The San Francisco call., 1909-03-13
Renewed Activity of the House
Insurgents Worries Speaker
Cannon
President Taft's Stand Is That
Row Should Not Delay
Tariff Legislation
REDS" Claim Fresh Strength
and VIII Wage Battle to
Bitter End
By Ira E. Bennett
s. Dapaieh . ~ IN

rASHINGTON, March 12-The
N fight between the house or
Wv ganization" on one side and the
insurgents and democrats on
the other has become a death struggle
for speaker Cannon he and his
friends are greatly worried over the
prospect. The insurgents were badly
blurred day OF so ago by the news
that President Taft had sided with Can
non, but they have regained their grit
and are making a desperate fight with
more than an even chance OF winning.
The president is not actively assisting
Uncle Joe. but merely advises his call
ers that the tariff is the first considera-
tion. and that no fight over the house
opposition should be permitted to post
pone tariff legislation Cannon's
friends are using the Taft card as a
trump. but the insurgents. having re-
gained their nerve, are no longer
afraid Of the White House big stick
Ready for the Fray
The insurgents put it this way:
we are up against it. anyhow. The
people demand change in the house
rules Cannon is discredited through
out the country and If we stand for
him snd the rules we are likely to be
licked at home. So II we are in for a
scrap anyhow we may as well fight
now. while we have the democrats
with U.s. We stand a chance OF win
ming and II We do there viii be big
credit in it for the few republicans who
dare to face Uncle Joe. We think we
VIII get so men who viii stand up.
These with the democrats win defeat
the opposition.
The insurgents. called the reds" by
the regulars, include in their number
Red" Hayes Of California. and Duncan
McKinlay is flirting with them. He
wants 10 be an insurgent. but his first
consideration is to stand in with Taft.
If he finds that Taft has no objection he
viii join the insurgents.
Roosevelt Not Aiding
The insurgents were joyful today over
the report that ex-President Roosevelt
was about TO come 10 their support in
the Outlook II was said that Con-
gresham Murdock of Kansas, a leading
red" had received letter from Lyman
Abbott editor Of the Outlook, stating
that Roosevelt was strongly in favor OF
the insurrection and would declare HIM
SELF Murdock did not affirm or deny
the report.
Tonight however, statement was
given out in New York by Lawrence
Abbott president OF the Outlook COM
psny. puncturing the story and decIar-
ing that the Outlook was not in favor
OF a change in the house rules at this
time. lie said Roosevelt had not been
consulted as TO the policy OF the out
look on that subject 1t was also re-
called here that Roosevelt few davs
ago at oyster Pay said he did not in
tend TO discuss politics before leaving
for Africa.
Cannon Is Worried
Desperate efforts are being made by
James z. Watson, the republican wbin
10 line up members for the opposition
lie says q sufficient number are in lin.
10 defeat the insurgents. Speaker can.
non. however, is plainly worried. and Il
Is evident that the biggest fight Of hi,
career is on.
Important developments occurred to.
day in the house insurrection agains,
the adoption Of The rules of the six.
teth congress TO govern the incoming
congress.
compromise. 1athsred by Senator
Cummins Of Iowa and presented to the
regulars by President Taft. failed te
unite the Republican members. and
what was pronounced sausfactor,
working agreement was entered into
by the Republican insurgents and the
democrats.
Terms of Compromise
The compromise was one that the
insurgents have considered ever sine.
the report became current that Presi.
dent Taft desired the fight postponed
lest il might delay the tariff bill i
provided for the reelection Of Speaker
Cannon and the adoption of the rule.
n the sixtieth congress for the special
session
After the organization Of the house
Monday il was provided that a resoIu.
uon should be passed authorizing q
committee to investigate the rules anc
report on proposed changes in the reg.
ular session in December. It was pro.
4 posed that the insurgents be allowed ts
name four or their number for the com.
Hittee. the democrats six and the reg
uisrs I've. The latter Eve were to bs
Representatives Mann of Illinois. Cur