Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-03-08
AGREES To
LIMIT DEBATES
Both Parties Vote Approval of
CIoture Rule.
TO PREVENT FILIBUSTERING
Vote on Proposal Due This Week
New Rule Provides That TWO
Thirds Majority Can Shut Off
Debate on Pending Measure.

Washington, March 8.-A bipartisan
alliance in the senate Of the United
States is prepared TO overthrow the
traditions Of more than 4 century and
limit debate in the upper house to
meet the present international crisis.
a modified form of clOture was agreed
upon by both Democrats and Republic
ans in Independent causus and it will
be laid before the senate today. with
administration leaders convinced that
it will finally be adopted. The adOp-
ton Of the clOture proposal would
clear the way for an immediate call for
an extraordinary session Of congress
to vest the president with full and
complete power to protect American
rights at sea.
More Drastic Form Urged.
The change in the senate rules was
framed by joint committee of the
Democratic caucus and the Republican
caucus and within a few hours was in
dOrsed by both caucuses. The Demo
Gratis accepted the proposal unanimous
ly, although some administration lead
ers urged a more drastic form OF clio
ture titan that framed by the commit.
tee. The Republican caucus voted 80
| to I'm favor of the cloture rule.
There will be some opposition to
| the cloture rule on the senate floor,
| said Senator Lewis Of Illinois, whip of
| the Democratic organization, "but it
will pass without a doubt
1t was stated that the leaders antici-
pated about a week of debate on the
new proposal and that it will be forced
to a vote at the end of that time. If
an effort is made to filibuster against
the proposal, the Democratic-Republic-
| an alliance is prepared to take dras-
| tic steps in parliamentary practice to
halt the opposition.
Text of Proposed Rule.
| The new rule as adopted by both
caucuses would allow twothirds Of the
senate to limit debate on any pending
measure. The rule as adopted reads ::
''That if at any time a motion signed
! by 10 senators, to bring to a close the
debate upon any pending measure, As
| presented to the senate, the presiding
officer shall at once state the motion
TO the senate and. one hour after the
senate meets on the following calendar
day but one, he shall lay the motion
before the senate and direct that the
secretary call the roll, and, upon the
ascertainment that a quorum is pres
ent. the presiding officer shall, without
debate, submit to the senate by an
aye-and-nay vote the question:
"Is it the sense of the senate that
the debate shall be brought to a close?
And if that question shall be de-
cided in the affirmative by twO-thirds
| vote of those voting, then said measure
shall be the unfinished business to the
exclusion of all other business until
disposed of.
"Thereafter no senator shall be en-
| titled to speak in all more than one
hour on the pending measure, the
amendments thereto and motions af-
fecting the same, and it shall be the
duty of the presiding officer to keep
| the time of each senator who speaks.
| Except by unanimous consent no
| amendment shall be in order after the
! vote to bring the debate to a close, I'M
less the same has been presented and
read prior to that time. No dilatory
motion or dilatory amendment, or
amendment not german shall be in
order Points % order, including ques-
tons Of relevancy and appeals from
| the decision of the presiding officer
| shall be decided without debate"
Under this rule. after two-thirds of
the senate vote to close debate. 90
hours of discussion will be allowed,
Rail UNION HEAD Talks