The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-25
HOUSE REPUBLICANS
START f|l|oUSTER ON
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Delay Efforts 20 Send Army Reor-
ganization Measure 70 Con-
ference Committee.
SPEAKER CLARK SHARPLY
REPRIMANDS DEBATERs
g. o. r. Members in Determined
Effort 70 Block Philippine indie
pendence Bill--Brtng Up Negro
Question In District.

Washington. April 24.-In a sharp
parliamentary clash. the Republicans
in the House today made clear their
determination to filibuster against the
administrators legislative program.
AS a first step. they blocked action
on land defense preparedness legisla-
ton and prevented all efforts to send
the Army Reorganization bill to con-
ference.
Led by Republican Leader Mann,
the minority wrecked the steam
roller" the first time II has been
brought forth during the present SEES
sion. Democratic efforts TO force the
house to speed up" proved futile
and wasted day was the only result
of the first attempt to override the
Republicans.
VIII Apply the Gag.
Aroused by the tactics of the Re-
publicans, the Democratic leaders de-
termined to jam through a special
gag rule that would send the Army
Reorganization bill into conference
committee for the adjustment OF the
differences between the House and the
Senate. Chairman Hay of the Military
Affairs Committee sought In vain to
secure an agreement. Finally the
Democratic leaders decided upon a
special rule to dispose of the bill.
Republican Leader Mann was de-
termined. IL possible, to put the house
fatty on record on the Senate pro-
posals for a standing army Of ESQ, 900,
for a Federal volunteer army and for
la Federal hydro-electric plant for the
manufacture of air nitrogen
Under the rule presented by the
Rules Committee it would have been
tv<.x, ell .l In
these propositions. The Republicans
started a parliamentary wrangle over
the question as to whether the rule
as presented was not a violation Of
the regular rules of the House. The
Democratic leaders made a vain de-
Tense. After long argument. Speak
er Clark held that the special rule
was not In proper form, and consid-
Grafton of the army measure was pre-
vented.
special meeting of the Rules Com
mittee to frame a new rule In proper
form was called Immediately. The
Republican members. however, de-
ciined to attend. and It was impossible
were then made for a meeting of the
committee tomorrow morning to
frame the necessary rule.
Fight on Philippine Bill.
In order to block the Philippine
Independence bill. which the Demo
Gratis have placed at the head OF the
program. the Republicans began
campaign or delay against District Of
Columbia legislation. They precipitat-
ed a wrangie over the negro question
In connection with bill reorganizing
the Juvenile Court In the capital. The
debate went ON for two hours, and
called forth a sharp reprimand from
Speaker Clark,
You might Just a. well he dis
ciissing the question OF who hit BILLY
Patterson, or who fred the Ephesian
dome, or who was the %as,an In the
Iron Mash." said the Speaker. ssas to
discuss this color question. II you
want to get away from here, my sug-
gestien to beth sides or tbs chamber
Il To leave cut these euperfluous de-
bates, stick TO tbs business before