The Washington times., 1905-05-27
SENATORS PERSIST
IN ATTEMPTS TO
DRIVE ROOSEVELT
Elklns and Cullom Urge
Delay Until November
or No Extra Session.
THINK 1906 WILL 10
Presidents Supporters Call
Suggestion an Old
Trick.

| There was plenty Of extra session talk
/ at the White House today, but none of
| the advocates of postponement who
| talked with the President on the sub
| ject got any particular satisfaction from
him. after all their arguments
The situation remains unchanged.
| That is, no one knows what the Presi-
| dent will do. AS a matter of fact, 1t
is understood that he has not made up
| his mind. He has not abandoned his
| idea that there ought to be an early
| extra session. but. at the same time. he
is considering the strong requests OF a
number of Republican Senators and
members TO have It IN November IN
stead Of October. as originally intend
/ ed.
Elkins Opposes Plan
| Senator Elkins, of West Virginia,
chairman of the Senate Committee on
| Interstate Commerce, called at the
White House this morning to tell the
President what the committee had ac-
complished in the sessions It has been
holding to hear testimony en- railway
rates, and what it will do in regard to
framing a railway rate bill. The COM
meet two, or possibly three, weeks be-
fore Congress convenes, whether In reg
| ular or extra session, TO make up its
report. In the meantime the immense
/ volume OF testimony gathered at It's
hearings will be printed and digested by
experts SO as TO be ready for immediate
considera ton.
Personally" said Senator EIkirs, 81
do not see the use of an extra session.
Next session will be the long session,
and we VIII have plenty Of time TO con-
slider legislation. If, however, there is
to be an extra session, I hope it will
not come In October. but IN November.
Several members of our committee will
be out Of reach IN September. and We
will not be able to get together before
Congress convenes. Some will be abroad
and others will be in the Philippines. If
the extra session comes along IN Noveni-
| Der. after the elections, there will be
/ less trouble
| Senator CulIonn. another member OF
the committee, also Of Illinois. saw the
President. He expressed the opinion
| that the extra session should either bs
delayed or abandoned. at least, the
Senator said, he hoped there would be
none at all. Senator CuIIom stated,
however. that the President had said
nothing to indicate that he would post
pone or abandon the extra session.
Would Delay Action.
! The President knows that II there Is
| no extra session the railway rate Dill
cannot come up for consideration by the
| Senate until after January l. as Con-
gress will adjourn for the Christmas
| holidays about December 90 When ques-
| toned on this phase Of the situation to-
| day, Senator Elkins admitted that IL
| there We're no extra, session there would
be little chance for anything 10 be done
| in the way of rate legislation until af-
| ter Christmas.
The situation then remains unehan nged.
| The President is giving the matter care
! full consideration. as he has for several
| weeks. He wishes TO recognize the
| wishes of those Senators and Congress-
men, in whose States elections will take
| place in November. but he Understands
| fully that If he abandons the extra ses-
| sion, the enemies of railway cate legIs-
latfon will be able TO waste weeks and
weeks in the regular session before TAX
| ing up that important question al all.
Friends Of the President well under
stand the pressure which is being
/ brought to bear upon nlm either 70
/ postpone the extra session until No
| yember or else give up the idea alto
gether. Powerful railroad interests are
exerting every effort "a make the Presi-
| dent believe there is nc popular back
/ ing of his plan for an extra session, but
| the Executive feels he has had more
direct assurances than these nom the
people who have no interest in the sub
| ject beyond getting EQUITABLE rates for
| all sections OF the country.
Party interests Urged.
A good deal of comment has been
| based r11ax the action OF Sas1a TORS ra-
| Gently at the White House to urge the
advisability of at least postponing the
extra session until after the fail cleo
tions. This appeal is directed toward
the Presidents fealty 10 the party which
/ put him into Office for another term OF
usefulness,
| Under ordinary circumstances such an
| appeal as this would weigh heavily with
the Executive. 1t does now, in fact.
| also another side to the arguIoe oent. Ao-
cording 70 gossip in official circles, he
| knows just as well as he knows any
| thing that the dtametrica1ly opposite
| line of reasoning would be urged If the
corporations wanted 70 raise the tariR,
i or increase rates OF any kind Elecs
lions would not interfere were any such
program in hand. The extra session
| would be demanded for the good os
the country, for The welfare of tina
| wor,zingman and SO forth. But as this
advanced TO postpone the session until
| it will be 100 late TO do anything along
the lines CT the Presidents wishes.
Would Accomplish Nothing.
OnciaIs who support the Presidents
course so far do rot hesitate TO declare.
with utmost emphasis that If ne yields
TO the present importuning by few
Senators, merely on the basis of the part
these men are 10 take in State elee-