The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-30
DEMOCRATS CONFER
ON GAG RULE PLAN
Preparations Are Made for the
Opening Of Congress
Next Week.
BIG NAVY MEN IN FEAR

wAsniNGroN. Nov. 29.-Preparations
for the opening of Congress On Decem-
Der 8 got under way to-day when the
Democrats of the n met In party
caucus and tho Democratic Committee
on Committees In the House held It's
first session.
With the gathering OF tue Democratic
Senator's in caucus the question OF the
adoption of cloture In the senate I'M
mediately assumed first Importance. The
matter was not formally discussed. but
1t was apparent that this was the aues-
ton uppermost in the minds OF senators
and that II will cause the first big strus-
gle at the opening of Congress.
II already appears that the proposal
TO bind the Senate by cloture IL meeting
with p,Osition In some Democratic
quarters. Southern Democrats recall
that It was the right of unlimited debate
which alone prevented the passage of
the so-called force bill. and they are
fearful that with cloture adopted the
time will como when tho Republicans
will again attempt to regulate by Fed
eral statute the conditions under which
elections shall be held In the Southern
States.
The Democrats have been Informed
that IL the Democratic party insists
upon limiting debate in the Senate the
Republicans will yield after "A reasonable
fight. They have been told further. how
ever, hat the cloture rule would not be
repeated when a Republican Senate is
elected until after "A force bill md been
passed.
Affects southern Democrats.
Tl,,- ,,t, r-.s,. ,,,.. la
having an effect upon Southern Demo
Gratis. who are disposed to look forward
to the future. Many Democratic Sena-
tors are now outspoken in their opposi
ton to cloturc. and although there Is
every indication that a strong effort. en-
couraged by the Administration will bs
made to apply "A gag In the Senate. theDe
is considerable doubt whether 1t will
succeed.
Forty-seven Democratic Senators met
in to-day's caucus. The caucus re-
elected Senator John W. Kern of In
diana as Its chairman and Senate Pit
mar OF Nevada a. secretary. Mr.. Pit
man came by this honor because senator
Salisbury Of bel declined to stand
for reelection as secretary.
After these organization formalities
the caucus adjourned until Wednesday.
In the meantime the cloture committee,
VI WILMA il1 " VI -
Chairman. will try TO work out some form
OF cloture rule that will be acceptable TO
the Democratic caucus.
| There was an expectation hat a fight
would be made In the caucus against tn.
reelection OF Senator Clarke OF Arkansas
as president pro tempore Of the Senate.
Senator Clarke has not met the eXpecta-
tions of the President and Secretary
McAdoc In all things and Administration
| Senators ln 10 lgap ypnfsaripv Tr,si-
dent Wilson. however. has caused the
word to 40 out hat he is not seeking
to have Senator Clarke jettisoned. There
Is still some opposition to him, hut Il is
predicted that odd Cotton Top us his
political admirers call him.. will again be
chosen for the presiding officers chair.
Outlining the Com mittccs.
Administration etders aad friends OF
the navy are greatly Interested Ia tn"
work OF tho Democratic Committee Oh.
Committee, headed by Representative
Kitchiu OF North Carolina, who j. an
avowed opponent Of the Administration
national defence programme. 1t Is pos
sible for this committee to So pack
the Houce Committee on Naval Affairs
80 TO render difficult the task OF the d.
minIstration in getting increased appro-
prLltions for the navy, The naval COM
mittes Is composed of twenty-one men,
hers Fly. Democratic vac,nr,es Az "a
hs fIIed
As the Naval Committee now s,,,,s
IL is about evenly diyed.d between tn.
big navy men and the little" navy
men. The former advocated NOR, ,tn.r m
lamentations in practically every
branch OF tho ser,Ice. The ~.lI,tl," n,yv
men refused TO support an authorizn.
ton for more than one battlcship and
sh.N unill have rni,tcal rnthar cha,
have increased appropriations In o,her
directions. Ii Is feared that In making
assignments on the COMMITTEES the bal.
ance between the two schools OF thought
on the defence question may be turned In
opposition 70 the Administr ration pro
grimme.
II is understood such little" a v
advocates as Representative Hensley OF
Missouri have been active IN an attempt
70 Sc 'n't no 'hor' pig navy naef