The sun., 1917-03-06
Democrats Will Caucus To-
day on Plans to End
Filibustering.
SUPPORT PLEDGED
BY 80 MEMBERS
Minority Arrayed Against
Measure to Curb Un-
limited Debate.


dent Wilson's demand for a change In
Senate rules to make impossible in the
future such a filibuster as the one by
which handful Of members defeated the
armed neutrality bill fresh in their
minds. Senate Democrats will caucus to-
morrow on a programme for the special
session. The session. called primarily to
pass upon appointments to Office. began
formally to-day and will get down to
business tomorrow.
Senator Owen. who has been the chief
rroponent Of a limited debate rule for
many years. is prepared to bring the
subject OF cloture before the caucus, and
thirty-three Senators. most Of them
Democrats. have signed an agreement
to support the rule he proposes.
II the caucus decides to stand behind
this proposal and make 1t the chief issue
of the session. the Senate may spend the
summer in Washington instead of dis
posing of its work in a few days. as
Usual Many Senators who have partici-
pated in various such fights believe II
would be more difficult to get the Senate
TO agree to a limited debate rule than II
would be to get a declaration of war
against Germany or to pass the armed
neutrality bill which died yesterday be-
cause the rules say Senator cannot be
taken from the floor when he wishes TO
keep on talking.
Minority Against CIoture.
There has been no caucus among OPP
ponents of cloture. but Republicans in
the cloak rooms predicted to-day that
the minority party almost to man
would oppose such a rule. and openly
declared that there would be Democrats
to eide with them.
- The biggest present asset Of those who
wish a change in the rules is the Pres,-
dent. and the public opinion his state
ment denouncing the present rules is
expected to arouse. Never before in the
history of the many suggestions that
have been made for such change has a
President openly aligned himself in its
favor nor has public attention generally
been called to what he considers fault
in method of procedure.
The President Is expected to continue
his insstence for change. but even
optimistic champions Of cloture think II
will be difficult to keep public interest
centred on such a question. A majority
can force open debate. but to do SO would
offer opportunity for public discussion
of the present situation and possibly
strengthen the European opinion that the
Congress Is divided in supporting the
President in his international policy.
The Republicans. aside from any per-
sonal views they may have about the
Presidents statement and its intent 10
force change In the procedure of the
legislative branch. will oppose the pro-
posed rule Just as minorities always op-
pose II because unlimited debate Is one
Of their most potent weapons
FiIibustera Are Bitter.
The Progressive Republicans who par.
ticipated In the killing Of the armed neu-
trality bill are understood to be exceed
ingly bitter over the Presidents state
ment denouncing them. 1t Is pointed
out, too, that they have often profited
by fllibus.ers. and some Of them were
prepared to employ one this year against
the river and harbor Appropriation bill
IL It had reached the Senate floor.
Democrats, who may oppose the
change in rules. remember that the time
may come when they will find them
selves again in the minority. 1t was a
filibuster which Senator German, a
Democrat. used many years ago to de.
feat a force bill on negro enfranchise-
ment. and that fact never has been for
gotten.
There are sixteen new Senators and
how they will stand on a cloture rule
nobody definitely knew tonight. 1t Is
regarded as probable that for the
time being they. for the most part, will
line up with their respective parties, and
apparently their coming will make little
difference in rules fight.
IL thirty or forty Senators are opposed
to a change, since the Senate mus,
operate under the rules that now exis,
until It can change them, they would
he able to talk about as long as the
Senate cares to stay in session. invok,
ing the very tactics which the President
wants to bar In the future.
About the first business Of the caucus
tomorrow will be the selection OF a
majority leader. Senator Martin Of Vir.
ginla In unopposed. the only other candi.
date talked Of, Senator Walsh of Mon.
tana having withdrawn n few weeks
ago.