Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-02-24
'F|L|BUSTER|NG TO
/. DEFEAT PLANS Of
ADMINISTRATION
Republicans VIII Not Give
President Free Hand with
Germany
EVIDENT INTENT IS TO
FORCE EXTRA SESSION
Senator'S Feel Their Import
| ance and Want To Dictate
| Policies

Washington, Feb. 24.-sThe marshall
ing of the republican forces in congress
for an uncompromising fillibuster
against passage Of an administration
Legislation, is direct effort TO frus-
trate attempts to clothe President VIII
son with unlimited authority to handle
the International situation, Senator
Reed Smoot, republican leader admit
tied to the United Press today.
Indications developed this morning
that should the president abandon his
Ifcported intention of seeking further
authority to deal with Germany, the
republicans might call off their filli-
buster and permit the passage osf the
administration program.
Should congress vest in the presi-
dent the authority he is known 20 de-
sire,'' Smoot said, tit would empower
him to lead the country into virtual
state Of war. 1t might prove disastrous
to the country.
If the administration agrees not
to press this authorization at this time
Smoot continued, ~ should say there
: will be no extra session. However [
lam merely voicing my personal belief. -
! Smoot is one of the old guard leaders
Iwhos conceived and put the fihbuster
Iplans at the minority caucus.
At the outset today republican lead
Iers. out generated democrats and fore
led the legislative bill into precedence
lover the favored son revenue measure
in the senate.
Such tactics, if continued. successful
ly means only one thingan extra ses-
lsion.
President Wilson is only interest
led in the republican filibuster at the
Icapitol, it was stated today. 1t was
lstrongly intimated, however, that this
interest might tend to develop into n
|definite hne of procedure by the presi-
ldent, tending to make his position clear
before the people of the country
During the early hours of today,
Postmaster General Burleson, legisla-
Tive major domo Of the cabinet canvass
led carefully the extent of damage done
Iso far by the minority tilibustcring and
what ammunition and munitions they
lmay have in reserve. He called at the
white house about noon TO tell the pres
iidcnt about it.
Shortly thereafter there were as
many different varieties of rum0rs re-
garding possibility OF the president s
Icxpected appearance before joint ses-
sion as there are officials
Some said if the filibuster developed
sufficient strength to make an extra
J session certain, the president would
! just as certainly 60 before congress
Ioutline as freely rs the delicate situa-
ton warrants the status of the situa
Jon and make an appeal for undivided
support on non'partisan, patriotic
. grounds.
These reports, chiefly from demo
! cratic sources, were to the effect thai
"'it is a poor time to play politics. =
, Some administration heutenants
frankly declared such tactics We're Ger
tain to be misconstrued abroad and es
Ipecially in country with which thi'
/ government has no diplomatic relations
) Republican leaders, on the othei
! hand, declared it too much to exPee
1.-THE president to carry all the weigh
of the vast problems, chiefly intcFna
tional, which Immediately confront thi
: nation. Others were not so generous
, They termed the president s obviou
desire to "get congress out OF th'
way'i high handed.