The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-06
PRESIDENT EMPOWERED
TO ARM MERCHANT SHIPS
House Passes Bill by Almost Unani.
nous Vote, Opposition Mastering
Only Thirteen Votes Against Pas.
sage-Republicans and Democrats
Rally to President.

Washington. March IA bill to
empower the president to arm mer-
chant ships, but not extending the au-
thority he requested to use other in
strumentalities' in defending Ameri-
can rights against the submarine
menace, was passed by the house to-
night by non-partisan vote of 4O3
to 13.
Speaker Clark announced the vote
amid enthusiastic applause ana cheer
ing. Opposition to the bill had faded
during the day before the patriotic
appeals from leaders on both sides ol
the house and when the roll was call
ed only nine Republicans, three Dem
ocrats and the one Socialist voted
in the nagtive They were: Repub-
licans-Benedict of California; Cary
of Wisconsin; Cooper of Wisconsin
Davis of Minnesota; Helgesen o1
North Dakota; 'Lindberth of Mime
! sofa; Nelson of Wisconsin, Stafford
Of wisconsin, and Wilson Of Illinois
Democrats-Decker of Missouri;
Shackleford of Missouri and Sher-
wood of Ohio.
Socialist-London of New York.
The measure was sent over to the
senate, where it is expected the sen
ate committees bill approved by the
president and authorizing not only the
arming of ships but the employment
of "other instrumentalities" will be
submitted.
All presented amendments to the
measure except those added in COM
mittee were rejected by the house
under an avalanche Of votes. Never
since questions arising out of the Eu-
ropean war began to agitate the
house, almost three years ago has
there been such display of patriotic
non-partisanship as was witnessed to-
day in the chamber.
Democrats and republicans, even
most members who heretofore have
aligned themselves with the extreme
pacifst group joined in fighting for
the bill. Representative Bailey OF
Pennsylvania, generally recognized IS
rejecting the views Of William Jen-
nings Bryan, voted in the affirmative
and announced his intention in ad-
vance. Both Democratic Leader Kit
chin, who heretofore always has stood
against the administration prepared
ness plans, and Republican Leader
Mann, whose utterances often have
been strongly opposed to presidents
policies in many partic-
ulars, voted for the measure, the lat
ter having supported it in vigorous
speech.
From the time the rule for consid-
GRAFTON Of the bill was brought up In
the house shortly after noon un-
til the final roll call was taken, 10
hours later, the result never was IN
doubt. Predictions that the negative
vote would not exceed a dozen were
heard.
Led by Representatives Cooper OF
and Campbell Of Kansas.
both Republicans, opponents OF the
measure made a determined fight,
however. They were not united on
any one specific objection. Represen-
tative Cooper based his opinion on
the contention that the bill would
authorize discrimination against Ger
many in that it would permit the arm
ing of ships carrying munitions to the
allies and that by arming such ships
the United States would commit an
act of war. Representative CampDell
contended that passage OF the Dill
would be equivalent to surrender by
congress of it's right to make var.
A little group Of avowed paclfsts op-
posed unalterably the use OF arms
for any reason but played only small
part in the fight.
The house leaders expecting the
senate to pass its bill as substitute,
say they can put through the senate
bill if it comes to them.
The house bill besides eliminating
the phrase "other instrumentalltles"
also carries a committee amendment
which would prohibit the insurlng OF
munition ships under the war risk
fund to which the president is author
lied to transfer part of the Sl0U,-
900 900 derived from the bond issue
provided for in the bill. Such yes
sells are not being insured by the gov
ernment now, but the amendment is
considered undesirable by the admin
istration. The final vote was preceded
by a roll call on motion by Repre-
sentative Cooper to send the Dill BACK
to the foreign affairs committee,
which was beaten, 295 to 124.