go to the other extreme by indulging in
not only questionable, but the unfounded
statements with which his whole address
was filed. Could there be a more vio-
lent wrench to popular government" he |
asked. "than to have the head Of the ma
tion speaking to the whole country. as.
sorting that those who disagreed with /
him are misled. ignorant, self-assertive |
and misrepresentation No president in /
our recent history has had such support /
on strictly administrative matters from /
senators as the present incum- /
bent of the White House,"
Senator Lodge and Jones are prepared 1
to follow Senator Weeks and other SEN
ators who are getting ready 10 continue
the opposition include Senators Root. /
Smoot, Brandegee, Gallnger
and Nelson.
As soon as the speeches on the pending
bill have been exhausted, the Republicans
plan 20 introduce a substitute measure
Is the basis for a continuation of their
attacks. At that time the Democrats
propose to recess instead of adjourning
rom day 10 day, so as 20 keep the dis
ussion in one legislative day and there /
~ handicap the Republicans under the
ule that no senator can speak more than \
vice on one subject in the same legisla-
i've day.
To meet this situation. the Republi-
ans plan TO offer from time 20 time /,
mendments or substitutes to inject new !
ubjeets for debate.
While the debate in the senate on the 4
hipping bill proceeded yesterday, the !
'enate commerce committee continued /,
be work Of perfecting amendments 20
he measure which were referred 20 Il by +,
he Democratic caucus.
Although the caucus met again on |,
Wednesday night for the third time in an :
tempt to perfect the bill, final decision !.
as postponed until last night. when an !,
Their caucus was held
The commerce committee submitted
be perfected amendments at that time