Arizona republican., 1917-03-07
MAY IF
 ENDED ANYTIME
 BY TWO-T THIRDS
Republican A. p. Leased wire1

lpcChDHOdi fHs r. GcdScO wire WASHINGTON, March 6.-Modiff- cation of the senate rules urged by President Wilson to prevent future fihbusters like the one that killed the armed neutrality bill, virtually was agreed upon tonight by a conference committee of ten senators, five demo- erats and five republicans, named by the party caucuses.
 The change proposed would put the power in the hands of two-thirds of the senators present at any time to shut off debate and prevent diliatory tactics. The committee will meet again tomorrow, probably before the selate conVenes at noon, and is expected to reach a final agreement on a resolu- tion embodying this proposal which was approved by the rules committee several months ago, but which never came up for action at the last session.
 Leaders championing the change ex- pect the resolution to receive the nee essary caucus endorsement and to be presented to the senate as soon as possible for consideration and action. How such a proposal will be received by the senators opposed to any modi- fication of the present procedure which allows unlimited discussion none of the conference committee knew.
 A majority of the senate has long favored the resolution considered fla vorably by the conference committee. and its approval by both parties in caucus undoubtedly would pave the way for it's ultimate adoption Both party organizations working together could make it uncomfortable for any small group of senators who might under take a filibuster.
 The way was cleared to some extent today for any fight which may come up over the rules or over the question of whether the senate is operating now under it's old rules or general par liamentary law.
 Senator owen. leader oe the fight for an absolute cloture rule under which a majority would control debate. 1 brought the subject up by giving mo- tIce that such proceedings as are con- ducted for the present must be by unanimous consent and on the theory that it is a continuing body the sen ate in the past has not adopted ne" rules for each congress like the house of representatives. IT It were com pelled to adopt them ln doing so it would work under general parllamen- tarv law and the majority could adopt such rules as it pleased in short or der.
 Vice President Marshall virtually served notice on the senate today that
 de did not propose to become party
 to any rules fight He declared In con
 nection with another matter that tne
 constitution makes it eNceeGlhsl! plain that the vice president Is a pre-
 siding officer and that he has notflhB to do with the rules beyond seeing lha1 they are enforced
 The democratic caucus indicated its support of the opinion that rules shoull be adopted each session. Ii reelected Senator Salisbury of Delaware presi- dent pro tempore, although he Was elected to that office last session and 1 ordinarily would have held over.
 Both of the caucuses did the usual ore session business, and discussion in 1 the democratic side developed vigorous speeches in which there were decided declarations about the prominence the | west played in the democratic success 1 last fall and the recognition 1t shoulu i receive by the senate majority. Senator Martin of Virginia was | chosen unanimously as majority floor : leader.
 The republicans spent most of their time discussing cloture and 1t became ' affDdlbllI lilLl Mllllt liltSt tA N--N et--A Nt five present were vigorously opposed to a rule which would tie the hands of the minority completely, they might be willing to agree to milder form of re- stricting debate
 Senator Borah, one of the republican conferees. pointed out that the rule under consideration was not cloture
 rule in the usual sense at all, and that l it probably would be seldom invoked | and then only to prevent defeat of l legislation by very few men. This i fact is expected to induce southern democrats who have always feared
 force bill. if cloture were possible with
 republicans in control, not to oppose 1 the change.
 Some of the republicans said tonight l the president could get the armed neu
 trality bill through the senate in three
 days without amending the rules if he , ould call special session.