New-York tribune., 1922-12-19
Forces
Firm Against
Norris Attack
Farm Bloc Believed Beaten
in Initial Attempt to
Stampede Senate Away
From Shipping Measure
Fro-i The Trbv-s', Washington Bureau

f'H"N w ANNNNNN \ " MNNNfNNfNN NNNflM
WASHINGTON. Dec. is.-Progres-
sive and farm bloc Senators entered to-
day on well defined effort to STAN
pedo the Senate away from the ship
subsidy bill and into the consideration
OF agricultural legislation.
The motion Of Senator Norris TO take
up his bill for government purchase
and sale Of farm products was presseu.
II was not voted on, but Senator Borah,
Of Idaho, and Senator Brookhart, Of
Iowa, both backed Il. other Progress
sives arc prepared 10 make speeches in
support OF II.
With the Norris motion pending the
Senate recessed until noon tomorrow.
Senator Brookhart will then complete
his speech, and Il Is expected there will
be long debate on the motion. Whether
vote will be reached is uncertain.
Senator Jones early to-day sought a
unanimous consent agreement to vote
on the Norris motion az o'clock to-
morrow, but failed 20 get the agree
ment.
Senate leaders supporting the sub
sldy bill predicted tonight defeat for
the Norris motion, though by a close
vote. The danger that the subsidy bill
will be displaced by The Norris motion
iies in the fear Of 4 number Of SEN
ators Of being put In the attitude Of
standing in the way Of agricultural
legislation.
Whether the Norris motion succeeds
or not, indications increased to-day
that Il will not be long until agri-
cultural relief Is taken up and the
subsidy measure shunted 20 one side.
Senator Mclean. Of Connecticut, chair
man Of the Banking and Currency
Committee, told the Senate he ex-
pected 10 report q farm credits bill
carly next week.
Senator Jones again said to-day he
| intended 20 press the subsidy bill. II
they can defeat the Norris motion the
supporters OF subsidy will feel they
have gained an important point. SEN
ator Watson indicated to-day that, IN
stead Of taking q recess over the holi'
days. the Senate would recess from
Friday 10 Tuesday, thus taking but two
Legislative days OF for Christmas.
This will tend 20 gain some time Tor
the subsidy bill.
Senator Ransdell, Democrat Of Lou
isiana, spoke for several hours to-day
making a foreeful appeal and argu'
ment for the subsidy bill.
Stressing foreign opposition, Senator
Ransdell asked;
"Are foreign born Samuel Gompers
and Andrew Furuseth qualified 70 spee,S
as the real representatives OF amer J.
can labor7 The real Americans who
work on American ships favor TINS Dill
and they have gone on record by the
thousands to that effect"
Senator Ransdell briefly discussed
the relation OF the merchant marine 10
national defense, saying:
ITO my mind the strongest nrgp-
ment in favor OF the bill Is the very
disordered state Of world Affairs wnicn
makes il necessary for Us 20 enlarge,
perfect and maintain our merchant
marine as an essential adjunct TO our
navy. We are entitled % occupy q
position Of equality TO Great Britain
under the four-power pact. but unless
we increase the number OF our fasi
freight and passenger vessels we VIII
continue 20 be far inferior as sea
power TO the British"
Senator Borah, giving attention 70
the argument OF Senator Ransdell in
favor Of the subsidy measure as essen
tial 70 preparedness. quoted from the
message Of the President 20 the effect
there was no cloud Of war on the sky
and 70 the effect the four-power pact
had brought assurance Of peace to the
Pacific.
Senator Borah then drew a picture
Of the serious conditions in agriculture
and demanded agricultural legislation.
Senator Brookhart, OF Iowa, followed
with his maiden speech in the Senate.
Ho charged the Republican leaders in
pressing subsidy with conducting "a
flibtster against the sovereign voice
Of the American people" urged agri-
cultural relief, discussed the transpor-
tation act and high freight rates as
amore the things burdening the
farmer, and pleaded for the Norris
motion.