Evening star., 1919-03-02
Mr.. La Toilette Holds Floor
and Others Ready to
Follow Him.
REPUBLICANS NOT A UNIT
ON FILIBUSTER TACTICS
Leaders on Both Sides Predict Bill
VIII Pass and Extra Ses-
sion Effort Fail.

An "unorganized" fiiibuster against
the victory liberty bond bill was get
ting under way in the Senate at mid
night.
Although q republican conference
| earlier in the evening had declined TO
vote an organized flibuster against
the bill and leaders on both sides were
predicting that the measure ultimate
ly would get through, several of the
long distance takers of the Senate
were ready at midnight to take the
floor
Senators Arrive at Late Hour.
At about this hour Senator La Fol-
lette of Wisconsin entered the cham
Der and piled up large number OF
documents on his desk. 1t was re-
ported Immediately he was ready to
take the floor for long speech.
A little later Senator Sherman of
Illinois appeared wearing his over
coat He conferred with Senator La
Toilette and shortly afterward said
he, too, was ready to enter the talk
ing marathon
L have had nap and a walk" he
said. II think / will get into this"
| Senator France of Maryland and
several other members were believed
to be in reserve, ready to take their
| turn in the relay. adding 10 the un-
certainty as to when the bill would
reach vote.
Just before o'clock the amend
ment of Senator Kenyon to put the
likeness of Theodore Roosevelt OH
the new short-term notes provided
for In the bill was voted down by 81
noes TO % ayes, Then Senator La
Toilette began his speech
At 2:50 o'clock Senator La Foilette
was still holding the aoor. Six sena-,
tors were in their seats and about Zoe
persons were IN the galleries.
| Galleries Crowded.
The intense interest over the con-
/ test between the Senate and the Presi-
dent on the extra session issue was .
indicated by the crowded galleries in
the Senate throughout yesterday and
last night. The galleries were filled
to their capacity. Many of the wives
of senator's appeared at the Capitol
last evening to learn the latest news
Several hours after the loan
measure was taken up no efforts at a
flibuster had been made. although
republican senator's in favor of OBJ
1 49, 80 g.
determine their own actions by con-
ference of minority senator's held late
in the day at the call of Senator
Lodge, to discuss the advisability OF
holding up the bill
The conference was said by some OF
tt ose attending to have been a some
what stormy one and Senator Sher-
man of Illinois left in the middle Of
it after serving notice that because
of the evident disposition NOT 10
call the Presidents biuff" he was dis
posed not to return to Washington
after this session of Congress ends.
Should he not return. the republi-
cans would have only a majority OF
one in the Senate.
Feeling among the republicans over
the legislative situation and reports
that the President had said that re-
sponsibility for the failure to pass
necessary legislation would be placed
on them continued to run high last
night.
See Little Prospect of Success.
Without organized opposition sena-
tors advocating 4 fIibuster conceded
that it could be conducted with small
prospect of success.
Those urging a filibrster, leaders
stated, believed that a patriotic duty
would be done by forcing an extra
session, in view of certain failure of
much important legislation and con-
sidering industrial and other condi-
tions over the country. Opponents of
the filibuster declared that obstruc-
ton would be nisconstrued as parti
san, 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 May or June.
The republican conference was held
from sac O'Clock to o'clock, while
the Senate recessed under agreement
with democratic leaders.
In spite of the defeat, 1S to Il, OF
a motion of Senator France Of Mary
land to conduct filibuster. those at
tending the conference said indi
viduaI republicans were left free "
filibuster if they should so elect
Several senator's. including La Fol-
lette of Wisconsin and Norris OF Ne
braska, did not attend the conference.
Net Result Of Conference.
The net resuit-of the conference, ac-
cording to republicans. was that sew
eraI senators who favor a fiibuster
were in position to proceed, but
without the formal approval of their
party council. Some of these senators
indicated last night that they were
disposed to obstruct the measure. de-
spite the majority apparently against
such action. Other republicans de
clared they would not be . party To
any obstructive tactics and. sH tas