New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
BRYAN MEETS PRESIDENT.
CORDIALLY WELCOMED.
Says He ApproUes Mr.. RooseveIt s
Railroad Legislation ViezcS.
lTRoM THE rR1nUYE BUREAU.l


Washington jan Civilian Jennings
Brvan. who hopes to succeed President Roose-
Welt four wears from next March. called at thS
White House this forenoon. He had an appoint
ment to meet ex-senator James Il Jones the'7
at 1890 o'clock. but Mr. Jones was oehlHu '''.0'
and Mr.. Bryan ran the gantlet OF he"Sp@p0-
men and handshaIers in the outer ONCE ana was
admitted TO the Presidents sanctum Dy MI
Roosevelt himself Ex-senator Jones' h'"e'e''
arrived In time TO make Few JOKES ''' '
bannv occasion. which added to the gayety OF
tha ,,oot,pg senator Cullom. Of Illinois,. hap
pened to be coming out as Mr.. Bryan entered
and shook hands with him IN cordial manner.
..yon are looking mighty weIlr' exclaimed the
Senator.
'eYes. I'm feeling first class. but I'm getting
little stouter than like" replied Mr.. Bryan as
he took off his hat to polish his smooth forehead
with his handkerchief.
You are growing plump, sure ehOuSh' you
are growing in more ways than one" said Sen
ator Cullom. "And. do you know haven't
quite given up hope of bringing you around TO
the right way OF thinking? When you get
straight on few Of your ideas, III De all the
prouder to know YOU"
Now I'd like to convert you," said Mr. Bryan
'but I'm afraid my chances are not so good as
your chances OF bringing me around You see.
you are an older man than am. and, in the nat
ure of things. there'n be more time to work on
me-"
A number of people who were awaiting a
chance to shake hands with the President were
in the anteroom when Mr.. Bryan passed through
and with one accord they rose from their seats
and pressed around him. He shook hands with
every one in sight and ushered into the
Cabinet room. which adjoins the Presidents
Office. Mr.. Roosevelt was talking with Senator
Proctor when Mr.. Bryan entered. and did not
see him at first. Mr.. Proctor called his atteD-
ton to the man who led the minority in two
national campaigns. and the President at once
walked into the Cabinet room with arm out
stretched.
II am very glad indeed to see you exclaimed
the President, he shook hands cordially.
And you too. Senator" he added. as ex-senator
Jones came in.
II just came along to see that he didn't break
any of the furniture" said Mr.. Jones. You've
heard so much about Bryan's destructiveness.
and I thought it would place you more at your
ease if I came along to guarantee his good be-
havior'
Some people think am terrible radical"
observed Mr.. Bryan. but I'm really not so very
dangerous. after ALL
I'm glad to learn that" said the President.
laughing, as he escorted his visitors into his
Office.
Mr.. Jones left the President and Mr.. Bryan
chatting and came out into the anteroom to wait
for the close of the interview. which did not
last more than five minutes. After Mr.. Bryan
left the Presidents office he submitted to more
handshakes on the outside and obligingIy wrote
his name in the autograph album of the guar
dian of the Presidents office door
II told the President that heartily indorsed
many Of his policies. and that would support
him every time thought he right" said
Mr.. Bryan.
Don't you think he Is right most OF the
timer" Mr.. Bryan was asked.
WELL wouldn't care to say that he re-
piled with laugh. But I am with him on his
railroad rate legislation crusade. I also most
heartily agree with Mr.. Garield's franchise tax
proposition. I am willing to accept anything
that is good from any party. A good many peo-
pie have called me Populist because I indorsed
some of the articles of faith of that party. I
still believe that some of the reforms they ad-
vocate are good and would greatly benefit the
country were they cointed into law. I believe the
income tax would be good thing, and hope
to see it on the statute books some time"
why don't you get some of your friends
in Congress to introduce new bill. providing
for such tax?' one of the Nebraskan's au-
ditOrs asked.
That might be done" he agreed. but think
the best way to accomplish it would be to amend
the Constitution. The Supreme Court did not
believe in the income tax a few years ago, and,
while former decision OF that tribunal might
not, under certain circumstances, have bind
ing effect on future decisions, it would be very
likely to have it's influence"
Mr.. Bryan said he would remain in Wash
ington until tomorrow, when he goes to New
York to stay until after the Progress and Pow
erty and PRINCETON dinners.
Are you going to take luncheon with the
President?'' Mr.. Bryan was asked as he left the
White House
mo; Bourke Cochran has invited me 70 eat
with him to-day" he replied.