New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-08
Senate Caucuses
Agree on Rule to
Future Filibusters
Measure Approved by Wilson
Will Be Introduced To-day
and Rushed Through

tlOSnit iLAf III NUt A'NuoN' 90 no NNtNN
to-day when, with virtually no opposi-
tion, both Democratic and Republican
Senate caucuses approve the same
rule. This will make impossible such
action as the talking to death OF the
armed neutrality bill. The rule will be
int. oduced tomorrow by Senator Hoke
Smith, and the Senate will devote its
time exclusively TO this measure until
it is adopted.
The agreement on one measure by
the caucuses OF both parties is virtu-
ally Unprecedented, and is regarded as
the most remarkable manifestation of
disapproval Of last weeks unpatriotic
talkfest which could possibly be given.
To-day's action makes it reasonably
certain that the rule approved will be
passed. and paves the way. when the
President calls an extra session, for
pushing through the armed neutrality
bill and any special defence legislation
desired.
It also insures the Administration
from a flibuster against declaration
Of war on Germany, when that time
comes, if it should be forced by the
long-expected overt act.
Limits Speeches to One Hour
The closure rule is liberal. II pro
vides that at any time sixteen Senators,
by serving notice il. writing on the
presiding officer, can demand vote as
to whether debate shall be limited.
Two days later the question is put,
without debate, and two-thirds vote
restricts the subsequent deoate TO one
hour for each Senator. No dilatory
motions can be put after that, and no
am m.ndments or substitutes can be CT
fered except by unanimous consent
The idea Of the last amendment is to
prevent flibusterng by proposing
countless amendments. with demand
in each case for a record vote.
Early TODAY the SIX Democratic mem
bers of the joint committee on closure
appointed by the two caucuses Jester
dav went to the White House at the
Presidents invitation. They came back
with the Presidents approval for the
rule as agreed on By the joint cora
mittee. Later the committee shaped
the final draft and reported back to the
two caucuses, which adopted it with
little debate.
The final vote Of the Democratic
caucus was said 10 have been unani-
nous. even Senator Stone. who played
such a prominent part in the talkfest
against the armed neutrality bill, vot-
inc for il by proxy. Stone wrote 10
Senator Reed. saying that he could not
be present. but that he favored closure
and wanted Mr.. Reed to cast his vote
for il.
Text Of the Rule
The text Of the proposed rule is as
follows:
provided however, that il at any
time a motion, signed by sixteen Sena-
tors. to bring TO a close the debate
upon any peNulNs ihtoSuiS - PiN'N'.
20 the Senate, the presiding officer shall.
at once state the motion TO the Senate,
and one hour after the Senate meets
on the following calendar day but one
he shall lay the motion before the
Senate and direct that the secretary
call the roll, and. upon the ascertain
ment that a quorum is present, the pre-
siding officer shall. without debate. sub
nit to the Senate by an aye-and-nay
vote the question:
"'Ts il the sense of the Senate that
the debate shall be brought TO a close +"
"And il that question shall be de-
cided in the affirmative by two-thlrds
vote of those voting, then said measure
shall be the unfinished business TO the
exclusion of all other business until
disposed Of.
"Thereafter no Senator shall be en-
titled to speak in all more than one
hour on the pending measure, the
amendments thereto and motions af-
fecting the same. and il shall be the
duty of the presiding officer TO keep the
time of each Senator who speaks. EX-
cept BY unanimous consent no amend
ment shall be irAorder after the vote TO
bring the debate 70 a close, unless same
has been presented and read prior to
that time. No dilatory motion, or dila-
tory amendment or amendment not
germane shall be in order. Points Of
order, including questions Of relevancy
and appeals from the decision of the
out debate