The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-02-04
Attitude of AdmlniStra-
ton Toward Bill Sharp
ly Outlined.
SENATE IS NOT DEFIED
Extra Session a Possibility,
But Not a Threat-Cir-
CumStanceS VIII Rule.

to the Senatorial opposition TO rate con
troll
He has not agreed. or indicated that
under any circumstances ne might
agree 10 insertion OF q provision for
court review before the rate shall have
taken effect.
He has not defed the Senate. or
threatened an extra session or anything
else.
He has been greatly embarrassed bv
the publication OF a multiplicity Of con
hicung reports attributing all sorts Of
views and attitudes directed toward
him.
He has not been convinced that the
measure viii De unconstitutional with
out the court review Tea -uTe and ne
doesn't believe anything oI the SORT
President Is Fearless.
sHe does fear. on the other hand that
with this feature the treasure would
be ineffective and uEsaJIg factory.
Tie is determined to have the Issue
decided by a vote ia the Senate. not OBJ
structed by delay.
''Hie doesn't believe the House viii
consent 10 adjourn until the Senate votes
on the measure. and the Senate cans
adjourn without the consent Of tSs
House.
III. however. there should be adjourn
ment without vote, he would call
extra session for the further consider
alton of the measure
! Attitude OF Administration.
I Such is in summary the attitude OF the
Administration. as it has been made very
/ plain IN the last three days 10 Cabinet
members. Senators, House members and
others who have visited the White
/ House. and as it was emphasized in con-
/ ferences held there yesterday.
Within the past week il has been real
lied by ali the interests In rate Iegisia-
lon that that paramount issue was ap-
preaching the crisis in its career. FOR
( this session al least. The opposition has
been making desperate efforts To con-
vince the President that 1t had the up
/ per hand. II has succeeded TO the ex-
tend of securing much publicity fer its
views Bat il has not succeeded at all
in changing the position Of the Execu-
/ tive. He is still standing. and as firm
+ ly as ever. on the propositions laid down
4 in his message on the subject.
Advisers Differ.
/ The Presidents closest advisers are
Tar from agreed There was q long
conference yesterday Of the President.
I Senator Lodge, and Secretary of War
Taft. The two las5 an, ID have been urg-
/ ing the President that he ought TO accept
( the provision for review of the findings
/ OF the Interstate Commerce Commis-
| sion before thc rate fixed by it shall
/ become effective. Such conferences
] have been frequent in recent days; IN
/ deed with Secretaries Taft and Root,
and Senators Lodge, Crane. and others
/ laborins TO secure acceptance Of their
views, and with 6cuators Dolliver.
! Clapp and other regulationists just as
| earnestly insisting that il would be an
wrong. the President has had a pretty
nearly continuous reception on his
hands
Following his long discussion of the
rate question yesterday afternoon with
! Secretary Taft and Senator Lodge the
President was reported TO have noWise
changed his position. Indeed. he had
made clear, rather, that attacks on other
parts of his legislative program could
no, effect his views on rate regulation.
Leads the Program.
For the rate measure is regarded rs
the paramount feature in the program
of TIE session. Statehood, Philippine
tariff. SanCo Domingo-on any Of these
the President could accept defeat, or
might brook delay But his main posi-
ton. the center Of bis line, is rate reg
uIation lie will not be tempted out OF
his entrenchments on this issue, and he
will not be outfanked by any attacks
on the minor positions. He proposes
to have "a vote in the Senate. if ii takes
all summer
And right here the Presidents firm
stand has suddenly served to bring
powerful re-enforcements 10 his aid.
The Republicans in the House Eave
come TO realize that they may be called
upoa TO suffer for the Senate's sins OF
omission And they have little mind to
being made tho vicariOus sacrifice for
the misdeeds of the elder statesmen
The Senate talks impressively about
taking the responsibility for its own acts
and deeds, said a House member who
has been taking q large part IN these
rate conferences, but the Senate does
nothing of the sort It's The poor House
that is held responsible for the Senate's
failures to meet the demands OF public
cpiniOn. Suppose this rate legislation
fails. either by the process Of smother
ing or by an adverse vote. " What VIII
happen? The Congressional elections
will be coming ON, and we viii be beaten
by the exaspeIated voters. The conVen-
tIons are already being called. We can
show a good bill of health and chaTac-
ter for the House; oh. yes; but who
cares for that? The folks out home re-
ply. Oh, that's part Of the regular
game: pass it in one body. kin II in the
other. You re all tarred with the same
stick, ard If we cant reach all OF YOU,
why. at least we can take our club ID
as many as can be reached And 50
| they'll get busy with the House mem~
bers at the polls, and you'N see John
ShaTD Williams bossing the House next
Congress, and such of Us Republicans as
manage to crawl out from under the