Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-08
For Prompt Action

For Prompt Action
The resolution embody ing the proposed
rulc probably will be reported to the Sen
ato tomorrow by Majority Leader Martin
with a view to pressing it for prompt
adoption.
Senators la Follett and Gronna, Re
politicians. who were among the l. who
failed to sign the manifesto approving
tho armed neutrality bill, did not attenl
their party caucus. How much signif-
canoe is Ia he attached to that fact
ers could foretell tonight, although the
democrats had a distinct impression that
the appearance Of the rule would be the
signal for speeches by these two sena-
tors on armed neutrality. There were
few Democrats who had views different
from the large majority, but while they
may contribute few speeches on the
subject of changes in the rules, no pro-
longed opposition is expected.
In the Democratic caucus there were
Republicans who voted for the change
this makes about eight more than two
thirds Of the Senate. Several senators
of both parties are absent from WISH
ngton or i'll. so that the proportion of
those here for the change is overwhelm-
ing.
Senators Sherman of Illinois and
France Of Maryland were the two Re-
publicans who cast the negative votes.
Senator Sherman declared the Republi-
cans would he put i'm the position Of ac-
cedng to Il because of the demand by
President Wilson in his public statement
on the defeat of tho neutrality bill and
IN his conference today with Democratic
members Of the conference committee.
Senator France said he opposed any kind
Of cloture rule.
The resolution is changed only slight
". from that virtually agreed upon last
night hv the conference committee of
ton and which was approved by the
senate rules committee several months
ago The most important change was
the addition today by the conferees of
provision that except by unanimous
consent amendments will not be in or
der after the cloture has been ordered.
This was done to prevent substitutes
coming in at the last moment when
there would be little time for their
consideration before vote must be
taken.
Senator owen gave notice in the Dem
ocratic caucus that he expected to ad-
dress the Senate tomorrow on majority
rules in the Senate which he advocated
against the two-thirds plan, but lat
ter he apparently abandoned the idea.
Senator Smith of South Carolina talked
about the possibility of a force bill I'M
der Republican domination of the Sen
az" If a cloture rule is put in effect,
and senator Smith of Georgia discussed
absolute colture.
The party conferees, however, made 1t
r!an that the two thirds plan was the
best they could hope to get without a
prolonged struggle, and when the atmos-
Phore cleared the Democrats voted uni
mouSly upon H.
The Republicans named Senators
Warren, Smoot, Brandegee. Borah,
toindeXter. Fan, Weeks. Harding and
Nadsworth to constitute their COM
mluee for the session. Senators Cum
INNS and Gronna, two of those who
opposed the armed neutrality bill.
We're members of the committee last
year. and the report was current to-
night that the. caucus failed to re-
elect them as rebuke. Republican
leaders. however, said this was ridicu-
'ouS, that the committee personnel was
changed every year.
There also was talk at the capitol Of
movement to prevent Senator Stone
from retaining craftsmanship of the
foreign relations committee. Some of
the leading members of the Democrat
it steering committee said such a
movement if attempted would come to
naught