Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-08
Presidents Attitude on Re-
duction of Representation
NOT YET INDICATED
LIKELIHOOD OF A SPRING EXTRA
SESSION LEssENING.
President Continues to Talk With Leg
islators on Tariff Revision-Some
of Today's Callers.

The Presidents attitude toward the re-
1uction of representation in the south Is
being sought by Representative Crumpacker
and other men, who stand ready TO lnau-
gurate a campaign in Congress at this ses-
sion or the next session along those lines.
Representative Crumpacker called on the
President this morning and had brief
talk with him, but said that he could not
make public anything that had been said
1t Is pretty well understood that the talk
was too brief to have resulted In any
definite understanding between the two
men and the probability is that Mr.. Crum-
packer will call at later period for more
prolonged interview. II the assent of the
President can be obtained to congress
sional campaign 1t will no doubt be waged
with vigor at this session.
While there has been no expression from
the President that could be directly used as
indicating what his opinion will be, there is
strong feeling that he will discourage, at
this session of Congress at least, any legis-
lation looking to the bringing on of partisan
strife over reduction of representation. The
easiest way to do this would be an indica-
ton, If he feels so disposed that possible
legislation of radical nature would not re-
ceive his approval. AS to Representative
Crumpacker. it is known to be his intention
to press the resolution pending before the
rules committee of the House providing for
a commission to investigate affairs in those
states that have restriction laws as to suf-
frage. That is about as much as he hopes
for at this session, but it will be futile to
push even that if the President is known to
be opposed to this course. Naturally, there
fore, Representative Crumpacker is de-
sirous of knowing what the President feels
and thinks on this whole question.
No Spring Extra Session Of Congress.
President Roosevelt continues to sound
opinion as to a revision of the tariff. Rep
81 Col; or,,ia COLL cd
him today and remarked: There is not
single member of our congressional dele
CATION in favor of revision of the tariff,
and the people of the state do not want
the tariff touched. We want it to stay just
az 1t is" The President thanked MIR.
Daniels and said that he was pleased TO
obtain his opinion. He wanted to know the
opinion of members of Congress from most
of the states.
Tbe President had a conference during the
day with Representative James e. Watson
of Indiana, a prominent member OF the
ways and means committee of the House,
on the tariff outlook. Mr.. Watson Is of the
opinion that the President Will not call an
extra session of Congress following the
present session. On the other hand he
reels that the President may determine
upon an extra session a month or so before
the next regular session of Congress. In
tins the President has the support and &C.
cord of Mr.. Watson.
Il do not think 1t would be possible for
such an important bill as one modifying the
tariff in a few months during the spring"
said Mr.. Watson. The schedules must be
gone over carefully, expert advice on the
minutest details must be received from hun
dreds of business men in all lines of indus
try, and there will be multitude of ques-
tons to be inquired into. The preliminary
work would take months and bill could
not be prepared until late In the summer.
/ believe the President will defer the call
ing of an extra session until the fall of next
/
October selected as the month for Congress
TO be called together
Besides the general opposition that exists
to an extra session in the spring, number
of Influential men in Congress have told the
President that they have arranged to be out
of the country in the spring. One of these
Is Senator Aldrich, whose influence in the
Senate is great He has planned a Eu-
ropean trip and does not wish to abandon it
If possible.
Sentiment Against Early Revision.
The preponderance of sentiment among
members of Congress as to an extra ses-
sion has been opposed to 1t. Even the men
favoring tariff revision at some time have
not earnestly and actively urged an extra
session, while the stand pat" people have,
of course. left no argument unused that
would put stop to the agitation. The
President has found a rather unanimous
view, also that revision of the tariff could
at an extra session preceding the next reg
ular session. This will suit the stand
pat people, who hope that conditions will
be such ten months from now that the
President VIII conclude that the calling of
Congress in extra session for tariff changes
Will not meet the wishes of the people.
Many things. they argue. might happen in
few months to change the mind of the
President, and they will be contented If he
will announce decision not to call Con-
gress together in the spring.
Representative Hemenway of Indiana
talked briefly with the President, and will
call upon him again,
The Presidents remarks as to what he
may do as to an extra session are variously
construed. but IL is a somewhat noticeable
fact that the President has not ceased his
interviews with congressman this SUBJ
ject, and that he will continue to talk with
them for some time to come
Senator Fairbanks was with President
Roosevelt some time this morning but
whether the tariff was talked over is not
known.
All the members of the House committee
on military affairs, headed by Chairman
Hull, paid their respects to the President.
zen. Chaifee called upon the President
with Gen Wade. the call being one of re-
s0ect.
Senator Knox presented John G. A.
Ieishman. the United States minister To
Turkey. ~
The President received n cal, from, .,
committee from the civil Service Reform
League, which is in session here. The COM
ihtttt was composed OF Daniel Gilman.
president: General Silas Burt of New YORK
General William +. Aiken William III Low
and John Joy Edison of this city The
PRESIDENT was pleased to greet the COM
mittee and asked them about their work
A committee from the Birmingham Ala.
chamber of commerce waited upon the
president today to ask him to visit that
city when he goes south. The committee
was composed of j. b. Cobbs, Dr. j. W.
Hughes, Judge Joseph III. Huntington and
the members were presented by j. O..
ThOmnS0n collector n N
committee OF colOred citizens headed
by Rev. j. l.. White, called on the Presi-
dent TO renew a request often made at the
White House, that he recommend to Con-
gress an appropriation for the erection of a
home for aged and infirm colored people.
The Interparliamentary Union.
Representative Bartholdt of Missouri, the
president of the Interparliamentary Union,