Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1915 — EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS CERTAIN [ARTICLE]

EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS CERTAIN

Filibuster of Administration Ship Purchase Bill Has Occupied Time of Congress. Washington, Feb. 10.—Republican and democratic senators who appose the government ship purchase bill, aided by Senators Norris and Kenyon, progressive republicans who have stood by the bill, forced an adjournment tonight of the longest continuous session in the history of the senate and made more uncertain than ever the fate of the measure which the administration has so uigently pressed upon congress, Upon the adjournment, after 54 hours and 11 minutes of continuous debate, leading members of both houses of congress conceded that an extra session to be called soon after March 4 seemed inevitable. There were some, however, who still hoped that there yet might 'be time to dispose o>f appropriation bills and the ship purchase measure in some form before adjournment. Adjournment came on a motion made by Senator O’Gorman, which prevailed 48 to 46, after Senator Norris, deploring the fatiguing filibuster, had proclaimed his conclusion that opponents of the ship purchase bill could filibuster it to its death.

Disappointed over the loss of support from the progressive republicans, but still hopeful that something yet could be done to save the bill, administration leaders of the senate would not admit that the cause was lost. Anticipating a break in the senate, President Wilson had been conferring during the day with house leaders on plans for getting the bill before the house, and such a course may be taken, though the senate republicans insist that their fight will continue until the end of the session, no matter what the administration forces may accomplish on the house side.