The Detroit times., 1917-03-09
~ WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
Copyright 1917. by The United Press

Copyright 1917. by The United Prsssl
MIAMI. Fla, March s.--Answcr-
ing your inquiry. l oeg 10 call at
tention TO the fact that there are
two questions instead OF one. The
FIRST involves the fhouSter and the
second the merits OF the proposed
legislation.
! am against flIbustering and
have for several years been advo-
eating a clotuTe rule In the senate.
I believe IN the right OF the major
ny 10 rule and am sorry TO learn
from press dispatches that the sen
ate Is inclined 20 require Two
thirds vote for the closing OF de
Late.
A majority vote ought TO be sun
cient, after each senator has be IN
given reasonable opportunity 70 ex-
I ress his views. To require two
thirds vote Is 70 give the predatory
interests the same lower that they
now have 10 prevent legislation hos
tile TO their privileges
As long as the rules permit a
minority TO costruct legislation. We
may expect them 20 b. emf loyed 10
prevent progressive legislation iust
as they we're employed tpo years
ago 10 enable the shipping trust &c
uefeat the presid mt shipping hill
Whether the senators should use
4 a he. rtrlaa g.. 1aNnoN
ure Is a matter entirely In the dis
erection OF the Senators. who are
responsible TO the general public
alone. when be uses his veto 10 de.
feat = measure passed by major.
ity OF the senate AMI house
So far a. I have seen expresSi Jns
from the senator's nearly all ~ those
who voted against authorizing the
srming OF ships. did so for the pur,
compelling an extra session OF con.
Eress, or because they objected ID
the phraseology OF the bill. Since
the president has power 20 call
special session OF congress at any
time, and ask for legislation he de-
sires. the lingo press will hni Il
dificult To convince the public that
there In anything reasonable In the
desire 10 have congress in session.
Even the most warlike newspa-
psrs will hardly insist upon the
abolition OF congress now, whatever
they might have the boldness to ad
vocate In time OF war.
The second question relates to
the merits OF the bill. so far as
am able 20 Judge. the objections
urged were not to giving authority
TO the president. but related 70 the
language to be employed. and suro
ly II congressional authority is
needed. the members OF congress
cannot fairly be denied discretion
az TO the language TO be employed
Everyone recognizes that the givI
ipg OF authority involves serious
risks.
The public has such complete con.
ndenoe In the president that con.
| gress would not hesitate 10 confer
upon him any power that he could
himself use. but the president can.
not ride on the ships himself, or
handle the guns. He cannot even
direct the man who pulls the trig-
Ger.
The expert gunner will be some
1000 miles from Washington when
he carries out the authority confer.
red He will not only have the ex
pert's desire to test his skin. but he
will be under the immediate direc
ton OF q shipovner who may have
a large pecuniary interest In land.
ing q contraband cargo.
The president has not asked con
gress to surrender 90 him authority
to declare war; IL u strange that
congress should hesitate % put an
expert gunner ia a position where
by his mistake. or By a mistake OF
an interested shlpovner. he may
commit an act OF war;
The senate and house did not
agree ~ 20 the phra~oOlogy OF the
! proposed hili The ssnate wanted 90
Include other instrumsnjsiiiief
which The house thought tho vague
4 q HaagrfnfLen Of tke 49, - rsrsf e.