The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-01-25
WILSON'SSPBECH
STIRSUP FIGHT
Senate Shelves Discussion Res.
OlutiOn. but Talks Two
Hours About 1t.

WASHINGTON, Jan. oi.--After a STIR
ring debate in the Senate lasting nearly
two hours the resolution Of Senator
Cumm!ns OF Iowa setting apart next
Monday for consideration of the Presi-
dents address was to-day sent to the
calendar. It cannot be recalled from
that legislative interment except by a
majority Of the Senate.
While the resolution is dead literally,
its spirit liveth and II will stalk forth on
occasions until the end Of the session to
nettle the President and his advisers.
That was conceded in the debate to-day.
Senator Lodge told the Senate leaders
that the Cummins resolution could be
construed in only one light--ap effort
to limit debate on the main issue.
ANY Senator can express his views
at any time" said Senator Lodge. That
was the way in which most of the Re-
publican Senators regarded the resolu-
ton and the plans for set speeches on
the Presidents scheme went merrily on.
Several speeches are to be made sooner
or later. Even Senator Stone admitted
that the fate OF the Cummins resolution
would not settle the question whether
the Presidents address should be de-
bated or not But he appealed to the
Senate to forego the plan for setting
apart time for "a talkfest." as he char
acter!Zed II.
stump speech From the Throne.
The debate at times took on almost
sensational turn. when, for example,
Senator Sherman of Illinois attacked
the President for making the address
and said II was stump speech from
the throne" He also declared that the
Presidents appearance at the Capitol
in the work OF directing legislation was
IAN attempt by the power of patronage
dispensing to interfere and coerce the
majority in the Senate to approval OF
his demands"
Senator Sherman's outbreak came In
speech by Senator Norris OF Ne
braska. who had moved to refer the
resolution to the Foreign Relations
Committee with instructions to report
it back with recommendations for ac-
ton. Senator Norris in advocating his
amendment intimated that the Senate
needed something concrete to act upon.
II was then that Senator sherman in
qured:
thinks there is any concrete statement
in the stump speech from the throne
that was delivered In the Senate of the
United States by the Chief Executive
on the occasion referred to when the
matter concerned solely the treaty maxi
ing power under the Constitution vested
in the Senate and whether any issue
was presented to the country at large,
either by the nations in mortal combat
or any measure then pending in the
Senate.
WAS II not intended rather to fore
stall and foreclose Independent action on
the part OF the Senate by appealing in
advance OF the Senates action to public
opinion. that the Presidents view might
sink unanswered into tho minds of the
general public before the Senate had a
chance to discuss the questions
Sees Attempt mt COerciOn.
WHO can foretel the terms OF such
a league as proposed? Shall the Senate
sit silent under such an attempt to COM
nit II by an acquiescence? Was IL not
rather for the purpose OF forestalling
the action OF the Senate and making us
accept whatever treaty was presented
here and compelling us to ratify it by
advertising to the general public and al
so as to coerce the Senate in it's inde-
pendent action"
"And will ask further II whether 1t
was not the intention OF the Chief Exec
utive by devoting three days n week To
the room not far from the Senate Cham
her, not risking or trusting his own ma
jority members of the Senate to conduct
the business that might properly be be-
fore u. to come here and hy the an
pearance OF the patronage dispensing
executive power OF this Government 30
coerce the majority party into his de-
mands and to obedience to his pro-
Gramme?
~ ask whether that Is not the con-
crete proposition presented by the Sena-
tor from Iowa In this resolution
Senator Norris replied that he did not
care to analyze the Presidents motives
Senator Lodge poked a bit Of fun at
Senator Norris's suggestion that the
Foreign Relations Committee could re-
port back within ten days a plan so for
midable as that outlined by the Presi-
dent.
"Of course" said Mr.. Lodge. "recon-
mendation OF a comprehensive plan to
Ak the peace Of the world at the present
(Conttnued on Second Pa0e.)