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Show DEMOCRATS DODGE 'EGOWQMV CAUCUS' House Members Left Free to Vote for Two Battleships if They Feel So Inclined. WASHINGTON, Vob. S. No caucus pledge -will bind the house Democrats this year -when they voto on appropriation appropria-tion for battleship construction. An "economy caucus." called for tonight to-night by members opposed to thc authorization au-thorization of any battleships in the naval appropriation bill at this session, failed to materialize as a result of the absence of practically nl Democratic members who favor an increased navy. Only snvenl y-thrco members appeared and, as 312 were needed for a quorum, the mooting adjourned al'lor listening to a. pension speech bv Representative Sherwood of Ohio. Speaker Clark arid Democratic header Underwood were present, ali hough it is an open secret that both opposed the calling of the caucus. Onlv three mom-bora mom-bora of I ho naval committee nt tended. Representatives HoiiBloy of Missouri and Tribblo of Georgia, opposed to battleships, bat-tleships, and Talbot t of Maryland, who mado the point of no quorum aud moved adjournment. The abseuce of a quorum was not un expected, word having been passed yesterday yes-terday that the "I w0 bntlleship" men were to stay away, to make certain there should be no'.ietion. It is stated t hat the naval committee commit-tee i certain to recommend the construction con-struction of at least two hnttleshipsnnd wih a. large majority of Republicans in the house favoring an increased navy, Ihe big navy advocates sav there is rio doubr about favorable action on the committee's report. Representative Curlcv of Massachusetts Massachu-setts said tonighi that early next week Democratic members standing for a "progressive naval policy" would hold a' conference to agree upon a course of action. |