Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-03-06
Thirty-three Democratic Toga-
wearerS Sign Agreement to
Press Measure to Prevent
Future FiIibuStefS,
MINORITY OPPOSES
ANY M0DERNIZATION
New Regulations Can Only Be
Made Under Same Condi-
tons as Preva'I Now 0ppo-
Sition Can Talk Indefinitely,

lay MORNING JousNAl SPECIAL LEASED wiHGI
Washington, March With Presi-
dent Wilson's demand for a change
in senate rules to make impossible
in the future such filibuster as the
one by which a handful of members
defeated the armed neutrality bill
fresh in their minds senate democrats
will caucus tomorrow on a program
for the special session.
The session. called primarily to
pass upon appointments to office, be-
gan formally today and will get down
to business tomorrow.
Senator Owen, who has been the
chief proponent of limited debate
rule for many years is prepared to
bring the subject of cloture before the
caucus and thirty three senator's, most
of them democrats, have signed an
agreement to support the rule he pro-
poses.
Difficult TO Change Rule.
If the caucus decides to stand be-
hind this proposal and make it the
chief issue of the session, the senate
may spend the summer in Washing
ton instead of disposinE of it's work
in u few days as usual, Many Sena-
tors who have participated in various
such fights in the past believe it would
he more difficult TO get the senate to
agree to a limited debate rule than it
would be to get a declaration of war
against Germany or to pass the armed
neutrality bill that died Yesterday be-
cause the rulee s,a ~ senator cannot
be taken from the floor when he
wishes to keep on talking. There has
been no caucus among opponents of
cloture but republicans in the cloak
rooms today predicted that the minor
itY party almost to a man would op-
pose such a rule and openly declared
that there would he some democrats
to side with them,
Public Opinion Aroused.
The biggest present asset Of those
who wish change in the rules is the
president and the public opinion his
statement denOuncing the present
rules is expected to arouse. Never
before in the history of the many sug
gestions that have been made for such
a change has a president openly
aligned himself in its favor, nor has
public attention generally been called
to what he considers fault in its
method of procedure. The president
=. hi, q
for a change but even optimistic
champions of cloture think it will be
to keep public interest CEN
tered on such a question. a majority
can force open debate but to do so
would offer opportunity for public
discussion of the present situation and
possibly strengthen the European
opinion that congress is divided in
the president in his inter-
national policy
Minority Opposition.
Tho republicans, aside from ant
personal views they may have about
the presidents statement and its in
tent to force change in the pro-
3edure of the legislative branch, will
oppose the proposed rule just as min
Orities always oppose it because un-
limited debate is one Of their most
potent weapons. The progressive re-
publicans who participated in the kill
ing of the armed neutrality bill are
to be exceedingly bitter
,Ver the presidents statement de-
nouncing them. 1t is pointed out, too,
hat they often have profited by fill
busters and some of them Were pre-
pared to employ one this year against
he river and harbor bill if it ever had
cached the senate floor.
Fight Is Inopportune.
Some senators do not regard fight
over the rules at this time as particu-
arly opportune because they say
here is no one in the senate who
actually can lead majority no matter
what title may be given him and !
or not the president puts the
power OF his backing behind him. 80 4
There are sixteen new senators and |
low they will stand on a cloture rule |
,obody knew tonight. 1t is regarded |
rs probable that for the time being, |
hey will for the most part line up |
With their respective parties and ap-
their coming will make little !
difference in a rules fight.
If thirty or forty senators are op-
,osed to a change, since the senate |
must operate under the rules that |
low exist until it can change them,
hey would be able to talk about as
ong as the senate cares to stay in
ession, invoking the very tactics
which the president wants barred in
he future.
Unless the rules fight comes up at
nee, the senate probably will pro-
'ced with combinations when the