Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-24
SENATE FAILS TO ACT ON MOTION
TO DEBATE WILSON PEACE PLAN
MNsIIINNTNN. Ian ~

wNSHINGTON. Jan a.
After two hours of bitter discussion the
Senate today failed To- act uu Senator CUM
mnss resolut ON providing extended debate
next Monday on President Wilson's world
peace message
Cummins. In calling up his resolution
shortly after the Senate convened. said.
This touches probably tho most import
ant matter that has ever come before the
Senate Of the United States
81 have no intention Of speaking at
length on this resolution" said Senator
called ~ sincerely hope that We may
reach vote on it carly. 1t will bc OBJ
served that the resolution does not invite
or even properly permit discussion Of the
soundness or the unsOundness Of the priu-
cipes contained in the Presidents address
THE point at issue is this: Ought the
Senate do the country justice and render
the President the respect OF expressing our
Views on the doctrine to which he says he
is about to commit this Government"
His announcement is the most important
ever made by chief Executive Of this
nation. lie SO regards 1t, the country 50
regards it, and the rest OF the world so
accepts it,
"'rhe President came here frankly and
boldly to disclose to us the thoughts and
purposes in h. mind. Are We ro sit here
dumb. are we to remain silent while tho
public il waiting To- hear us speak ! haVc
no authority to sneak FOR tho President but
I am bound to say that those who oppose
this resolution are not the Presidents true
friends.
"It must be that he expects tho fullest
and freest debate or what value will
our counsel be II We lock our lips? n
there bo Senator who will not vote for
this resolution ask him to reject that
such vote casts doubt ON the courage or
sincerity Of the President
"If such q Senator believes the Prosi-
dent does not want our counsel nc believes
the President merely selected the Senate
as a forum from which to address the for
eigu nations and the newspapers.
81 hold no such doubt. but those must he
the thoughts Of those thinking OF referring
this resolution to the Foreign Relations
Committee.
There is no Information OF which | can
conceive that can b" furnished by the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations
This IL time whrn requires Conscfeu-
tious speech. the proposal affecting as it does
the happiness ana wc.i-hrinE Of the entire
world.
MEASURE NOT PARTISAN
II understand the pressure Of business
and the desire To- avoid an extra session Of
Congress, but no legislation pending or
which may he propos ID is comparable i'm
importance III tNlS proposal OF lUt lTeSl-
dents. The future Of our nation the in
teErity of our society, are involved in this
question. ! do not know how Senators view
The proposal. ! have not partisan tingc
IN discussing it. Senator's Will bear out
the statement that ! support the President
when | think him right and this is not a
partisan measure. But the President Is NOT
alone charged with the responsibility OF our
foreign relations. w have voice and
should express it. ! do not think the de-
bate on my resolution will consume as much
time as the chairman Of the Foreign Rela-
lions Committee fears think one or two
days OF faithful work will suffice"
STONE AGAINST MOVE
Senator stone chairman Of the Foreign
Relations Committee, took the floor as soon
as Cummins concluded.
1T is the opinion Of the Senator from
Iowa that any one who opposes this reso-
luton is not a true friend OF the President 70
said Senator Stone ~ do not speak with
knowledge but venture 10 express doubt
whether the President was so obsessed with
the idea OF the Senator's afectiouaie aud
devoted friendship as iu place ms fortunes
I'm his hands.
81 am against this resolution. / think 10
is an unwise resolution. II has been intro
duced without due deIiberatiOu and az II
he CCumminsD was spp7ehensive that some
9ne might precede him on the stage
IF every Senator here should speak
nuety-sx hours would be- consumed. n
this talk-fest should he continued Tor seven
hours a day. more than two weeks would
be consumed, or half the time remaining
Of this session.
''The Senator is OF the opinion that few
speeches, made in sus or TWO days. would
give the opinion OF the Senate, Why soF
The resolution I'm It's preamble states its
purpose 10 be TO obtain the advice OF in
dividual Senators,
In what way would the Presidents foot
steps be guided by six or seven speeches
approving his address and six or seven on
the other sideF u Is uuwarranted 20 say
ten or "A dozen speeches would outline 20
the President or the world what is the
attitude Of the Senate
There is no way 10 prevent Senators
speaking on this subject There is no de-
sire 10 prevent Senators from speaking.
But for the Senate TO set aside such an
amount Of time 10 be devoted 10 discussion
Of this question seems 10 me a most mel
ancholy waste Of time"
Senator Stone renewed his motion of
yesterday 10 refer the Cummins resolution
to the Foreign Relations Committee
Senator ShafrOth Of Colorado, who had
been in correspondence with the President
on the League to Enforce Peace before the
President delivered his address In the SEN
ate supported Stones attitude
Shafroth urged public hearings before