Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-09
Democratic Senators Reach
"Harmony" Stage Regard
ing Measure. >
enactment THIS SESSION
URGED BY THE PRESIDENT
Matter Referred to Caucus and
Leaders Come to Agreement.
Republicans in Opposition.

An agreement on the government
ship purchase bill. designed by the ad-
ministration to upbuild the American
merchant marine, was reached by the
democratic caucus of the Senate late
yesterday afternoon. This agreement
brings to an end one of the most serious
party divisions which have occurred
since the present administration came
into power A revolt of seven demo-
cratic senators against the ship pur
chase bill at the last session OF Con-
gress made certain the victory of the
republicans who were fighting the
measure at that time.
But while the democrats are finally
agreed among themselves on the ship
purchase bill. the republicans are ex-
pected to fight the bill tooth and nail.
While disclaiming any intention of fill
clustering against the bill. republican
leaders admit that they intend to dis
cuss the bill very fully
Serious Differences "Ironed Out"
Amendments to the measure as IT
passed the House. agreed upon by the
democratic members of the Senate COM
by the democratic caucus. thus ironing
out all serious differences. The sena-
tors who have been fighting each other
over the bill SHOOK hands and decided
to get to work and pass the bill no mat
ter how long Congress must be kept
here to do 1t. President Wilson has
insisted that the bill be put through
at the present session.
Changes proposed by the democrats
of the commerce committee and agreed
to by the caucus do not alter the prin-
ciple of the bill which already has pass
ed the House.
Amendments Adopted.
The amendments include the follow
ing provisions:
The government shall not purchase
any ship which flies the nag of Eu-
ropean nation at war. nor any ship al
ready engaged in American trade. un-
less it is about to be Withdrawn from
that trade.
No ship shall be acquired by the gov
eminent which is below rs per cent OF
it's original efficiency.
The government shall not undertake
to operate merchant ships unless all eff
forts fall to negotiate satisfactory
leases or sales to private corporations
for that purpose. the government re-
serving the right. however, to prescribe
conditions under which ships shall be
operated and in what service they shall
engage.
Among democratic senators who were
opposed to the bill as 1t came from the
House and whose support was won over
by yesterdays action are Clarke, leadet
Of the opposition; Bankhead. Vardaman,
Hitchcock, O'Gorman and Hardwick. The
closing incident of the caucus was dem
onstration of applause when Senator
Clarke shook hands with Senator Stone,
signally the end Of the party struggle.
Authorized to Rush the Bill.
When the amendments had been ap-
proved the commerce committee was
authorized to rush consideration of the
bill and also to draft a provision re-
garding entry of government ships in
American coastwise trade. That issue
was discussed pro and con in the eau
Gus and there was an expression of
opinion by the majority of the demo-
Gratis that government ships should be
permitted to enter into such trade. 1t
was left to the committee to incorpo-
rate a provision relating to this sub
ject in the bill.
Provisions of the House bill relating to
posed shipping board were not amended,
although there had been suggestions for
the elimination of the Secretary of the
Navy and Secretary Of Commerce from
its personnel Neither was there any
amendment to the provision which limits
operation of the proposed system to a
fve-year period following conclusion of
the European war.