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VOL. LVII NO. 17,561.-
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, 3IARCH 5, 1917.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
." v.
A 1
CQIIGRESS DEFIED
BY 12 SEHATOBS
Filibuster Defeats Bill to
Uphold 'Wilson. -
MIN0R1TYDISKEGARDSCR1SIS
Forces Led by La FoIIette,
With Active Support of
Stone of Missouri.
CLOSING DEBATE IS BITTER
Action Is Denounced as Most
Reprehensible in History
of Civilized Nation.
WASHINGTON, March 4. Twelve
Senators, led by Senator La Follette
and encouraged by Senator Stone,
Democratic chairman of the foreign
relations' committee, In a filibuster,
denounced by President Wilson's
spokesmen as the most reprehensible
in the history of any civilized nation,
defied the will of an overwhelming ma
jority in Congress up to the last
minute today and denied to the Presl
dent a law authorizing him o arm
American merchant ships to meet the
German submarine menace,
Unyielding throughout 26 hours of
continuous session to appeals that
their defiance of the President would
be humiliating .to the country; un
compromising in a crisis described to
them as the most serious to the Na
tion since the Civil War, La Follette
and his small group of supporters re
fused a mabrity of their colleagues
an opportunity to vote on the armed
neutrality bill, and it died with the
Sixty-fourth Congress at noon.
76 Senators Sign Manifesto.
To fix responsibility before the
country, 76 Senators, 30 Republicans
and 46 Democrats, signed a manifesto
proclaiming to the world that they
favored passage of the measure.
This declaration, embodied in ' the
record of the Senate, referred to the
fact that the House Thursday night
had passed a similar bill by a vote of
403 to 13 and also recited that the
Senate rule permitting unlimited de
-
caze gave a small minority oppor
tunity to throttle the will of the ma
jority.
Thirteen Senators declined to sign
the declaration, but Senator Pen
rose. Republican, of Pennsylvania, an
nounced that he would have voted for
the bill, had opportunity been afforded
him.
Twelve Constitute Opposition.
The 12 who went on record with the
13 members of the House against
granting to President Wilson the au
thority he asked from Congress
the crisis were:
in
Republicans Clapp, Minnesota; La
Follette, Wisconsin; Cummins, Iowa
Gronna, North Dakota; Kenyon, Iowa
Norris, Nebraska; Works, California.
Democrats Kirby, Arkansas; Lane,
Oregon; O'Gorman, New York; Stone,
Missouri; Vardman, Mississippi.
Associated with them in opposition
to' the armed neutrality bill were the
following Representatives who voted
against the House bill Thursday night
Republicans Benedict, California
Cary,' Wisconsin; Cooper, Wisconsin
Davis, Minnesota; Helgesen, North
Dakota; Lindberg, Minnesota; Nelson,
Wisconsin; Stafford, Wisconsin; Wil
son, Illinois.
Democrats Shackleford, Missouri
Decker, Missouri; Sherwood, Ohio.
Socialist London, New York.
Senators Who Stood by President.
The 76 Senators who signed the
manifesto were:
Democrats A shurst, Bankhead,
Beckham, Broussard, Bryan, Chamber-
Iain, Chilton, Fletcher, Hardwick,
Hitchcock, Hollis, Hughes, Husting,
James, Johnson, South Dakota; Kern,
Lea, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Virginia
Martine, New Jersey; Myers, New-
lands, Overman, Owen, Phelan, Pitt-
man, Pomerene, Ransdell, Reed, Robin
son, Saulsbury, Shafroth, Sheppard,
Shields, Simmons, Smith, Georgia
Smith, Maryland; Smith, South Caro
lina; Swanson, Thomas, Thompson,
Tillman, Underwood, Walsh and Will
iams 46,
Republicans Borah, Brady. Bran
deree. Catron. Clark, Colt. Curtis. Dill
lnsham, DuPont,
Fall,
Fernald, Hard
Coaolwld m P&ss 4. Column 2.)
SENATORS WHO KILLED
ARMED NEUTRALITY BILL
THROUGH FILIBUSTER.
WASHINGTON, March 4.
(Special.) The 12 Senators
seven Republicans and five Dem
ocrats, who by their filibuster
killed the armed neutrality bill
are:
Moses E. Clapp, Republican, of
Minnesota.
, Albert B. Cummins, Republi
can, of Iowa. '
Asle J. Gronna, Republican, of
North Dakota.
William S. Kenyon, Republi
can, of Iowa.
William F,
Kirby, " Democrat,
of Arkansas.
Robert . M. La Follette, Re
publican; of Wisconsin.
Harry Lane, Democrat, of Ore
gon. . . : -
George W Norris, Republican,
of Nebraska.
James A. O'Gorman,' Democrat,
of New York.
William J. Stone, Democrat, of
Missouri.
J. K. Vardaman, Democrat, of
Mississippi.
John D. Works, Republican, of
California.
Senator Wesley L. Jones, Re
publican, of Washington, signed
the round robin with reservations
and then did all he could to kill
the armed neutrality bilL
RICH ARE ASKED TO SAVE
Appeal for Moderation by All In
Eating Is Issued.
NEW YORK, March. 4. An appeal
to th rich and well-to-do of New
York City" to "buy carefully, to eat
moderately, and not waste ' any food
at all" was issued last night by -Mayor
Mltchel's - food supply committee. In
the hope, it was announced, of reduc
Ing- prices to consumers generally.
Reductions in the price -of potatoes
and onions were again reported today,
BRITISH DESTROYER LOST
All Hands ' Go Down With Vessel,
Probably Victim of 311 nc.
LONDON, " March 4. A British de
stroyer was sunk with all hands in the
North Sea on Thursday, the Admiralty
announced today. . .
It is believed she struck a mine, the
announcement -says. . - : ' -
TWELVE UNITED STATES SENATORS WHO PREVENTED ACTION BY
.... - . , tssssSBsssssjBjBasssssSBBSSBBBSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSasSsasjSSl Sl?,,. ffd. - .. . ... I
UPPER ROW (LEFT TO 'RIGHT) ESATOR HARRY tASE, OF OREGOJTl SESATOR ALBERT S. C1JMMIXS, OF IOWA BESATOR JOH3T D. WORKS, OF CALIKORXIAj SEWATOR ROBERT
LA POLLETTE, OF WISCOSSIX. SECOND ROW SENATOR WILLIAM J. STONE, OF MISSOl RI SENATOR S. W. NORRIS. OF NEBRASKA SENATOR JAMES A. O'GORMAN, OF NEW
YORK SENATOR WILLIAM S. KENTON, OF IOWAi SENATOR WILLIAM F. KIRBY, OF ARKANSAS. BOTTOM ROW SENATOR ASLE J. GRONNA. OF NORTH DAKOTA) SENATOR J.
K. VARDAMAN. OF MISSISSIPPI! SENATOR MOSES E.VCLAPP. OK MINNESOTA. ALL OF THESE SENATORS WERE StfUARKLY Olf RECORD AGAINST THE BILL. AT LOWER RIGHT
IS SENATOR WESLEY L. JONES, OF WASHINGTON. WHO SIGNED ROUND ROBIN, WITH RESERVATIONS. BUT DID HIS UTMOST TO HELP DEFEAT BILL.
GUARD HEADS PUN
DRASTIC CHANGES
Men Must Drill, Is
Edict Set Forth.
CONDITION IS UNSATISFACTORY
Portland to Lose One and Pos
sibly Three Companies.
PUZLIC APATHY IS. BLAMED
General Staff Decides Officers Must
Keep Commands Up to Require
ments or Give Them TTp.
No More Nursing Along.
Action of a drastic nature is to he
taken to bring the Oregon National
Guard up . to a hlgher'point of efflci
ency. The general staff held a speclaC
session yesterday rieioon at the
Portland headquarters and decided one
company here will be transferred
once to some other point. Transfers of
other companies will follow unless con
dltions improve. '
Unsatisfactory attendance at drills
and lack of public support of the varl
pus guard units are blamed for present
conditions. The general staff yeBter
day declared it as a new and fixed
policy for the state forces in future
that unless the showings made by the
companies themselves furnish evidence
of their efficiency and fitness for serv
ice -those companies will be disbanded
or transferred promptly. No longer
will lagging organizations be nursed
along if unable to stand alone.
Present at the general staff yester
day were Adjutant-General George A
White, Portland; Colonel John L. May,
Portland; Colonel Creed C Hammond,
Eugene: Major W. W. "Wilson. Portland;
and Captain John A. Buchanan, ' Rose
burg.
Rocking; Chair Patriots Blamed.
It was the general opinion of all these
offlers, after . a close : scrutiny of
conditions, that rocking chair pa
triots and after-dinner enthusiasts have
had their way , with the .Guard ' long
(Concluded on. Page' fl. Column 2.)
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 49
degrees; minimum,. 42 degrees.
TODAY'S Occasional rain: southerly winds.
Submarines.
Coneress -defied by 12 Senators, who kill
armed neutrality bill . with - filibuster.
Page 1.
President without sower to arm ships, in
absence of legislation. Page 1.
Chinese Cabinet Insists on break with Ger
many. Page 1.
Senator Lane fears war would result from
arming ships. Page &.
Three spy suspects travel In liner with ex-
Ambassador Gerard. Page
Senate rendered Impotent by its own rules.
Page 4.
National. -
Impersonator of Miss Rankin plays hoax on
House members. Page 10.
Five hundred women fall to sTt Interview
at White House. Page 8.
Preslden takes official oath. Para 2.
No vacancy created by delay In Inauguration.
Page 3.
Three llfessvlng crews believed lost. Face 11.
Domestic
Zlmmermann message captured by Indiana
soldiers. Page .
Previous inaugural ceremonies described.
Page 2.
Sports.
Gruman says Darcy is still card In New
York. Page 14.
Northwestern League revises constitution.
Page 15.
Dancing with rubber overshoes on ice to
follow Thursday's skating racea Pace 14.
Baseball boosters to meet today. Page 16. "
Beavers lost to Chinese, 4 to 8. Page 14.
Pacific Northwest.
One killed and two injured in Cherry Grove
hotel fire. Page 6.
High schools are taking np military train
ing plan. Page tf.
State . Commissions need more office 'space.
Page 6. ,
Portland and Vicinity.
Guard heads plan drastic changes. Page 1.
Girls put character ahead of looks or wealth
in mate. Page 8.
Raymond Abst allowed liberty after fatal
auto accident. Page 18. '
Dr. Hlnson takes pulpit at East Side Bap
tist Church. Page 13.
Dr. C. B. Waller delivers first sermon at
White Temple. Page 13. "
Grand opera opens tonight with A!dj
Page 12.
Burglar tells of routine fellow craftsmen
and taking their loot. Page 12.
W. H. Stone gives fiery address on "Pa'
trtots and Traitors." Page 18. -
Daughters of Revolution prepare code of
etiquette tor flag. Page 7.
Henry Melster is shot and killed by Emit
H. Spranger. Page JL
Weather report, data and forecast. Page 10.
Much legislation shut out at close of ses
sion. Page C
2 OFFICERS JNRAID KILLED
Mayor of North Carolina Town Shot
by Defender of Whisky.
TARBORO, N. CL, March 4. Police
Officers Ramon Gwattney and Patrick
Rlggin were killed and Mayor J. P.
Keech was fatally wounded here Satur
day by W. C. Nelson when the officials
unearthed a quantity of whisky In Nel
son's home.
Chief of Police Puller and spectators
who rushed to the house ; when the-
heard -shots'1 overpowered Nelson'
against whom feeling ran high tonight.
THE PRESIDENT TO UPHOLD NATIONAL HONOR AND SAFETY, AND
i
HENRY MEISTEB IS
KILLED BY FRIEND
Shot Fired in Quarrel
by Emil H. Spranger.
VICTIM RICH BUSINESS MAN
Husband Shot Dead After
Drawing Own Weapon.
REVOLVER IS FIREDTWICE
Slayer Arrested and Mrs. Melster Is
Ilcld for Time, but Freed Later.
Spranger Maintains Otljer
Tried to Shoot.
Henry Melster, . 62, president of the
Van Horn Transfer Company, and for
merly owner of the Mount Hood Brew'
ery. In Sellwood, was shot through the
heart and killed instantly at 9:40
o'clock last night, by Emil H.. Spranger,
a life-long friend, during a quarrel at
the door of Mr. Spranger's rooms in the
Auditorium Court apartments, 331 Third
street. Mrs. Melster, his wife, and Mr.
Spranger were detained by the ponce.
Mr. Spranger admitted the shooting
to the police and Coroner Dammasch.
but asserts that Mr. Melster was jeal
ous because his friend had been play
ing cards with Mrs. Melster, and was
trying to shoot him.
Card Game Causes) Quarrel.
Mr. and Mrs. Melster. who live with
their family in the Auditorium Court
Apartments, had been playing cards In
Mr. Spranger's apartments' most of the
afternoon. At 7;30 o'clock Mr. Melster
went out to attend a meeting.
He returned home at 9:30 o'clock
and was told by his daughter that Mrs
Melster had gone back to renew the
card game 1 in Mr. Spranger's room.
Then, it is alleged. Mr. Melster ran to
the basement, secured, an unloaded re
volver and went to search for his wife.
Wife Flees at Threat.
Mr. Spranger told the police that the
husband came to ma door and threat
ened to shoot him. Mrs. Melster fled.
, Mr. -Metsterls :then'iBa1Td-'i have- tfirust
(Concluded on Page 10, Column 2.)
CHINESE CABINET
INSISTS ON BREACH
PREMIER RESIGNS WHEX PRES
IDENT. REFUSES ASSENT.
Crisis Expected . Over Proposal to
Follow Example of TTnlted States
In German Situation.
PEKIN, March 4. The Cabinet' to
day decided that China should Join the
United States In breaking off relations
with Germany.
This decision was submitted to the
President, who refused to approve the
Cablnefa action, saying that such
power rested entirely with him. Pre
mier Tuan Chi Jul immediately re
signed and left for Tien Tsin, accom
panied by several other members of
the Cabinet.
The resignation of the entire Cab
inet is expected.
Parliament is virtually unanimous In
Tavor of . the opinion ' of the Cabinet.
The leaders of all the political parties
are adversely criticising the President's
position. The Vice-President of the
republic supports the action of the
Cabinet. '
A statement Issued from the Presi
dent's office says that the break be
tween the President and Premier was
due to personal differences rather than
to the foreign policy.
President LI Yuan Hung; has sent
representatives to Tien Tsin to induce
the Premier to return to Pekln.
VILLA'S DEATH IN DISPUTE
Two Factions of Bandit's Followers
Make Conflicting Reports
KLi PASO, March 4. One faction of
the Villa Junta Is .authority for the
statement that VUla has died from
pneumonia In the. mountains -near San
Andres. The other faction says this
report is given out to cover Villa'
movements, and It is added that Villa
Is so short of ammunition he is unable
to carry out an offensive.
For the same reason Carranza troops
in the north are said also to have
abandoned the offensive.
BRITISH CONTINUE GAINS
Two-Thirds of Mile Advance on
Two-Mile Front Reported.
LONDON, March '4. The British
troops, in their forward movement' in
the Ancre area ' in France, have made
another advance east of Gommecourt
along a two-mile front of about two
thirds, ot a.mUe,'jLcir.nrrltna;.,tx.Aha: of ft-
clal report" from headquarters tonight.
Nearly 200 prisoners were captured.
ANOTHER WHO VOTED WITH THEM
POWER TO DEFEND
President Issues Formal
Address to Country,
CONSTITUTION NOT ENOUGH
Senate Is Urged to Revise
Rules to Supply Means
of Meeting Situation.
NATION FACES . DISASTER
Group- of Wilful Men Rapped
for Rendering Their Gov
ernment Contemptible.
WASHINGTON, March . 4. Presi
dent Wilson tonight informed the
country in a statement that he may bo
without power to arm merchant ships
and take other steps to meet the Ger
man submarine menace, in the absence
of authority from Congress.
An extra session of Congress, the
President says, is required to clothe
him with authority, but it is useless
to call one while the Senate works un
der the present rules which permit a '
small minority to keep an overwhelm
ing majority from acting.
Revision of Rules Proposed.
The President proposes . therefore,
that the special session of the Senate,
which he has called to meet tomorrow,
revise the rules, "to supply the means
of action and save the country from
disaster."
"A little group of wilful men," saya
the President in his statement, "rep
resenting no opinion but -their own, '
have rendered the great Government -of
the United States helpless and con
temptible." Text of President's Statement.
The President's statement in full
follows :
"The termination of the last session
of the Sixty-fourth Congress by con
stitutional limitation discloses a situ
ation unparalleled in the history of the
country, perhaps unparalleled in the
history of any modern govfh-.vnet.t. Tn
the immediate presence of a crisis
fraught with more subtle and far
reaching possibilities of National
danger than any other the Govern
ment has known within the whole
history of its international relations,
the Congress has been unable to act
either to safeguard the country or to
vindicate the elementary rights of its
citizens.
"More than 600 of the 531 members
ef the two Houses were ready and
anxious to act; the House of Represen
tatives had acted, by an overwhelming
majority; but the Senate was unable
to act because a little group of 11".
Senators had determined that it should
not.
Physical Endurance Supreme.
"The Senate has no rules by which
debate can be limited or brought to an
end, no rules by which dilatory tactics
of any kind can be prevented. A
single member can stand in the way
of action if he have but the physical
endurance. The result in this case is
a complete paralysis alike of the leg
islative and of the executive branches
of. the Government.
"This inability of the Senate to act
has rendered some of the most neces
sary legislation of the session impos
sible, at a time" when the need for it
was most pressing and most evident.
The bill which would have permitted
such combinations of capital and of
organization in the export and Import
trade of the country as the circum
stances of international competition
j have made imperative a bill which the
1 business judgment of the whole coun
i try approved and demanded has
I failed.
Other Legislation Blocked.
"The opposition of one or two Sen
ators has made it impossible to in
crease the membership of the- Inter
state Commerce Commission or to
give it the altered organization neces
sary for its efficiency. The conserva
tion bill, which should have released
for immediate use the mineral re
sources which are still locked up in
the public lands, now that their re
lease is more imperatively necessary
than ever, and the bill which would
have made the unused water-power of
the country immediately available for
Concluded on Pas . Column 4. .
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