Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-03-02
Vote on Measure Giving
President Power to Arm
Ships, 403-13.
LIMIT HIS AUTHORITY
"Other InStrumentalities'
Clause Striken; Bill
Now to Senate.

WASlllNGTON. Marcel IA bill to
empower the president 10 arm NOR
chant ships. lat not cN bending the au-
uuriiy ne requested 20 use "other
instrumoutJiitics' In defending Amer
lean rights aglinst the su uJmaripe
menace was passed by the house to.
luTht by q vote Of i03 to 13.
Speaker Clark announced the vote
amid applause and cheering. Oppusi-
ton TO the bill had failcd during the
day before patriotic appeals from
leaders vn both fida Of the house and
at roll call only nine Republicans,
three Democrats and the Socialist Not-
cd in the negative. They were:
Rcnublicans-Benclict of Cali
fornia, Cary and Cooper OF WIS
consin, IiclgCscn of North pa
koia. Lindbcrgh and Davis of
Minnesota, Nelson ana stafford
of Wisconsin and Wilson Of I'LL
nOiS.
Democrats Decker and
Shacl>lciord of Missouri and
Sherwood of Ohio.
SCCiali>t-Iondon of New York
The measure wcs sent to the sen
ate whore II is expected the senate
committees bill approved by the
president and authorizing not only the
amlng Of ships but the employment
Of other inStrumcntalities" vii. be
substituted.
a Flood of Patriotism.
All proposed amendments to the
measure, except those added in con-
iuittec, We're rejected by the house
under an avalarche OF votes. Never
since the questions arising out OF the
European war began to agitate tho
house aim lst three years ago has
there been such a display of patriotic
nonpartisanship as was witnessed to-
day in The chambers.
Democrats and Republicans. even
most Of the members who heretofore
have aligned themselves with the eX-
treme p1citlst group joined I'm fighting
for the hill. Representative Bailey OF
Pennsylvania, generally recognized ls
reflcctnE the views Of William Jen.
rings Bryan, voted in tho affirmative
Fcmocratic Leader Kitchin, who here
tOfore always has stood against the
adminstratiOn's preparedness plans,
and Republican Leader Mann, whose
uttcrances often have been strongly
opposed to the presidents intcrna-
tlonal policies. voted for the measures,
the latter having supported it in a
vigorous spirit.
From the time the rule for consid-
GRAFTON of the bill was brought up in
the house shortly after noon until
final roll call was taken ten hours
later, the resolution never was in
doubt.
Fight Hard
Led by Representatives. Cooper Of
Wisconsin and Campbell of Kansas,
both Republicans, opponents of the
measure made determined fight,
however. They were not united on any
one specific objection. Representa-
tive Cooper based his position on the
contention that the bill would author
lie discrimination against Germany in
that 1t would permit the arming of
ships carrying munitions to the al
lies and that by arming such ships
the United States would commit an
act Of war. Representative Campbell
contondcd that passage Of the bill
would be equivalent to surrender by
congress Of its right TO make war. a
little group of pacifists opposed un-
alterably the Use OF arms for any rca-
SON but played only a small part in
the fight.
Can Put Thru Senate Bill.
The house leaders, expecting the
senate to pass its bill as a substitute,
say they can put thru the senate bill
If il comes to them.
The house bill. besides eliminating
the phrase "other instrumentalities, q"
also carries Il committee amendment
which would prohibit insurance OF
munition ships under the war risk
fund to which the president is author
lied to transfer a part of the $780,
900. 600 derived from the bond issue
provided for in the bill. Such ves-
sells are not being insured by the gov
ernment now but the amendment is
considered undesirable by the admin
istration.