The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-08
Movement Started to Gust
Him as Chairman of
Committee
HIS OWN PARTY
HEADS MOVEMENT
His Action on Armed Ship
Measure Denounced in
Many Cities

Washington, March s.--A bitter fight
against re-electing William j. Stone to
the Craftsmanship of the foreign rela-
tions committee will be made by mem
bers OF his own party, despite the here
tofore jnviolable seniority rule that has
always prevailed in such matters.
One of the most prominent Democratic
senators, who was one of the leaders in
the fight TO pass the armed neutrality
measure, is authority for this statement.
However, he admits the fight has as yet
taken no definite shape.
A unique situation, however, exists in
the new Senate. Senator Kern last Fri
day presented a resolution which was
adopted, continuing the Senate commit
tees of the cath Tor last Congress dur
ing the present special session of the
Senate.
In the midst of the rules fight Tuesday
Senator Owen declared that the Gath
Congress presumed too much authority
in attempting to continue its committees
through the special Senate session of the
65th Congress. He argued that mas
much as the Gath Congress died Sunday
it could not in any way govern or even
suggest rules for the new Senate which
was sworn in Monday.
Senator Hitchcock, who ranks next to
Stone on the foreign relations committee,
will, it is confidently believed, succeed
Stone as chairman should the fight de-
velop strength enough to GUST him.
Lukewarm supporters OF Senator Stone
defend him, saying that he did his duty
as chairman of the committee in report
ing the armed neutrality bill, in getting
it out of committee and before the Sen
ate They say that not until the bill
was before the Senate did Stone express
his personal opinion and leave the bill to.
the mercy of "the filibustering few"
Others, however, including some cab
met members, said they were inclined to
believe "Stone's constituency wanted
him to DO as he did" They very frankly
declared they do not believe there is any
i'll feeling on either side between Stone
and the president in the matter, in view
of the close personal and political rela
tions that are known to have existed,
These said the president "eyen now
has no i'll feeling for Stone, merely re-
GREETING the grave error he made" and
that they 40 not look for the president
to take any part in any house cleaning
the Senate may decide on"
Senator Stone denied himself to every
one yesterday. Even notes sent in to |,
him in seclusion in his office saying the |
would like to hear his side of |
the case, failed to draw him out. He re-
fused absolutely to see anyone.
Denounced in Home City.
st. Louis. March s.--Senator William |
J. Stone was hard hit yesterday in reso-
buttons passed by several Democratic
ward organizations Tuesday night He
was branded a traitor" and asked to
give an account of his action in not sup
porting President Wilson's armed neu-
trality. Each organization Endorsed an
editorial printed in the Post Dispatch,
which said in part:
Lack of cloture rule is not the only
law in the organization of the United
StatAs Senate. There is another-there
8 'Gumshoe Bill Stone at the head of
he foreign relations committee.
Resignation from the chairmanship of
he foreign relations committee and from
he Senate would be the most becoming
ct OF Stones career. If Stone is not
nan enough to resign the Craftsmanship
le should be kicked out by the patriotic
Majority"