The Washington times., 1917-03-08
RULE FOR CLOTURE
ISNEAR ADOPTION
Democratic Steering Committee
Puts Measure Ahead-Urged
by Both Caucuses.
CONTINUED from First PageJ

especially in view Of the fact that the
Rules Committee acted upon the ques-
tion last session and beth the Repub-
lican and Democratic caucuses havve
acted in favor of the cloture PROPOSE
tion which is pending.
Martin Offers Resolution. :
When the Senate met Senator Mar
tin of Virginia presented the amend
ment to the rules providing for
cloture as 1t had been agreed upon in
caucus. No objection was made to its
consideration. Leaders had feared
that an objection might be made to
taking it up Immediately. With the
proposed rule before the Senate, SEN
ator Martin said he would objeft to
the Introduction OF any other business
until the cIoture rule was disposed of.
Senator Curtis of Kansas said that
in 1911 certain Senators on the Demo
cratic side were trying 20 defeat legis-
Iation by obstructive tactics, and that
he had brought in a proposal for
similar change in the rules. There
fore, he said he favored making one
now
Senator Sherman Of Illinois then
took the floor to oppose the cloturo
France of Maryland were the only
two Republicans in caucus last even
ing who voted against cloture. IL Is
expected, however. that they will line
up with their colleagues on a final
vote. Senator Sherman especially OBJ
jected to the Senate driving through
the cloture rule at this time. when II
put itself in the light OF yielding to
a command from the Executive.
Caucuses Agree TO CIoture.
Practically all question OF the adop-
tion of a cloture rule for the limiting
of debate by the Senate was removed
when the Democratic and Republican
caucuses last evening decided to sup
port the proposed modification OF the
rules which had been agreed to
earlier in the day by a joint COM
mittee representing both parties.
The expectation of leaders Is that
within a week cloture will be
adopted. Whether this will be fol-
lowed by an extra session is not GER
tain. In any event there will be an
extra session not later than June ],
according to Senators in close touch
with the situation.
TWO-Thlrds PIan wins.
The action of the Democratic caucus
in favor Of the proposed rule last
evening was unanimous, after there
had been much debate. Senator Owen,
who had been insistent on a majority
plan Of clOture, gave way to the two
thirds plan
BY a vote of 80 to . the Republican
caucus favored the two-thirds plan.
Senator'S Sherman OF Illinois and
France of Maryland opposed it.
However, Senators La Toilette and
Gronna were absent. 1t is well un-
derstoOd that Senator La Toilette is
opposed to cloture, at least-under the
circumstances.
The proposed rule. or amendment
of the rules. relative TO cloture. is
the one, with notifications. which the
Rules Committee of the Senate re.
ported out some months ago. Ii pro-
vides that on motion by sixteen Sem
atOrs to bring debate to a close, the
motion shall he stated to the Senate
and shall be voted on the second fol
lowing calendar day. "A two-thirds
vote is required to make the measure
business to the exclusion
OF all other business.
Hour Limit On Speeches.
Thereafter each Senator may speak
for one hour. Amendments can be
presented only by unanimous consent
and dilatory tactics are forbidden.
IF il adopts cloture. the Senate will