Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-06

"assaenusetts, reintrO.
duoed in the senate today the
armed ship bill. Senator {Thona.
made the point Of order that con.
sress was not in session, which
Woe President Marshall sustained,
washington. March 6--President
wilson. 1t was stated with authority
today, will do everything possible to
md way to arm American ships and
protect them in other ways from SUBJ
marine danger In spite of the failure of
the senate to pass a bill giving him
power
A final decision on whether the pres
ident can legally arm the ships without
specific authorization is expected short
~. The opinion expressed during the
senate's debate of the bill that without
action by congress the president has
no right to arm American merchantmen
was taken into consideration and the
president will not act until he is GER
tain.
In deciding the legal status OF the
question the president and his advisers
are considering the intent Of the old
statute passed in 1919, as cited in tha
senate, prohibiting the arming of mer-
chantmen for defense
Extra Session Later.
An extra session Of congress before
July l. to pass appropriations. II for no.
other purpose. seemed today to he cer-E
tain If the senate amends Its rules so
prompt action can be taken on m
armed neutrality bill AN extra session
0. congress may be expected within
two or three weeks. lt
Messages which came to government
officials today froom all parts OF the
country criticized in bitter terms the
senators who prevented action OF the
armed neutrality bill.
Kenyon Says He Didn't Filibuster.
Senator's Vardaman, of Mississippi,
and Kenyon, OF Iowa. two OF the twelve
senators who did not sign the manifesto
in favor of tho armed neutrality bill.
and who were referred to In the group
by the president as "a little group OF
wiIful men who had rendered the coun-
try helpless and, contemplate before
the world" explained to the senate to-
day that they had not been in complies
ity to prevent vote on the bill.
Senator Williams. replying to his
colleague. declared emphatically that
President Wilson was right In his crit
icSm of the senators who made legis-
lation by an overwhelming majority
impossible in n national crisis and
whatever might have been their motive,
they. and not congress. were respon-
sible for the United States being help
less and contemplate before the
world
Senator Tardan,an rose TO 4 ques-
ton OF personal privilege to state he
did not desire to prevent a vote on the
bill but would not have voted for it.
''Tt Is not my purpose to make an ex-
PLANTATION" said Senator Vardatnaa, II
prefer my actions and words interpret
themselves. But | noticed that my name
appeared as one of the little group OF
wilful men charged with the crime OF
preventing the presidents program
from being carried out e
Democrats OF the senate In caucus
today elected Senator Martin. Of Nir-
GINA majority floor leader, and Soma
tor King, the new member from Utah,
secretary OF the caucus.
Navy Speeds Up Program.
The navy department today began
It's campaign to speed UP new construc-
ton when representatives Of ship
building plants and submarine compa-
MES were called into conference by
Secretary Daniels with relat& IN to the
half billion dollar naval bill. Me COM
panies asked to attend the meeting
were the Fore River Ship Building
Company, William Cramp 6; Sons, the
Electric Boat Company, the New York
Ship Building Company and the Lake
Torpedo Boat Company.
Bids will be opened during the pres
ent month. Proposals for eight addi-
tional sOO-ton submarines will be adj
vertised without delay. The placing OF
five battleship cruisers will be arranged
In conference with ship builders. Plans
for three $4,000 ton dreadnaughts will
not be ready for some weeks.
Secretary Daniels hoped to be able to-
day to secure CO. cooperation OF the ship
building companies to hasten the navy
program to completion. It was thought
that the first exercise of a new author
ity granted by congress would be the
suspension OF the eight-hour law as ap-
Piled to contract work for the navy.
Secretary Daniels stated he would not
hesitate to commander private plants
il necessary.
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