Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-28

anti-piracy statute adopted by the gov
eminent in 1913.
The committee also voted to eliminate
from the original form recommended by
the President the words should 1t in
his Judgment become necessary for him
to do So" applied to the authorization
to arm the ships. This was stricken out
because tie majority of the committee
believed il carried the implication that
the emergency demanding the arminS or
shius had not yet arrived, when IT IS
in their opinion that the emergency ooes
exist and has existed for some time
Would Direct" President
In this connection several senator's
pressed an amendment which would "di-
rect" the President to arm the merchant
ships but this was rejected. among
senator's who favored it were Lodge
Sutherland and Borah.
Senators Stone, Hitchcock and OGor-
man. the three Democrats who did not
approve the measure as finally drafted
were opposed to it principally because
of refusal of the committee to accept
AN amendment by Senator Stone which
would withhold protection from Ameri-
can ships carving munitions of war.
Senator Smith of Michigan, Repubil-
can. also favored the amendment and he
further opposed retention in the meas
IRE Of the clause authorizing the Pres
ident to employ "other inStrumentall-
ties" Senator McCumber Of North Da-
lota joined him. together with Senators
stone and O'Gorman, in this vote.
Those opposed to the measure also
sought to limit it by provision which
would prevent the President from plac-
ing gunners of the navy on armed mer-
chant ships This proposal was reject
ed Another amendment submitted by
Senators who sought to direct imme-
date arming of ships would have au-
thorized the President to convoy mer-
chant vessels with warships. This was
likewise rejected.
Regarding retention of the clause Civ
ing the President blanket powers to
handle the situation. Senator'S generally
said that the President was entitled to
the power and that it would be diff
cult to find words making such powers
more specific.
80 far as some of us were concern
ed" said Senator Sutherland, Repub-
lican member of the committee. I'VE do
not fear giving the President too much
power What we fear is that he will
not utilize enough power
Senator Stone in introducing the bill
in the Senate said his committee had
considered the recommendations OF the
President before the Joint session yes
terdav and had directed him AS its
chairman to introduce the bill. He said
he was directed also to ask it's first and
second reading, and reference back to
the committee. Senator Kirby. in the
chair. said without objection the bill
would be read twice and referred as re-
quested.
Senator Watson asked Chairman Stone:
"Did / understand the chairman of the
committee to say the report was unanl-
mous?"
"I made no statement with respect to
that" replied Senator Stone.
HAS the senator anything to say on
that pont?" Senator Watson insisted.
81 have not" was the reply.
| Senator LaFollette, who had not been
in his seat, entered at this time and ask
ed the chair if he correctly underst @od
the parliamentary situation and that
]
unanimous consent had been given to in
troduce the bill. read it twice and refer
il to the foreign relations committee.
| Until this bill was read,' he said. no
body knew what it was, and ask that 1t
again be submitted to the Senate"
The chair said as he understood the
Senate rules the bill had been virtually
introduced and read by unanimous con-
sent.
Il object" said Senator La Toilette.
The chair said the objection came too
late. but that recourse could be had to
motion to appeal from his ruling. SEN
ator stone ended the incident, however
by saying that he was content to allow
the bill to be considered as introduced,
but as having been read only the firsI
time. This prevented its reference to the
committee.
Following the recess of the Senate, Sen
ator La Toilette was asked what his at
titude toward the bill would be.
81 want to study it thoroughly before
decide upon it." said the Wisconsin
senator. Il want the bill to get before
the public before any action is taken
whatever. The public can consider 1t
now That's why I interposed my objec-
ton