Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-08
VOTE TO ARM j. S.
SHIPS, 403 TO IS
Representatives, Irrespective of
Party or Policy, Are Lined
Up Together.

Washington. March IA bill to en-
power the President to arm merchant
ships. but not extending the authority he
requested to use "other instrumentalities'
Din defending American rights against the
submarine menace, was passed by the
House tonight by a vote of 4Os to 10.
THOSE OPPOSED.
Speaker Clark announced the vote
amid cheering. Opposition TO the
oil faded during the day before patriotic
appeals from leaders on both sides Of the
House. and when the roll was called only
nine republicans, three democrats and
tho socialist voted IN the negative. They
we're:
Republicans: Benedict. California; Cary.
Wisconsin, Cooper. Wisconsin; Davis.
minnesota; Helgesen, North Dakota;
Lindbergh, Minnesota; Nelson. Wiscon-
sin; Stafford. Wisconsin; Wilson, Illinois.
Democrats Decker, Missouri; Shackle-
ford. Missouri; and Sherwood. Ohio.
Socialist: London, New York.
The measure was sent over to Senate,
where 1t is expected the Senate com
mittee's bill approved by the President and
authorizing not only the arming of ships
but the employment of "other instru-
mentalities' will be substituted.
All proposed amendments to the meas
ure except those added in committee were
rejected by the House under an avalanche
of votes Never since questions arising
out of the European war began to agitate
the House almost three years ago has
there been such 2, display of patriotic
non partisanship IS was witnessed to-
day In the chamber
MANN AND KITCHIN AGREE.
Democrats and republicans, even most
of the members who heretofore have
aligned themselves with the extreme
pacifist group, Joined in fighting for the
bill Representative Bailey OF Penlsyl-
vania. generally recognized as reflecting
the views OF William J. Bryan. voted in
the affirmative and announced his inten-
ton in advance. Democratic Leader
Kitchin. who heretofore always has stood
against the administrations prepared
ness plans. and Republican Leader Mann.
whose utteranccs often have been strong
~ opposed to the Presidents interna-
tional policies, voted for the measure.
vigorous speech.
From tho time the rule for consideration
Of the bill was brought up in the House
shortly after noon until the final roll call
was taken ten hours later the result never
was In doubt. Predictions that the mega
! tive vote would not exceed . dozen were
frequently heard.
THE OPPOSITION FEEBLE.
Led by Representative Cooper Of Wis.
consin. and Campbell OF Kansas. both re-
publicans opponents Of the measure, made
a determined fight, however. They were
\ not united on any one specific objection
Representative Cooper based his position
on the contention that the bill would au'
thorize discrimination against Germany
, in that IL would permit the aYming OF
ships carrying munitions 10 the allies. anC
that by ar1ning such ships the United
States would commit an act of war. Rep
resentative Campbell contended that pas
sage OF tho bill would be equivalent tc
surrender by Congress Of it's right to make
war A little group of avowed pactfists
opposed unalterably tho use Of arms
| part in the fight
The House leaders. expecting the Sen
ate to pass its bill IA a substitute. say
they can put through the Senate bill Il
IL comes to them.
The House bill, besides eliminating thu
phrase "other ingtrumentalities." also
carries committee amendment which
would prohibit insurance Of munition
carrying ships under the war risk funt
to which the President Is authorized t.
transfer a part of the 500 900. 900 derived
from the bond issue provided for In tn
bill Such vessels arc not being insuret
by the government now. but tho amend
mcnt is considered undesirable by the ad
ministration.
The finai vote was preceded by a rol
call on motion of Representative
Cooper to send the bill back to the Tor
eign affairs committee. which was beaten
29j to i24.