The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-25
Democrats Give Pledge for
No Revenue Bill Vote In
til Wednesday Night.
BITTER PARTISAN DEBATE
John Sharp Williams Assails
Opponents-Lodge Criti-
cises Wilson'S Delay.

|
broken down only when Republican
leaders directing It got a pledge from
the Democrats that the Administration
revenue bill would not be urged to O
vote until Wednesday. The Democrats
facing what they declared was Re.
publican attempt to break down the
Administration programme and force ar
extra session Of Congress after March
=, had threatened to keep the Senate ir
continuous session over Sunday II tha,
| were found necessary to secure passage
OF the revenue measure.
During the afternooA and evening thu
debate went far afield from revenues and
hot exchanges between the Democrats
and Republicans led into dramatic dis
cussion Of the international situation and
Of President Wilson's policy in the sub
| marine crisis
For a time It seemed certain that ths
parliamentary struggle would prolone
! the session at least we'll into Sunday, blu,
| late at night some of the leaders on the
Republican side let It be known that the,
did not favor carrying the fight to the
extent of embarrassing the country by
, killing the revenue bill and thus weak.
i ening its preparation for defence.
Both Sides Agree.
! After two or three peace proposals
! had been rejected by the Democrats
the Republican leaders submitted the
proposition for 4 vote Wednesday night
at 3 o'clock on condition that in the
meantime appropriation bills may be
brought up by unanimous consent. The
Democrats accepted. believing this ar
rangement gave them n chance to save
enough Of their legislative programme to
! avert an extra session.
There was no understanding. how.
ever. as to what the Republicans nigh,
do with other bills other than the rev.
enue measure in case some of then
| should hold to their determination tC
force an extra session in order to have
Congress in session for development.
| in the European emergency.
Several Senators pointed out that q
vote on the revenue bill Wednesday
would not mean that an extra session
| would necessarily be avoided. Aside
from other legislation three Of the mos
| important supply bills the navy, army
and sundry civil, carrying altogether
| close to billion dollars. have not beer
| taken up at all In the Senate. There IL
| certain to be some discussion By Sen
ators with pacifst tendencies OF botf
the navy and army bills.
Toward the close of the day, after the
heated debate over the International sit.
uation had subsided, Chairman Simmons
of the Finance Committee bitterly as.
sailed the Republicans for their filibus-
| ter.
I'VE are witnessing here" said Sena
tor Simmons, "the most determined MI.
buster l have ever seen In the Senate
If this revenue bill shall fail and as a
result the great programme to put this
country in condition OF defence /,
held up and suspended for another yea,
I think 1t due to the American people
that they should know who is RESPONSE
BILE for such miscarriage Of this grea,
purpose on the part of the Government
4, We are told this is not n filibuster
The Senate knows. and the countr,
knows. it is a filibuster to defeat th'
revenue bill carrying taxation amounting
| to 100000, OF which $226, 900 Il
placed on the backs OF the great ricl
and powerful corporations"
| Senator Penrose. ranking Republican
Of the Finance Committee, replied with
a declaration that there Is absolutel.
no intention on the part Of the minority
to defeat the Revenue bill
Lodge Answers Williams.
Senator John Sharp willamss attaci
on the Republicans started bitter par
t!san debate. Mr.. Williams charged
that the Republicans We're carrying on
hlibuster to defeat the revenue bill ant
to serve the interests OF the manufac
turers OF munitions who had contributed
to their campaign fund and ascribec
other motives to them that aroused Sen
atOr Lodge. who handled the Admins
tration without gloves.
AT the conclusion of Mr. LODGE
speech Senator Lewis OF Illinois replied
severely to Mr.. Lodge. charging hin
with 'masquerading In the garb OF pa
tr!ot while In reality IL hypocrite,' de-
claring that he had never given this
! President loyal support in the Senate un
til that support seemed to lead in the d.
rection OF an alliance with Great Brit
| ain, and generally assailed MI. Lodge
personally.
Because Mr.. Lodge showed lack oi
interest In the remarks OF the Senator
f, from Illinois by retiring to the cloak
room Senator Lewis insisted that 1t wal
sachusetts to retire to the cloakroom t.
I w., al