New Britain herald., 1917-03-01
HOUSE IN DEBATE
 ON FLOOD MEASURE Discussion on Bill to Empower
 Wilson to Arm Ships SENATE PLAN FAVORED

s31
 President Expects Measure of Upper
 Chamber, to Give Him Fullest Au-
 thor1ty Wdn Be Passed-Release of
 CQnsuls Demanded.
 Washington, March 1.1Spurred by increasing menace from Germany, house leaders today planned to seek action before night on the bill au- thorizing President Wilson to arm ships and rush 1t to the senate, where an agreement exists not to pass a sim liar measure before tomorrow. Oppo- sition dwindled rapidly as members of congress learned of the German plot to involve Mexico and Japan in war with the United States and additional reports. came In of the toEpedoing nf the LAconia and the detention of four American Consuls in Germany.
 The house bill, which contains no authorization for the president to, use "other instrumentalities'' in defense of neutral rights and would prohibit government war insurance for ships carrying ammunition. might reach g. vote by four o'clock this afternoon un- der a special rule which Chairman Flood of the foreign affairs commit tee expected to press today.
 It became known authoritatively today that the president endorses the senate bill which includes the "other instrumentalities'' clause and carries no insurance prohibition for ammunt- ton vessels. The administration plan Is to substitute the senate bill for the house bill and try to force the lower body to accept the change.
 La Toilette Stumbling Block.
 Senator La Toilette was the cause of uncertainty over the bills fate. He started a fihbuster when an effort was made to bring up the measure at 1. o'clock this morning after the long night session on the revenue bill, anu finally desisted when 1t was agreed to put off action until tomorrow. He has not indicated whether he intends to filibuster then.
 The state department last night sent to the Berlin government a re- quest for immediate release of four American consuls held there pending receipt of word that German consuls in the United States have been per- mitted to go to other posts in South and Central America.
 As result of the increasing gray
 ny of the German situation, the ad- ministration ie known to be giving ex- traordinary attention to preparedness measures. particularly. to the question of universal military training. even though passage of Q bill providing this seems unlikely at the present session.
 While the policy of armed neutral ity announced in the presidents last address to congress Is to be continued, if possible. the administration is talk ing into account the possibility of fur ther aggression necessitating the most thorough preparedness:
 A special rule for immediate con- ! sideration of the Flood bill to em- power the president to arm and pro- tect ships under United States reg ] istry'' was favorably reported today from the house rules committee. Without roll call, the house adopted the rule and three hours gen. eral debate on the measure was be- gun immediately.
 The council of national defense to- day called on the bureau of foreign and domestic commerce to aid in mobilizing the countrys resources in event of war.
 More than dozen railroad heads met here today to approve plans for | putting the country's rail lines at the l disposal of the government in an 1 emergency. The railroad men form
 four departments upder the council ! of national defense
 Great Britain has withdrawn her objection and made known her per-
 mission for Hadfelds Ltd. an Eng
 fish munitions cpncern. to contract
 with the United States navy for arr
 nor piercing shells of the 14 and 16- inch type.