Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-15
Representative Watson Again
Discusses Adjournment Date.
NO FREE WOOD PULP
He Thinks Democrats Would Add
Many Amendments.
TO WATERWAYS COMMISSION
All Congressional Measures Relating
to Waterways Referred by
President to It.

Representative James Watson, republi-
can whip" of the House. who conferred
With President Roosevelt last night about
an early adjournment of Congress and
announced that the White House and
House OF Representatives were in accord
In closing up legislative business May q.
was sent for by the President today and
again discussed the matter. The Presi-
dent told Mr.. Watson that he had over
looked the fact last night that he had
called q convention of distinguished citi-
Gems and governors of states to- meet here
May ID to consider questions of conserv-
ing the natural resources Of the country.
including the forests and waterways. and
that when he had extended the invitation
ne had done so with the understanding
that Congress would be in session at the
time. Under the circumstances the Presi-
dent expressed the hope that Congress
would not adjourn until after the con-
ference
Mr., Watson agreed with the President
that 1t would be courtesy to the visit
ing statesmen, and will 60 ahead with
plans for an adjournment about the Adti,
OF May. He declared -todav that tlere
was no reason in the world why this
could not be done. THE President and
the House are in thorough harmony in
adjourning early declared Mr.. Watson.
While the President desires certain
legislation enacted he realizes that he
wants. and will offer no obstacle to clos
ing up our work early. after the pas
sage of some of the measures we be-
lieve will be put through the House
without serious opposition" Mr.. Watson
did not go into details. but ne did init
~ INN nr<0 nf "A Ar0
the President wants will not receive the
sanction of the lawmakers. That is
amendment Of the Sherman antitrust
law.
The House judiciary committee has
this proposition thoroughly 3trangled
and has set with grim determination
upon all efforts. from the White House
or elsewhere. to compel the bringing
out OF amendments Senator Crane Of
Massachusetts, long ago informed the
way. He also doubted whether four
battleships would be authorized by the
House as SO fondly hoped and SO
strongly urged by the President
As to currency legislation. Mr.. Watson
expressed the opinion that some salts
factory measure would be laid before
the President. A caucus of the republf-
cans will be held early next week to
consider this matter. MIR. Watson said,
and at this caucus the question of i'm
dorsing the Aldrich bill or substituting
something else for 1t will be taken up
and probably acted upon.
Representative Vreeland of New York
has a currency bill that has been drafted
to meet some of the objections OF the
House people to the Aldrich bill. and he
night about the matter. He said his bill
met the approval Of the President and
that It. would be submitted to the caucus
next week. He is of the opinion that his
bill will receive caucus sanction. which
will insure its passage in the House. 1t
On the subject Of tariR revision Mr..
Watson thought an appropriation would
be made for the ways and means COM
mittee to sit during the recess of Con-
any idea what form this authority to the
ways and means committee would take.
No Free Wood Pulp.
How about free wood pulp at this SEES
sion?', Mr.. Watson was asked.
Now, don't you realize what would
happen IL we undertook to place wood
pulp upon the free list at this session.
asked Mr. Watson. THE democrats in
the Senate would add q thousand amend
ments. and all at once we would be thrust
into the middle of a tariff revision fight.
which would keep Congress here many
months. probably until long into the fall.
That il just what the democrats would
like; we are not playing into their hands
at this time
'.Mr. herman Rider claims that the
Senate would not make amendments to
a wood pulp measure"
well I think We would have to see q
signed agreement to that effect. Other
wise no one could make q promise Of this
kind
Mr. Watson indicated that the President
realizes that everything he favors cannot
be put through, but at the same time Mr..
Watson has promised. on behalf o. the
republicans Of the House. that az much as
possible will be done along lines desired
by the chief executive.
Besides governors OF states who will at
tend the conference in May. referred to
by the President today, the President has
asked the following prominent men to at
tend: ex-Presldent Grover Cleveland. w.
J. Bryan. Andrew Carnegie, James j.
Hill and John Mitchell.
Referred to Waterways Commission.
President Roosevelt is referring to the
commission. created by him
some months ago. Of which Clifford Pin
chot. chief forester. is a prominent MEM
Der. all congressional measures relating to
The Snake river dam project.
which has been before the President some
time. has been referred to the commission.
and IL now before Mr.. Pinchot. What il
known as the Mussels shoals project IL
also in the hands Of the commission. Rep
Richardson Of Alabama. who
has been working upon this project for
several years. called on the President to-
day about the project. Mr.. Richardson
got through the last session of Congress a
bill providing for the building of dams at
Mussels shoals to erect the greatest
water power plant in the United States.
1t was found that the plan was not
feasible. and no attempt will be made to
carry out the law. Five engineers OF the
army were afterward appointed to pass
upon the problems involved. These re-
ported in favor Of permitting dams under
certain conditions. The chief of engineers
the report and It was referred to
the waterways commission, which il also
favorably disposed. The commission 10
holding the matter in allegiance, and Mr..
Richardson called upon the President to
Intercede with him for an early report
upon his bill introduced in this Congress,
30 that he can 20 ahead at this session.
President Roosevelt was overwhelmed
with visitors today. many persons intro
ducing friends. DR.. Rixey OF the navy in
troduced Prof. August Martin Of Berlin
and son. Bernhard Martin. Secretary
Stra uss presented Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Phipps Of New York. and the following
introduced friends: Repre-
seftatives Qoulden. Calder. Porter. Nc
Kinley. Bates. Driscoll. McMiilin. Dele