New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-07
Joint Committee of Eleven
Chosen to Frame Anti
Filibuster Measure
Owen Fires First Gun
Two Plans for Limiting De-
bate Outlined by Smith
and Smoot
Lr-om lie Tribune Bure.uI

Washington, March Ga rule wnich
will prevent the talking 10 death OF
measure approved by large majority
Of Senators is being worked out by
Joint committee of eleven Senators,
consisting Of six Democrats and hve
Republicans. Seldom has there been
such harmony on the big question in
volved-that never again can such an
occurrence as the Stone-La Toilette
flibuster be permitted TO happen
The appointment of the joint com
mittee. whose deliberations during the
next day or two will be of vastly
greater Importance than the casual
meetings Of the Senate. was made after
caucuses Of the two parties. In each
caucus. and both were meeting at the
same time late to-day, it was decided
that more progress could be made If
party lines were more or less ignored
and the question considered by joint
committee.
The Democratic caucus named SEN
ators Owen, of oklahoma; Reed, OF
Missouri; Smith, of Georgia; James, OF
Kentucky; Swanson, Of Virginia, and
Walsh. of Montana. The Republican
caucus named Senator'S Lodge, Of Mas
sachusetts; BraIdegee, of Connecticut;
Penrose, Of Pennsylvania; Borah, OF
Idaho. and Cummins, of Iowa.
Cummins Ore of the "Wilfuls'
Mr.. Cummins was in the La Follett"
filihuster. His objection prevented the
acceptance of the most liberal unani-
nous consent agreement probably ever
offered for a vote on the bill--ten hours
Of debate, all TO be occupied by the
opponents Of the measure. His oojec-
ton was made while Mr.. La Toilette
was sleeping.
All of the Democrats on this commit
tee are in favor Of cloture in one form
or another. Mr.. Owen for years has
been one Of the most fervid advocates
of a change in the rules, although IN
the past he has conducted successful
filibusters himself.
Senator Smith has expressed himself
in favor Of a two-thirds rule in cloture.
His plan, which is before the commit
tee, is that after written motion OF
sixteen Senators the Senate shall vote
the next day on limiting debate. A
two-thirds vote shall be required to
pass the motion, and after It's passage
no Senator shall speak more than an
hour on the bill and all amendments.
Senator Reed, it is believed, will line
up for cloture. though his close reis'
lions with his colleague, Senator Stone
may be expected to prevent anything
which might in his opinion reflect on
the chairman Of the Foreign Relations
Committee.
Republicans Resented Filibuster
The Republicans are not men. for the
most part, who have advocated cloture,
but four Of the five-ali save Cum
mins-were shocked and angered at the
spectacle of the United States Senate
permitting the armed neutrality bill to
be talked to death.
II may be taken for granted that
there will be nothing which the most
ardent advocate of unlimited debate
could call gag rule.
"There will be some form of cloture
put through" declared Senator Reed
Smoot, of Utah, one Of the most potent
Of the Republican leaders. 81 think the
most likely thing will be rule which
will permit the Senate TO force vote
in the last few weeks Of the short SEES
sions II is only when the legal date
Of adjournment is very near that a
filibuster can be effective.
"If the President should call an OK
ira session of Congress now, the Senate
could pass the armed neutrality bill. in
the shape reported by the Foreign Re-
lations Committee, within three days
by keeping in continuous session, and
keeping that one topic before the SEN
ate"
Owen Opens Cloture Fight
Other Senator'S did not agree with
the Smoot idea Of a rule applying only
at the end Of the short sessions.
Il a.