The Washington times., 1916-05-02
Administration Plan for Early
independence Killed BY
House In Midnight Session.
BILL SENT TO CONFERENCE
Prospect Now Is Split With
Senate May Mean Death OF
Whole Measure.

After the complete rout Of the Admin
istration's forces In the House last
midnight, the Philippine Independence
bill went to conference today with the
prospect that there will be no legis-
iation Affecting the Filipinos at this
session.
DO far % actual independence 10 con-
cerned, the Senate measure providing
that within two to four years the islands
shall be free. 10 dead.
Not only did the House vote down this
Administration proposal, but II tied the
hands OF its conferees so that they can
definite promise Of Independence to the
tIlipinos.
Congressman Fitzgerald of Now York.
leader OF the so-called ''Tammany
charge upon the breastworks OF the Ad-
ministration.
After a Republican Democratic coaii-
ton had rejected the Senate bill and
It's rather vague preamble about inde-
pendence. Mr.. Fitzgerald moved to tie
the hands of the conferees.
Whipped At Every Turn.
Administration forces even attempted
to have the House adjourn to stave on
this nnnl defeat. but the adjournment
plan was voted down.
Shortly before midnight the Fitz-
gerald motion carried. and the Admin
istration had been whipped at every
The Clarke amendment. for which the
President stood. agreeing to the free
dom OF the islands within two TO four
years. was defeated by a vote of 2i3
|to lS. Thirty Democrats voted with
the solid minority against the hill
ment was defeated four times bv the
last SrSt G comm sikfn of f sss %hs 81
the amendment was offered In modiro cd
fo:m, when the nrst vote showed a de-
cided majority against II. Compro mise
proposals to have Philippine independ-
ence within two to six years" or
within four to eight years" were re-
teeted as often as proposed by majori-
ties ranging from 70 to TO-
substitution Of the original House bill
with Its preamble. promising no definite
date for the independence Of the Is
lands. followed these successive defeats
OF the Administration.
First Defeat For Wilson.
The House action represented the Nrst
serious defeat President Wilson has met
at the hands OF Congress. When the
House Democrats held caucus last
week q letter was read from the Presl-
dent indorsing In toto the Senate bill
an9 ufsinE Its tso passage without change.
ing in the defeat of the Clarke amend.
Allen Ohio; Beakes, Michigan; Bruck.
nsr, New York; Carew. New York
and Driscoli. Of New York; Eagan' New
Jersey; Estopinal: louisiana; Farley
f1t1gerald. and Flynn. OF New York
Gallagher, Illinois; Gallivan. Massachu,
setts: Griffin. New York: Hamili ant
Hart, New Jersey: Hubert, New York
McAndrews and McDermott. Illinois
Maher New York; Olney, Massachu
settst O'Shaunessy, Rhode Island: Pat.
ton. New York: Phelan. Massachusetts
hiordan and Smith. New York; Tague
Massachusetts.
As soon as the Clarke amendment hae
peeu defeated the Jones substitute
striking out all provisions or the Sen
Z ate measure and inserting the origina
House bill. was approved without a rol
Mr.. Mann. the minority leader. waved
down his minority colleag CUES when Con
gresham Finley OF South Caroline
soug.,t TO- save the remainder of tn,
krats arose in favor OF a record vote
The preamble OF the Jones bill wa,
adopted likewise. the triumphant Repub
lican-pemocratlc coalition agreeing tina
1t was innocuous.
Fitzgerald Clinches Defeat.
At this tuncturc Congressman Fitz
gerald abruptly wrested the floor from
Chairman Jones. OF the Insular Affairi
Committee. and offered a resolution t,
send the bill to conference and instruc
the House conferees. Mr.. Fitzgerald'!
motion provided that:
The managers on the part OF IN,
House are instructed not to agree /,
any declaration that sets a definite tim,
or hkeE definite period at or within
independence"
The disorganized Administration
forces Immediately sought to forestai
Fitygeralds plan. Congressman Sabati
of Illinois moved that the House nd
journ and in this motion he was sup
ported by Congressman Garrett OF Ten
nessee, who Ind aided Jones In tn,
Aght. The coalition OF Republicans anC
Eastern Democrats again defeated tn,
Administration cohorts and the Hous,
refused to adjourn by vote OF POS I,
The roll call then was ordered OF
FitxGerald's unusual motion to instruc
the House conferees In advance of tn,
conference.
This unusual motion carried by vot
of POS to l54. and the triumphant anti
Administration members nled out o
/, the House and went home In the earl!
v.anSnln0