Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-24
Republicans Fight Attempt
to Clothe the Executive
With Unlimited Authority
in Handling international
Situation.
SMOOT ADMITS THE
MINORITY's OBJECT
Objection Made to the Plan
to Permit the President to
Run Foreign Affairs to
Suit Himself-Extra Ses-
sion Seems Inevitable.

Washington, Feb. "a
"The marshalling of the Re-
publican forces in congress
for an uncompromising fill
buster against passage OF all
administration legislation, is
n direct effort to. Illustrate
attempts to clothe President
Wilson with unlimited au-
.thority to handle the inter
national situation" Senator
Reed Smoot admitted to the
United Press today.
should congress vest in the presi-
dent the authority he is known to de-
sire" Smoot said, ut would empower
him to lead the country into virtual
state Of war. 1t might prove disastrous
to the country"
TO MAKE POSITION CLEAR.
President Wilson is only Interested"
In the Republican filibuster at the cap
itol, 1t was stated today. 1t was
strongly intimated, however. that this
interest might tend to develop into
definite line Of procedure by the presi-
dent, tending to make his position
clear "before the people of the coun-
try"
During the carly hours Of today,
Postmaster General Burleson, legisla-
tive major domo of the cabinet, can
vassed carefully the extent OF damage
done so far by the minority filibuster-
Ing and what ammunition and NUM-
tions they may have in reserve. He
called at the White House about noon
TO tell the president about it.
Shortly there were as many differ
ent varieties Of rumors regarding pos
sibility OF the presidents expected ap
pearance before a joint session ar
there are officials.
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT.
Some said il the filibuster developed
sufficient strength to make an extra
session certain, the president would
Just as certainly go before congress.
outline as freely as the delicate situa-
ton warrants the status of the situa-
tion and make an appeal for undvid
ed support on non partisan, patriotic
grounds.
Some administration lieutenants
frankly declared such tactics were GER
tain to be msconstrued abroad and
especially in q country with which
this government has no diplomatic re-
lations.
IF the administration agrees not
10 press this authorization at this
time" Smoot continued. II should say
there will be no extra session. How
ever. l am merely voicing my personal
belief"
smoot is one Of the old guard lead
ers who conceived and put the fill
buster plans at the minority caucus.
MINORITY SCORES POINT.
At the outset today Republican
leaders outgeneraled the Democrats
and forced the legislative bill into
precedence over the favored son reve-
nue. measure in the senate.
Such tactics. II continued, success
fully. means only one thing-an extra |
session.
CALL ACTION HiGH.HANDEp.
Republican leaders, on the other |
hand. declared it too much to expect
the president to carry all the weight /
OF the vast problems, chiefly interna-
tional. which Immediately confront
this nation. Others were not 30 gen.
srous. They termed the presidents
obvious desire to get congress out OF
the way high handed.
The Republicans, ''old guard" and
alike. today cast off all
hint Of disguise and started anew on
their now admitted filibuster, began
quietly yesterday shortly after con-
grcss convened.
NO rOUeT AS TO PURPOSE.
There was little doubt today regard
Ing the Republican purpose. The
mem hora are defnerninedl L