New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-27
Republicans Oppose Blanket
Bill Giving President
Broader Power
Want Course Sharply
Defined in Measure
Threaten Extra Session Un-
less He Consents to
Modification
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Feb. Zo.-Wlth TIE
Democrats trying to force through
almost a literal excerpt from the
Presidents message in the form OF a
bill giving the President a blanket
grant of power and providing $780,
600. 900, and the Republicans seek
ing to limit and sharply define the
grant of power, only two courses
seemed possible tonight. These are;
|. That the President will con-
sent to a modification of the bill
which he virtually drafted himself
so that it will give him the power
to arm or convoy merchantmen. The
"blanket" clause would be ellmi-
mated. This is the clause "to en-
ploy such othe. instrumentalities or
methods as may be necessary and
adequate to protect our ships and
our people in their legitimate and
peaceful pursuits on the seas" zine
full text of the bill will be found on
Page 2.)
2. That the Republicans will force
an extra session by preventing the
massage of the resolution and per-
hans of some important supply bills.
LA TOILETTE OPPOSES ARMING
Even in the first case allowance
must be made for the possible recall
citrance of Senator La Toilette and
his pacifst followers. Mr.. La Fol
lette declared to-day he would talk
a long time on the naval bill when
il came up. He is desperately op-
posed to arming merchant ships, and
has a resolution pending which
would declare it illegal.
The sentiment for an extra ses-
sion of Congress has grown enor-
mously in both houses and IN both
parties in the last few days. 1t
probably is safe to say now that a
majority of Senate and House wish
it. And it was pointed out by such
men as Senator Borah, of Idaho
(Republican), and Representative
Smith, of New York DemocraD,
that the new Congress could be as
scmbled in a very few days. The
extra session sentiment was IN
creased rather than diminished by
the Presidents speech.
The desire on the part of the Re
publicans for an extra session seems
to be growing all the time. 1t was
manifested to-day not only in inter-
views and statements, many of which
are printed on another page, but IN
a resolution introduced in the House
ty Representative Fess, of OHIO.
This resolution would fix the date for
the converting of the next Congress
as April 2. The effect of 1t would
he TO force an extra session of Con-
press whether the President desired
it or not.
FIGHT EXPECTED IN SENATE
The real fight on the Presidents
bill is expected in the Senate. Chalr-
man Henry of the Rules Committee
assured Chairman Flood Of the For
eign Affairs Committee that there
would be no difficulty in getting a
rule limiting debate so. that vote
could be forced in the House if de-
sired tomorrow night or Wednesday
The bill will then go to the Senate.
The House Foreign Affairs Commit
tee will meet tomorrow morning to
consider the bill.
The probability seemed to be to-
night that the Administration would
Weld IN the blanket" authority
clause. and the entire measure would
then b. passed, despite the outcry
of the pacifsts. This is based on the
known desire of the President TO
avoid an extra session, plus the de-
termination of the Republicans not
to surrender to the President what
they regard as a virtual authorlza-
ton to declare war.
The same spirit which inspired the
ilibuster of last week is still pres
cnt, and the timidity which caused
lis abandonment late Saturday night
has been at least moderated, if not
entirely swept away, by popular sup
port from unexpected quarters.