Evening star., 1923-02-11
Advent of British Debt Meas.
ure Presages Fight in
Ranks of Majority.
MAY BAR LAME DUCKS
FROM VOTE ON SUBSIDY
Debate Limit Program by Senator
Jones Promises Sharp Fight
in Chamber.

With Congress adjourning sine die
at the end of another three weeks,
the troubles of the much harassed
administration shipping bill have
multiplied so that even its friends
said last night that its ultimate fate
was shrouded in increased doubt.
Several new plans Of attack upon
the bill were laid yesterday, and
compromise move among republicans
desiring drastic amendments was in
stituted at a conference with Presi-
dent Harding at the White House.
Senator McNary. republican. Oregon.
author of several amendments modi-
flying the subvention and other pro-
visions of the bill. together with sew
eral other senators, discussed a COM
promise plan with the President, but
action went over until this week,
when Chairman Lasker of the Ship
ping Board Is to be consulted.
Win Preliminary Victory.
In the Senate during the day ad-
ministration forces won a preliminary
victory when they were able by a
vote Of 81 to 26 to order that the
Senate meet earlier than usual to-
morrow to resume consideration of
the bill. Seven republican opponents
of the shipping bill voted with the
democrats against the proposal, but
| the totals were hailed by administra-
tion senators as barometer OF
| strength IL they could bring the bill
to vote. Administration leaders
claimed flfty-three pledges for the
bill, but some of these were said to
favor radical revision.
Late yesterday after another speech
of nearly five hours by Senator
Fletcher. democrat, Florida, against
the bill. Senator Jones, republican,
Washington, the administration man
ager for the measure, proposed
another agreement to curtail debate
in an effort to bring about a vote
Under the plan each senator would be
limited after February 16 to one hour
on the bill and thirty minutes on
amendments. If the bill should not be
passed, 8 still sharper limit would
become effective February 20. Oppo-
nents of the measure indicated they
would refuse unanimous consent for
such an agreement when 1t was
brought up for action tomorrow.
Debt bill Interferes.
Although Senator Jones program
contemplates holding the bill contin-
uously before the Senate until Feb
ruary 20, at least, senators in charge
of the British debt funding bill re-
ported to the Senate yesterday from
committee, said they would move to
bring it up early this week. probably
Tuesday or Wednesday. This move is
expected to have the opposition Of
Senator Jones. who said yesterday
that If laid aside once more, the
shipping bill would be virtually de-
feated.
With republican leaders thus in dis
agreement, the bills opponents were
preparing new moves against the pro-
posed legislation. A motion tomor-
row to recommit the bill. possibly
with instructions to adopt some OF
| the McNary amendments, was planned
from the democratic side. while re-
publican advocates of the Capper
truth-in fabric bill were planning a
motion to have it supplant the ship
ping measure.
Another hostile move faced by the
ship legislation was plan to bar
lame-duck senators from voting IL a
! rall-call should be reached. This, it
| was said, would deprive the admins
tration side of it's margin insuring
| passage. Republicans Of the new
progressive bloc and some democrats
| were said to be cooperating on res
olution which would deprive retiring
| members Of vote, on the ground
| that the shipping bill was an issue
| figuring in their defeat last Novem- =
ber.
| nARInATIIRIST IS H0N0REn