Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-03-02

Those urging filibuster, leaders stated believed that a patriotic duty would be done by forcing an extra session in favor of certain failure of much important legislation and con- sidering industrial and other condi- tions over the country. Opponents of the filibuster declared that obstruct. ion would be misconstrued as partisan and also, that failure of the loan bill might cause serious unrest in financial circles.
 Enactment of the loan and railroad bills, it was believed would leave President Wilson free to postpone the extra session until after May or June.
 The republican conference was held from 5:3O o'clock to o'clock while the senate decessed under agreement with democratic leaders after a day of debate on the league of nations and virtual defeat of the oil and coal Ind leasing bill by single handed filibus- ter conducted by Senator Lafollette, of Wisconsin, republican, who preven- ted it from reaching a vote.
 Defeat Motion.
 In spite of the defeat, 13 to 12, of motion of Senator rFance, of Maryland, to conduct a filibuster, those offending the conference said individual republicans were left free to filibuster if they should so elect:
 The house worked on minor con- ference reports and bills, awaiting the outcome of affairs in the senate, the leaders believing it useless to pass house bills if a senate filibuster on the victory loan bill would prevent their consideration in the senate.
 Washington, March 1.-Republican senators tonight failed to reach an agreement as to their course on the "Victory Loan" bill which was called up in the senate today by administra- tion leaders who sought to bring diff ferences over legislation to an issue. The republicans met in conference at the call of Senator Lodge, of Massa- chusetts to discuss the advisability of blocking the loan measure in an eff fort to force an extra session of the new congress.
 Some of them attending the con- ference said majority of the sena- tors were opposed to a fillibuster on the bill. Many fthe minority, how. ever, were said to vigorously favor obstructive tactics and as the confer ence left each senator free to shape his own course on the floor, obstruct. ion was possible.
 Senate RecOnvenes.
 The senate reconvened at 2 o'clock and the democratic leaders proceeded to press the loan measure with the promise that if filibuster was un- dertaken the senate would be held in continuous session night and day un- til adjournament, if necessary.
 A motion of Senator France, of Maryland, to filibuster against the loan bill was defeated, 15 to 12, it was stated, with many of the senators refraining from voting. Several sena- tors, including Lafollette, of Wiscon- sin, and Norris, of Nebraska, did not attend.
 Senator Sherman, of Illinois, left the room i'll the midst of the confer ence and told newspaper men he had given notice that because of the evil dent disposition mot to force an ex- tra session and call the presidents bluff" he was disposed not to return to Washington after March 4th.
 Senators Will Oppose. The net result of the conference, according to republicans, was that several senators who favor filibust- CT were in position to proceed but without the formal approval of their party council. Some of these senators indicated tonight that they were dis posed to obstruct the measure despite the majority against such action Oth- CT republicans declared they would not be party to any obstructive tactics and, on the contrary, would assist the democrats i'll passing the bill. Several prominent republicans pre- dicted that the measure ultimately would be passed. They also predicted that the wheat guarantee and the general deficiency bill carrying $780, O00,OOO for the railroad administration would be neacted. /? In anticipation of long session to- night the democratic leaders had the senate sergeant -at-arms bring the heavy army blankets and extra chairs so senators could rest if they desired, After Chairman Simmons. of the fi- nance committee, had explained the loan bill in detail for more than two hours, general debate began. Sena- tor Lodge spoke briefly, opposing the granting of authority to the secretary of the treasury to fix the interest rates on the $7.000,OOO,0OO of short term notes authorized by the measure. He decblarcd that this, together with the right to say how many are to be issued, were enormous powers" and wholly useless.
 Urges Modification.
 Modification of the house bill to i limit the bonds to two classes, with I the interest rate of the first to be 8 1-2 percent and that of the second at 4 1-2 percent, according to the amount of notes exempted from taxation was urged by the senator.
 Senator Shoot, of Utah, republican, deplored the demand for nasty enact