The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-03-01
SENATE COMMITTEE
AGREES ON BILL
Measure Is Amended and Vote Is
Expected Today.
EXTRA SESSION IN SIGHT
Opposition by La Toilette and Others
Expected - President Confident
Full Power viii Be Granted
by Congress.

Washington, Feb. 2S.-The senate
committee on foreign relations unani-
mously reported a bill for the arma-
ment of American merchantmen, con-
ferring authority upon the president
TO employ such instrumentalities and
methods as he may deem necessary to
| protect American ships and American
citizens and granting him credit of
| 500, 100000 for these purposes.
The house committee held two long
sessions during the day and then ad-
journed until late today.
| The senate will begin considers ton
Of the bill Immediately after the reve-
nue. bin is disposed Of. The bill will be
kept before the senate until 1t is
passed. There will be opposition of
fered by Senator La Toilette and one
or two others, and they are hopeful of
| Glibustering until the expiration of the
session, thereby precipitating an extra
session.
To Hurry Bill in House.
The house Is expected to pass the bill
shortly after 1t shall be reported by the
house foreign affairs committee. With
this committee during the day sat the
rules committee. The latter commit
tee is preparing to bring in rule linn
lting debate, fixing the time for vote
and preventing the consideration of a
whole stack of amendments, such as
general embargo, which are in course
Of preparation.
Changes in Senate Bill.
The measure provided in the first
section THAT the president be and
hereby is authorized and empowered
to supply merchant ships, the prop
| erty of citizens of the United States
and bearing American registry, with
defensive arms, should 1t, in his judg-
ment, become necessary for him to do
so, and also with the necessary am
munition and means of making use of
them in defense against unlawful at
tack"
The committee bill provides THAT
the commanders and crews of all
merchant vessels of the United
States and bearing the registry of the
| United States are hereby authorized
TO arm and defend such vessels against
unlawful attack and the president is
hereby authorized and empowered to
supply such vessels with defensive
arms fore and aft and also with the
necessary ammunition and means of
making use OF them"
Must Wait for Request.
The president, under the senate bill,
| therefore, cannot ut his option arm
merchantmen. He must, however, rec
ognize the right of American ships to
arm, and he may, upon their request,
furnish them with guns, ammunition
and gunners.
What senator's and members of the
house objected to particularly was
that provision Of the first section of
the administration bill authorizing
and empowering the president ito
| employ such other instrumentalitie
and methods rs may in his judgment
and discretion seem necessary and
|
| the citizens of the United States In
their lawful and peaceful pursuits on
the nigh seas.
That provision appears in the com
mittee bill exactly as worded in the
administration measure. The credit
Of $100,000000 is extended through the
sale of per cent bonds, bur the com
mlttcc bill specifically limited to $780,
100000 tho amount available for war
risk insurance.
Committee Backs Wilson.
The senate committee considered
for several hours the meaning OF the
language of the administration bill
ana finally began consideration of
! the amendments offered by Senators
Borah of Idaho and Sutherland of
Utah, intending TO clarity and re-
strict the presidents authority under
the first section
The president followed the proceed
lngs in congress with the greatest at
tention. At his instance Postmaster
| General Bureson was In consultation
during the day with Chairman Flood
Of the house committee and Chair
man Stone Of the senate committee.
Later IN the afternoon Secretary Tu-
multy was In conference with Demo
cratic senator's.
Wilson 10 Confident.
AS a result. the president Is salts
fled that congress will give him the
authority he seeks. The house bill
may differ In one or two respects
from the senate bill. In this case the
measure will 20 to conference, where
It will be worlod in fashion 70 suit
| fhn glfnf oy,ptttf,tn