The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-02

Washington, March 1.-Disregarding all party
lines, the house after day of patriotic fervor TO-
night passed the bill empowering the president arm
American merchant ships and to expend 500 100000
for the protection of American rights The vote
on the measure 403 to 49, nine Republicans three
Democrats and the Socialist member of the house
opposing the bill.
The bill not fully satisfactory the president and
administration leaders plan to amend it before final
enactment to give the president full and complete
authority to the international situation. Senate
leaders plan to take up the measure framed by the
senate foreign relation committee which confers upon
the president broader authority than the house bill
tomorrow and to seek to have the house later accept
the senate provision.
An effort to incorporate in the bill in the house
prohibition against the arming Of ships carrying
munitions to belligerent countries failed by of
295 to 1914 Representative Cooper of Wisconsin,
ranking Republican of the foreign affairs committee,
fathered this proposal and declared that to and
defend merchant ships virtual act Of war This
vote the highest recorded in long battle of votes
by those who sought to limit the scope of the bill.
The Thirteen Negatives.
The thirteen who voted against the final passage of the
bill Representatives Benedict of California; Carey
Cooper Nelson and Stafford of Wisconsin, Davis of Mime
Wilson, of Illinois, Republicans; Drecker and Shackeford of
Missouri and Sherwood of Ohio Democrats; and London
New York Socialist
Majority Leader Ktchin and Minority Leader Mann were
roundy cheerd by their colleagues and by crowded gaere.
they united in support of the president Uncle Joe Cannon
aroused round Of enthusiasm when he shouted Tow would
Abraham Lincoln have voted were he here tonight''
The house voted down all amendments offered including
travelling munitions ships
Main Section of Measure
The main section of the Flood BILL approved by
the house, reads:
THAT the president of the United States be- and is
hereby authorized and empowered supply merchant
ships the property of citizens of the United States and
bearing American registry with defensive arms and
also with the necessary ammunition and of max
ing of them in defense against unlawful attacks
and that he be- and is hereby, authorized and
powered to protect such ships and the citizens of the
United States against unlawful attack while in their
lawful and peaceful pursuits on the high seas
Other of he prOv of
sl0O0000O0 to enable the president carry provisions
Of the bill and authorize bond issue supply the necessary
funds
Stand BY President.
Through terVld torrent of patriotic Democratic
house leaders tonight drove the bill designed to authorizo
President Wilson protect American lives through
rs stage toward the statute books Scores house members
decamaory speeches the support the
dent with the evident hope that he would be able
peace
With the armed neutrality bill sidetracked in the senate
debate the Mexican plot revelations
the house leaders took the initiative They brought forward
the bill prepared by the foreign affairs committee and the
house unanimously adopted special rule limiting debate
the three hours of oraory The house continued
discussion of of proposed amendments Of them
designed to allow members opportunity to make speeches.
The oratorcal eldday continued well into the evening
Not Satisfactory Measure.
The bill framed by the house committee is salts
factory the president but house leaders expect to amend
before it agreed by both house and senate to
the president the power he has requested.
Chairman Flood of the committee foreign affairs OPEN
ing the debate said "a
'Our ports blockaded eifectualy as though d.