Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-24
SENATE DEMOCRATS
TO FIGHT TO FINISH
Will Hold Congress in Continual Ses-
sion Until March 5, II Necessary, to
Got Action on Revenue Bill and Pre-
pared ,ess Il egisiation.

Washington, Feb. 24.-Senate demo-
Gratis today determined on fight to a
finish with the republican minority over
the revenue bill and preparedness leg
islation and have practically decided to
hold congress in continuous session
from now on, even to the extent OF
holding thru Sunday, March 4.
Senate and house conferees agreed
today on the diplomatic appropriation
bill and retained the senate provision
apropriating $4,000 for a second PAN
American financial conference at
washington at time to be fixed by
the president. ST.
Appropriations Of $4,000 for the
nineteenth conference Of the inter-par-
laimentary union.s and $4,000 for the
fifteenth International congress against
alcoholism, both to be held in the
United States at unnamed dates were
retained in the bill
Senate republicans yesterday served
notice on President Wilson and the ad-
ministration they are opposed to giving
the president blanket authority to
handle the German situation as he sees
fit and then depart from Washington
for a period Of nine months.
"A conference attended by practically
every republican senator irf Washington
was held Just before the senate c6n-
Evened today. Attthis conference it was
informally agreed that the republicans
should oppose granting Mr.. Wilson au-
thority to use the armed forces Of the
country unless he specifies in advance
exactly what he intends to do with
them.
Information was submitted to the
senators that the president intends to
70 before congress and ask for author
ity to cope with the situation during
the absence Of congress. - The republi-
cans said they should not consent to the
delegation of the authority Of congress
to the president, but rather should in
sist that Mr.. Wilson refrain from
Ltrenching upon the warmaking power.
At the conference the republican
senators determined to discuss fully all
now pending in the senate.
They began by renewing their objec-
tions to the revenue bill as soon as the
senate convened for the days work.
Senator Simmons and other demo-
cratic leaders promptly characterized
their course fllibuster, conceived for
the purpose Of embarrassing the presi-
dent.
The republicans denied they were
conducting filibuster.
But two Of the great appropriation
bills have been enacted into law up to
ho "a
posed Of tomorrow and next week: The
fight over the revenue bill will go into
next week. Republican senators assert
ed they could carry it right up to the
adjournment of congress, thereby ne
|cessitating the calling of an extra
session.
The conference was held after repub-
lican senators had dropped all dis
guises In the hlibuster and had par
ttcipated In an obstructive debate for
two hours.
Eve are going to insist on keeping
this revenue bill before the senate nc
matter what happeis," said Senator
Simmons, "The whole preparedness
program and the destiny OF the nation
is dependent on this bill and Y the re-
publicans want to take the resposibil'
ity Of imperiling the country, they viii
have to take the blame. II the minor.
ity proposes to keep up the filibuster
we shall continue the sessions Of the
senate"
Senator Smoot after conferring with
Representative Mann, republican house
leader, said he had no idea there woulo
be an extra session, basing his state
ment on the belief that the republican
fight would operate against the presi-
dent going to congress to ask for more
power.
II do not believe the president viii
come to congress at all" Senator
Smoot said.