Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-08
TEST VOTES SHOW
PRESIDENT WINS
Rule to Limit Debate to -Four Hours
Has Majority Of Hundred and
Thirty Three.
FLOOD OPENS THE DISCUSSION

WASHINGTON, March 7.-Presi-
dent Wilson's stand that congress
shall not advise Americans to aban-
don their rights to travel the seas on
merchant ships armed for defense in
accordance with international law
was endorsed in the house today by
two heavy test votes on the McLe-
more resolution.
BY substantial majorities the ad-
ninistration forces defeated attempts
10 amend the resolution to the liking
Of the presidents opponents and put
it squarely before the house without
amendment for a vote under a spe-
cial rule at the end Of four hours de-
bate.
About o'clock this evening the admin
istration forces will move TO table the
MeLemore resolution and the heavy
votes they polled In tho two preliminary
tests indicate that they will kill II by
substantial majority.
VIII Follow Gore Resolution.
Once tabled the resolution will have
gone the way Of the Gore resolution IN
the senate and a majority Of the congress
will have been placed on record before
the world as demonstrating that Il does
not indorse the dissension against tho
presidents foreign policy.
With the agitation finally disposed OF
the president and Secretary Lansing will
resume the submarine negotiations with
Germany.
Galleries FIIs --arIy.
Prospects OF sensational debate at
tracted a record crowd 10 the house side
% the capitol long before the doors
opened. Men. women and children came
ready for long stay Luncheon boxes
milk bottles, opera glasses and books
formed the principal parJ OF their equip
ment. When the public galleries were
thrown open there was rush and the
galleries were filled within five minutes.
The spirit Of combat seemed 70 be in
the air Two negro BARRIERS in the house
barber shop wound up an argument by
throwing toilet water bottles at each
other Both had to be locked up.
Tou submits speech Rule.
Promptly at II o'clock the house assem-
hled for all-day fight Of tho administra-
ton forces 10 kill the ADcIemore resolu-
ton TO warn Americans off armed ships
OF the European belllgerents. Speaker
Clark was IN the chair. and Acting Chair
man Pou OF the rules COMMITTEES was IN
his seat ready 10 submit the special rule
under which the debate will proceed.
A. soon as the journal had been read.
air. Pou offered the privileged resolution
containing the special rule. Mr.. Pou
asked unanimous consent for ninety min
yates debate on the rule There was no
objection and the debate began. Mr.. Pou
took the floor TO open the fight.
The first outburst OF applause from the
house floor came at the outset OF Mr..
Pou's speech. when he said;
''All the imps OF hell never devised A
more infamos lie than the declaration
Aihat has been made that President wiz
SON wants war"
Substitute f. Ready.
Representative Campbell OF Kansas. re-
publican member OF tho rules committee.
announced when Mr.. Pou concluded that
n tho motion to close debate or the rule
were defeated he would offer substl-
tute for the McI.emore resolution which
would be a direct warning 10 Americans
70 keep off armed ships.
II this rule IS defeated" declared Rem
resentative Harrison. democrat, Of Mis-
ttssippi. an administration leader. you
VIII not only send Joy TO tho hearts OF
people IN foreign capital. but you stab
your own presidont In the hack"