The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-11
ProgreSSiveS Who Want
New Rules Point to State
ment of Ohioan.
NO PLEDGE GIVEN
TO CANNON FOLK
President-Elect Carefully Refrains
From Promising Aid to the
Conservatives"
By JAMES HAY. II.

That part OF the House membership
which is progressive claims today the
support Of President-eiect TAFT In the
movement TO revise The rules COVE ming
the procedure Of that body.
Despite the outward show OF satisfac-
ton among the friends OF Mr.. Cannon,
il cannot he denied that they are dIsap-
pointed because the conference between
Taft and Cannon and the Republican
membership OF the Committee on Ways
and Means failed to establish any def
mite peace pact between the new adj
ministration and the House organizs-
uon.
The aforementioned facts serve 70
call attention to the studiousness with
which Mr.. Taft refrained last night from
saying in his public statement regard
ing the conference anything about the
talked-of fight for the Speakership or
the revision OF the rules. Those who
were most sanguine OF nnAl peace be-
tween the conservative House organiza-
lion and the progressive new Admins
tration admit that nothing more than q
temporary lull has been accomplished
Like Burton Statement.
In other words, Mr.. Taft has adhered
10 his original resolution, as it was de-
sCribed BY Representative Burton %
Ohio at Hot Springs, Va. He has come
TO Washington and received the sssur-
ances from Cannon that a conservative
House organization will lay down its old
beliefs and go forth 20 legislative work
with the tools Of progressiveness Taft
has believed these assurances, as he
was bound to do, but he has left his
path clear for such action as may later
10 -
new progressiveness OF the House lead
ers is expressed by words. and not BY
the bills brought into the House.
The Presldent-elect has made no
pledges. BE has not promised that there
viii be no fight on the Speaker.
Not a Promise.
He has not promised that the friend
illness and influence OF the new Ad-
ninistration VIII be held aIoof from
those progressives who are determined
10 make a tight for such changes IN
the House rules as Will tend TO en-
courage legislation which may be de-
sired by Mr.. Taft and his advisers he
has left the situation so that It will
serve as a warning 70 the organization
OF the House.
No better evidence Of the real state
OF affairs could be desired than that
contained IN ttp expressed plan Of Mr..
Taft TO see IN Washington or Augusta,
Ga, the known progressive leaders Of
the Senate and receive their promises
to see to It that the tariff bin shall be
made a good bill and that other progres-
sive legislation shall be put through
as It Is presented b. the will Of the
people
There is no reliance placed on the
ability Of the House organization to 20
openly against the Taft program with
out suffering at the hands Of its con-
sutuents, but the cooperation OF the
senate is necessary in order not 10
strain too much the new found progress
slVeness or the House leaders.
A Pacific Statement
So far as Mr. Taft's statement goes,
it was a pacific document regarding
the promises he had received. He set
forth that he was convinced the
Speaker and the Committee on WAYS
and Means intended TO bring into the
House good tariff bill. So far. so
good. was what the statement safd.
according to the analysis made OF #
by the Senators and Representative
at the Capitol But regarding the
House rules and other progressive
matters. there was nothing but 81
lence, and a lot Of thai
In view OF Mr.. TRft's expressed wish
TO secure pledges Of cooperation on
a general program OF progressive
work, this silence Is extremely and
peculiarly significant
There Is peace on the surface but
underneath there is every sign OF
coming trouble, unless Mr.. Cannon
and his Heutenants commit to memory
the grip, sign. and password Of the
ia fl lnnrn