Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-03-02
Senate Republicans Spurn Talk
fest Tactics, Though Firmly
Opposing Measure; Fail to
Amend Draft.
RECESS PUTS FINISH TO
La toilette FILIBUSTER
Sherman Flags Colleagues for
Failure to "CaII Presidents
Bluff; Threatens to Refuse
to Return to Senate.
BY L. c. MARTIN.

Washington, March 1.-Passage of
the Victory loan bill this session ap-
peared certain late tonight when senate
Republican leaders announced that
none of their members apparently was
planning to filibuster against the meas
ure.
1t was about 11:3O o'clock when SEN
ator Smoot, after canvassing the situ-
alton, declared:
mo one that I know of on the Re-
publican side is going to do any fill
clustering on this measure 1t appears
likely to go through very soon"
At the same time, Senator Fenrose
admitted the passage of the measure
was evident" though he declared it
was being put through, at the point
Of the bayonet."
"NEvER AGAIN."
am powerIess to prevent it,"
he said. "Never before has con-
sress abdicated it's power in this re-
spect. ! refer particularly to tho
provision allowing the secretary of
the treasury to fix tho interest
rate. !, for one, have cast my last
vote in favor Of giving autocratic
ef'N SNh' PoWSTS 10 IUe
executive departments. ! shall vote
against the bill on this ground"
At this hour Republican opposition
was being confined to efforts to amend
the bill and failing in this, many Re-
publicans said they would vote against
it on final passage. 1t is certain, how
ever. that these votes would not be suf-
ficiently numerous to endanger the bill.
Senator Smoot Utah. while raising
objections to the bill indicated that op-
position was futile.
Il believe that no amendments to this
bill are to be allowed and it is to pass
just as reported" he said after having
asserted that the bill as it stands could
not pass at any other time than in =
last minute rush.
LODGE OBJECTS.
Senator Lodge also objected to the
bill especially the provision allowing
the secretary of the treasury to deter
mine the rate of interest on the vic
tory loan. He suggested that $500, ,O0o,-
600 would be ample for the war finance
corporation, instead of the billion dol
lars which the bill now carries.
The unwillingness of Republicans to
SotAAaAiit ShcAiSSiNSS dis u party TO Il
filibuster, was based. it was said af-
ter the caucus, on the fear that fail
ure of the Victory loan bill might
cause serious financial distress in the
country for which blame would be
laid on them. Many senators felt that
1t was danger too great to sponsor.
Others were determined to flight
1t out" with the president to force an
extra session. Senator Sherman bolt
ed the conference, because, 1t was
said his colleagues refused to call "the
presidents bluff" Sherman, In ap-
parent anger, said he had notified the
Republican leaders that II they per-
sisted in their refusal to fight he
would not return to tho senate at the
next session.
Whether Sherman will take up the
,udgel alone against the president was
not certain as the senate began dis
,ussion of the bill. 1t is known other
republicans in the conference stood
With Sherman against yielding but it
could npt be ascertained early to-
hight whether these forces could join
n fighting the bill.
rs to 12 AGAINST.
Senators said that an informal vote
n the conference. resulted Is to 12
lgainst a filibuster. The filibuster
notion was made by Senator France,
Maryland.
Meantime, President Wilson stood
'at" on his announced decision not to
all an extra Session. The senate had
ecessed at 5:o7 p. m. to allow the
republicans to confer.
Previous to the recess, decision by
he senate to lay aside the oil leasing
Ill and take up the Victory loan
Measure brought to an end filibuster
tarted by Senator La Toilette against
he oil bill at 1:4o o'clock this after
oon. A
The call for recess found La Fol-
stte on his feet. going strong" after
hree hours and twenty-seven minutes
{ speaking. and assuring that ne
'ould resume IL the oil leasing bill
'as again brought before the cham
or La Follette's outbreak today
anne after long speeches by Senators
.nox and Hardwick against President
Visions league of nations covenant.
Throughout the day there has been
sports OF general Republican fiji
uster against the pending appropria-
- - l.. -