Evening star., 1915-12-04
Caucus of Democratic Sena-
tors vigorously" Discussing
Scope of Proposed Rule.
STRENGTH OF ADVOCATES
REPORTED TO BE WANING
Regarded Unlikely That Fight on
Proposition Will Begin at Open d,
ing of Senate

The democratic caucus of the
Senate today is discussing vigor-
ously the question of cloture. In
fact, SO vigorous has been the dis
cussion, which has extended over
several days, that one member OF
the caucus today said that he
thought a cloture rule for the cau-
Gus was as necessary as cloture
for the Senate itself. The caucus
has determined to vote finally on
the question of cloture at 5
o'clock this afternoon.
The supporters of cloture were still
urging the adoption of a cloture rule.
but the strength of the cloture party
seems to be petering out and this aft
ernoon 1T was generally believed that
the cloture rule presented to the Sem
ate for consideration by the democrats
if any-would be a very mild affair.
Program of Cloture Advocates.
It was said that the fight over the rule
would not be started on Monday at
the very opening of the session of the
Senate. as had been planned by Sem
ator owen of Oklahoma. Senator Walsh
OF Montana and other democrats.
They had planned to raise the ques-
tion of whether the Senate was a con-
tinuing body or not. and whether the
Senate rules did not have to be re-
adopted at the opening of each new
Congress. In this way they hoped to
he al b1p amend the rules hv adding
cloture without long debate. But their
colleagues have frowned upon this
course. and 1T is now expected that the
Senate will go ahead with its organi-
zation at the opening session Monday
just as it has done in the past.
Senator Kern, the democratic leader.
has notified Vice President Marshall
| that he need not hurry from his wifes
| bedside in Indianapolis to be present
at the opening of the session SO as to
| preside over the Senate during the
| fight over the new rule.
While the supporters of cloture are
not expected to make their fight on
| the opening day of Congress and also
are not expected to bring up Monday
the question of whether the Senate is
| a continuing body, they probably will
start their fight soon afterward.
1t was pointed out today, however.
| that the old rules would be in effect
| then, and that senators opposed to
| cloture would have the privilege of de-
| batting the question as long they
desired. A filibuster against cloture
| might throw monkey wrench into the
| entire machinery of the administra-
| tion's legislative program.
Republican Senators Give Notice.
Republican senators who favor clo-
ture in the Senate have served notice
on the democrats that they are not to
expect republican support unless it is
specifically provided that the proposed
cloture rule will not apply to any meas
ure which has been acted upon in party
caucus.
| But the administration has hoped for
clotur3 rule in the Senate, it is said.
particularly SO that 1t could put
| through such revenue bills and the ship
purchase bill as it desires. The failure
of cloture, therefore. may mean seri-
Gus upset for the ship bill and other
measures. Some of the republican SEN
ators have conceded that it will be
| impossible to prevent the passage of a
ship purchase bill IL it is taken up in
the Senate soon after the session opens.
However, there is no doubt that such a
measure will meet with serious oppo-
sition not only from republicans, but
also from some of the democrats who
opposed the measure last session.
Provisions in Doubt.
When the caucus took a recess at
$50 today it was freely predicted by
members of the caucus that there
would be no cloture rule by which
mere majority of the Senate could put
an end to debates 1t was said that
rule might be presented to the SEN
ate by which a two-thirds vote could
terminate debate and fix a time to vote
on a measure.
1t was pointed out that rule calling
for a two-thirds' vote to bring about
cIoture was in effect a non-partisan
rule. Senators opposing cloture de-
clared that it was far better to permit
unlimited debate on big issues. and If
the minority filibustered. the issue
would ultimately be determined by the
voters of the country at the next gen.
eral election.
No attempt will be made to bind the
members of the democratic caucus to
support cloture rule.
Cloture for the Senate is belieyed to
be dead by many of those attending the
caucus When the caucus reassembled
after lunch it was with the under
standing that vote would be taken
on the proposed cloture rule and all
amendments not later than o'clock
today.