Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-10

Elwood bill.
Special to Times-Republican.
Des Moines. March 1O.-At noon to-
day the house OF the Iowa legislature
was still deadlocked on the Pitt-John-
ston bill. A vote was taken at 1880 on
whether or not the Rogers amendment
would be voted on. 1t resulted in ate
vote, 81 70 54
Friends Of the highway commission
are seeking to bring the main question
to a vote. while the Pitt-Johnston
crowd is opposing taking vote at this
time. This indicates the Pitt-Johnston
crowd realizes that their measure has
a small chance Of passing. 1T appears
now to be a question of which side can
wear the other out
Woodworth clum. secretary OF the
Greater Iowa Association. was Officials
~ told by Speaker Pitt today that It no
continued to lobby in the house cham
Der against the Pitt-Johnston bill he
would be put out of the chamber. Clum
promptly left the chamber.
Fail to Strengthen Position.
Plans for the administration leaders
to strengthen their position on the road
bill apparently failed today and the
flight on the bill continued with ell 10s
members present
Speaker Pitt, who saved the situation
last night by breaking a tie-vote on
adjournment. stepped into the breach
again this morning when the call of q
vote against a motion 10 consider tho
previous question was forced and re-
suited in the tie, thus defeating the
proposition.
It is the opinion that while the dead
lock continued the administration
position had been slightly hettered
The fact that the speakers vote was
needed bed to the belief that the ad-
ministration faction was not prepared
for vote Tie I.iwood Bill supporter:
being willing to force a vote showed
that faction prepared for chance on
the outcome.
One Member Missing.
The absence of Representative
Richards. Of Muscatine county, delayed
the fight on the bill when the house
convened today. On the call OF the
house the sergeant alarms was sent
TO bring him to the chamber. The chief
development of the morning was a re-
ported conference between the Eiwood
n
the Pitt faction was said to have been
appointed last night. Their proposi-
ton Il was reported. was rejected.
The fate of the bill is believed to
rest with Representatives Oertel, OF
Lee: Miles. OF Jackson. and Dean. of
Osceola, the only doubtful members.
FiIibuster Continues.
Representative Johnston, OF Lucas
county. author with Speaker Pitt OF
the administration bill, opened the de-
bate when Representative Richards
was found.
Representative Lee. of Sac county.
was the first speaker in favor of the
Eiwood bill.
AS the session continued it became
evident that neither side was ready to
bring the bill to a vote. 4 filibuster Gin
duplicate continued while leaders
worked strenuously trying to swing
votes. It appeared certain no vote
would be reached today.
AS a result OF the road bill fight. the
house this morning was forcedito eX-s
! tend to March 13 the time. within which
! it would be possible to introduce the
| bill without unanimous consent of the
senate.
Pitt Loses On Big Vote.
Shortly after noon with resources for
delay exhausted the house voted to
consider the amendment Of Repre-
sentative Rogers to the Elwood amend
ment. The Rogers amendment would
virtually render imperative the FL
wood bill. The Rogers amendment
was lost on a tie vote. 81 to o.
| Following the defeat of the Rogers
amendment two motions were made.
one to recess and one TO adjourn. Both
were defeated.
Representative Larson. of of Mont.
gomery, introduced substitute
amendment which would retain the
highway commission, hut would limit
its powers. Discussion of the bill be-
gan at once and threatened tn last foe
fhours.