Evening star., 1917-02-28


Basis of Republican Opposition.
The major part of the republican op-
position apparently does not lie against
the bill to grant the President broad
powers to deal with the submarine
situation, although there are probably
a half dozen senators on the minority
side opposed to it either in principle or
because they regard it as too sweep
ing in character
senator watson, republican. of lndi-'
ana. who was prominent in engineering
the fiIibuster against the revenue oiii'
said TODAY that many republicans wouio
not oppose granting the President
merely the power to arm merchaii'
ships and provide funds for that pur
pose, but were decidedly averse TO au-
tborizinr him to use "other instru-
mentauties." These senators feel Con-
erass should be in session IL such
powers are granted.
Text of Flood Bill.
The full text Of the Flood DILL as
amended, follows:
"Re it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives OF the oniteo
States of America in Congress assem-
bled. that the President of the Cnlted
S+atas he and is hereby, authorized
and empowered to supply nlefchaht
ships, the property of citizens Oh tIie
United States and bearing American
.laPo diEA q
WITH fine necessary ammunition ana
means of making use OF them N oe
fense against unlawful a1tack' any
that he be and is hereby authorized
and empowered to proteGt sush n,ps, SIPS
and the citizens of the United states
against unlawful attacks while in their
lawful and peaceful pursuits on the
3Section 2 That the sum of $1,000. .0oo,o
is hereby appropriated out OF any
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
anpropriated to be expended by the
President of the United states Tor tne
nurposes herein stated, the said sum 10
be available until January !, 1878; ana
the president is authorized to trans
fer so much thereof as he may deem
necessary to the bureau OF war-flsh
insurance, created by act or congress
approved September ., 1914. for the
n,prnose Of insuring vessels. their
freight passage moneys and cargoes
against loss or damage by the present
risks of war, provided said bureau OF
war risk insurance shall not insure
anv arms or ammunition or any vessel
carving arms and ammunition con-
signed to belligerent countries or any
citizen thereof.
Bond Issue Authorized.
"Section 3. That for the purpose OF
meeting the expenditures herein au-
thorized the Secretary of the Treas
ury. under the direction of the Presi-
dent. is hereby authorized to borrow
on the. credit of the United states and
TO issue therefor bonds of the United
States not exceeding in the aggregate
500 Ooo, o0O said bonds to be In such
form and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary of the
treasury may prescribe. and to bear
interest at the rate not exceeding .
per centum per annum Provided,
That such bonds shall be sold at not
less than par shall not carry the cir
culatins privilege and that all citi-
zens of the United States shall be given
an equal opportunity to sunscripe
therefor. but no commission snali De
allowed or paid thereon: that both
principal and interest shall be pay
ahle in United States gold coin Of the
present standard of value, and be kept
exempt from all taxation and duties OF the
I
anv form Of all state. municipal or local
authorities; that any bonds issued here
under may. under such conditions as the
Secretary of the Treasury may pre-
scrihe be convertible into bonds bear |
ing a higher rate of interest than
per centum per annum II any bonds
shall be issued by the United States at
a higher rate than per centum per an
mum by virtue Of any act passed on or
before December 31st, 1918. |
.Section 4. That in order to pay the |
expenses connected with the'i
said issue of bonds. or any conversion |
thereof, a sum not exceeding one-tenth |
bonds herein authorized to be issued or |
which may be converted. is hereby ap-
propriated out OF any money In the |
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
70 he expended as the Secretary of the |
treasury may direct.
No Record Of Vote.
No record Of the vote in committee was