The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-11
CONGRESS CABAL
MARKS PRESIDENT
Taft and Roosevelt Members
viii Not Get Local
Bills Through.
CannOn'S Threat of Labor
Legislation Silenced
Tariff Agitation.

That an anu-Roosevelt, anti-Taft COM
binau0n exists in Congress, whose pur-
pose is to prevent from now until the
end of this administration legislation
along the lines laid down in the Presi-
denss recent message, is charged in the
most direct fashion by the Administra-
lion supporters. Interference 10 prevent
passage Of minor and local measures
which chance 20 be fathered by Roose-
welt or Taft members, as declaI ed part
OF the program. Concerning some very
specific allegations along this line, it is
stated that the Administrations friends
will be ready in a very short time 70
make a sensational announcement.
That Speaker Cannon. in order the
cool the ardor of the tarin revisiOnists
who invaded Washington last week,
threatened President Van Cleave, of the
National Manufacturers Association,
without anti-injunctiOn legislation, is de-
clared without reserve Mr. Van Cleave
told some of his associates Of his expert
euce with the Speaker, and the story
has gotten in general circulation II
has caused d sensation, and is pointed
10 as PROOF that the conservative leaders
in Congress are going TO stop at nothing
necessary TO prevent legislation or even
dangerous agitation Of things they op-
pose.
Loaded for Public Speeches.
The big delegation Of tarff revision
lists which came here to urge taking
up the tariff, preferably through a
commission. secured an appointment to
see Speaker Cannon 1t was desired TO
have the interview public, and 20 have
newspaper men attend, with permission
10 report IN detail the red-hOL speeches
on tariff that the assembled manufaC-
Jurers We're prepared 20 make.
They were loaded with facts and fig
ures, and proposed 10 tell, out of their
own experience as protected manu1ac-
tuners, a great number OF things which
IL is said would have enlightened the
issue as it has seldom been enlightened.
They were going 10 show just how par
IiCular schedules have been utilized 10
foster monopoly, to eNtOTt unreasonable
prices. TO make prices higher at home
than abroad, and have injured our for
eiSn trade.
Cannon Spoiled Program.
But these speeches, some Of which
would have been in the nature Of con-
LESSONS, We're not made. Before the
delegation called on the Speaker Presi-
dent Van Cleave saw Mr.. Cannon. The
Speaker advised that nothing sensa-
Iional or extreme be said.
Then came the intimatiOn by the
Speaker hat if these questions we're TO
be opened up, there might be anti-in-
junction lesislatiOn-the particular thing
that Van Cleave most wants TO avoid.
The National Manufacturers AssOCia-
ton, of which Mr.. Van Cleave is head,
has as leading purpose the carrying
forward OF the fight against the unions
and for the open shop. Anti-injunctiOn
legislation would be the hardest blow
Jlls organization could receive.
Mr. Van Cleave gasped for breath at
The suggestion Of such a thing. He mas
known very well that the Speaker was
not favorable TO such legislation. That
It. should be seriously threatened by the
Speaker, as a retaliation for efforts to
open the Tariff issue was a most effec-
tive Jye-Opcner.
Van Cleave Changes Plans.
Mr.. Van CIeaye went away defeated
and Inundated He saw that the tariff
mission was a failure He advised his
friends in the revision delegation that
it woyld be necessary to change their
program 10 give up the plan OF airing
lot Of sensational truths about the
schedules. monopoly, and eXtOrti0n.
President Van CIeave is quoted as
having said before he left town that
If there was any alternative but
Bryan the TeVisiOnists' ana the real
business interests would go for him, and
turn out the whole ''SJandpat OUTFIT
Secretary Price. OF the National Manu-
fdCtureTS' Association, who was quite
as Disguised as Mr.. Van CleaVe de-
ciared that aside from WOOL steel, and
sugar, the business Of the country was de-
mandinE revision and that these three
especial fayOrltes of the present tariff
policy We're dominating the whole on
position 10 revision