Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-07
President Urged to Take
Action Without Waiting
For Congress.
l.LESIDENT PREFERS
TO AWAIT APPROVAL
SrobabIe Senate Will Adopt cloture
Rule to Prevent Blocking Of Lesis'
Nation by Small Minerity-Rspubli-
can Leaders Agree and Not Dis
posed to HassIs Over Methods
J Prospects For Extra Session.


Washington, March THE definite
impression that American merchant
men would be armed in the near future
gained ground today following confer
ences between administration officials
and democratic senators.
The democratic senator's hurried to
the capitol. after the conference. to
meet republican leaders to lay before
them = plan for modified oloture
which it was hoped to bring before the
senate tomorrow. The senator's agreed
that the prospects were good for quick
action In the senate.
Senator Owen said he desired rule
under which the senate rule could be
changed by a majority vote. All the
senator's agreed, however, they would
not haggle over details.
The conference lasted an hour and a
half and all the details OF the senate
situation were gone over. The presi-
dent told the senators he was anxious
for action as promptly as possible. He
said the country was deeply aroused
and said a few senator's should not be
allowed TO interfere.
~ Altho the president has been advised
ne has the authority to s.rm ships with
out waiting action by congress, some
among his advisers believe It would be
"a bstter policy to wait and SEQ whether
flye senators would act.
vs. Say Old Law Does Not Apply.
Some administration officials today
we're urging on President Wilson their
view that he may legally arm merchant
slitps now without awaiting cougress's
specfai authority They argue thgt the
Old law passed IN 1919, forbidding q
merchantmen to fire ~on public arm
cd vessel Of nation in amity with the.
United States would not apply to the
present situation. The president heard
these views with interest and indicated
that he is seeking some legal means Of
acting promptly, but preferred congress
sional approval
President Wilson had conference
early today with Senators Owen. Reed.
walsh. Swanson, James and Hoke
Smith, the committee named by the
senate democratic caucus. and discuss
ed the proposed changes in the rules
which would prevent unlimited debate
such as killed the armed neutrality bill.
Committee Organizes.
Secretary Lansing was called to the
white House just before the depart
ure OF the senator's The conference
continued for more than an hour.
After the democratic senators left
the White House they resumed their
conference with the republican cloture
committee.
) The democrats elected Senator
Hitchcock vice chairman and ex-officio
member Of the steering committee.
with Senator Martin as chairman Of
the committee, the following members
were named: Williams, James, Reed,
Simmons, Smith, Of Georgia; Walsh.
Thomas, Chamberlain, Owen and Rob-
inson. They went to work at once to
reorganize the senate's standing COM
mittees.
Senator walsh introduced resolu-
tion In the senate today to provide for
readoption Of old senate rules, with
exception Of the rule concerning mo-
tions, and authorizing the vice presi-
dent to appoint committee to re-
wise that rule.
Committee Agrees on Plan.
3 The democratic and republican clo-
ture COMMITTEES agreed after their con-
ference today to recommend to the
sdp6rty caucuses today a change in the
rules whereby q two thirds vote in the
senate could shut OF debate and lila
tory tactics thus be prevented.
A change In the resolutions framed
gat their meeting last night, Senator
Penrose, republican member OF the
\ \ &c Gee said was to provide that no
amendments shall be offered TO 8 hill
against which the cloture is to be en-
forced, after the cloture has been voted
by the senate. That would prevent any
effort to OFFER a substitute after the
SclOture had heen ordered, and was re-
sRarded as important by all the confer
ees, 'asfs
Break With Austria Delayed.
II appeared probable today that the
United States would not press the is
sue created by Austria's declaration
gshat she adheres to Germany's subma-
zine policy, inasmuch as the note has
:onciliatory tore and points out that
:since the Austrian submarines operate
pnly in the Mediterranean they are not
threatening TO American commerce.
~ Prospects for an extra session OF
congress were mere pronounced today.
z Members o. cen e,ress EXPECT an extra
Session TO be called not later than June.
Aside from any action on the armed
a snip bill, the need Of an extra session to
Spass the big supply measures is re-
yafded as imperative. II
Nearly all the executive departments
=, s:,,fk & the government will suffer unless
AS1nsress hnppltes the necessary funds.
i - IN di&!en there are other measures
which the administration regarded as
! ssiis:sscst imperative which failed to pasa
They included legislation to strengthen
4 1S$tt ANamson law, revision OF the ship