Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-08
TOHOLD CAUCUS
ON SHIPPING BILL
Senate Democrats Are to Dis
cuss Provisions of Meas
ure Late Today.
CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS
WITHOUT ANY G. O. P. AID
Republican Threats of Filibuster
Fail to Make Majority Defer
Vote Until Next Session.

The Senate commerce commit
tee went to work today amend
ing the government shipping bill
so as to insure the solid support
of the democrats. A caucus OF
Senate democrats was set for late
today to place the stamp of APP
prevail on the measure, which it
is now planned to pass without
the aid of the republicans.
Senate republicans again yesterday
sought Intellectually to get the demo-
Gratis to defer action on the bill until
the next session of Congress. The lat
ter let it be known that they would
press the measure to a vote, despite
the threats of a filibuster.
Some of the adminstratio ton leaders
proclaimed their confidence that bill
satisfactory to all the democrats could
be framed and passed. Other support
ers of the measure. however. were not
so sanguine. They expressed doubt
as to the possibility of bringing some
of the democratic opponents of the
measure to support a bill which pro-
yided for government operation of the
purchased ships, no matter how re-
stricted. :,
on the other hand, they admitted
that a bill which did not permit the
Government to operate the ships 1t pur-
chased, if reasonable terms could not
be made with private concerns or per
sons to operate them. eVoulo piace the
Government in a ridiculous position.
Some Amendments Agreed Upon.
1t is said that the following tentative
amendments have been agreed upon by
some of the members Of the commerce
committee:
specifc stipulation that no interned
ships of belligerent powers should be
purchased.
No purchase to be made of ships al
ready in American trade.
After organization of the shipping
board and construction or purchase OF
effort must be made either to sell or
lease them to be operated under gov
eminent regulations, and only IN the
event of failure to do this can the
government operate the system Oh IT'S
own account.
The elimination Of the Secretaries OF
the Navy and of Commerce from the
proposed shipping board, to avoid the
suspicion OF pOlltfCdl QOIuludlion u Vic
board.
Coastwise Issue Not Settled.
The question of whether the ships
built or purchased may be permitted
to engage in the coastwise trade is to
be left to the determination of the
caucus
Senators Simmons, Fletcher and Reed.
members of the committee which has
the measure in hand, conferred with
President Wilson today after a meet
ing Of the committee at which repub-
lican members were told plainly that
it would be impossible to redraft the
bill to meet with approval by the
minority. Informal conferences held
later between champions of the meas
ure and democrats inclined to oppose
it resulted in assurances that com
mon ground for agreement could be
reached. and 1t was to inform the
President of this development that the
special committee went to the White
House The President told his visitors
he was much pleased at the prospect.
The President Is not wavering the
slightest in his determination to get
action on the measure at this session."
said Senator Simmons. The passage
OF the bill is very important"