The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-09
House Insurgents Fail TO En-
list His Aid in Fight
on Speaker.
MOVE is TO HELP
TARIFF PROGRAM
Former Representative Watson of
Indiana Will Confer With
White House Tonight.
By JAMES HAY, JR.

President Taft has sided with
Cannon and the House organiza-
ton in their fight against the inSur-
gents who have made such a bitter
struggle for the organization of the
House rules and the overthrow of
what they consider the tyranny of
the Speaker and his lieutenants.
According to members of the
House who talked with the PreSi-
dent this morning, he has told the
members of his Cabinet that he does
not want to be put in the attitude
of fomenting or encouraging party
) dissension at this time when it is eS-
6ential to have prompt consideration
of the tariff revision bill.
James E. Watson, of Indiana, no
longer a member Of the House, but
still Mr.. Cannon's chief lieutenant
in this fight, called at the White
House this morning, and, after see
ing the President, announced that he
and Mr.. Taft would have a confer
ence at $50 O'Clock this evening
to discuss the general situation.
The refusal OF the President 70 side
with the insurgents is taken as the
doom OF their movement, at the White
House and at the Capitol, where inter
est in the struggle has been at fever
heat for weeks, it was generally said
that 1t meant no change IN the House
rules, and that the Cannon regime
would continue in this Congress as it
has done in the past
Comes as Surprise.
Today's developments came somewhat
in the nature of a surprise. for the in
surgents have been confident UP TO this
time that Taft would be on their side
In their ranks there have been rnyster-
ious assurances that comfort could al
ways be found for them at the White
House even If their fight ended in de-
feat. They pinned their faith to the
general idea that the relations between
Taft and Cannon had not been the
most cordial, and that revision of
the rules would be acceptable to the
White House II such a revision resulted
in lessening the power Of Cannon.
Even in the face of today's news,
many of the insurgents aserts that in
reality the President was with them,
but that he had been brought to side
with Cannon solely because Of a delay
Ia tariff legislation which might result
from an insurgent victory or a deadlock
over the rules or the Speakership.
There Is no question, apparently, that
the controlling motive in Mr.. Taft's
mind was his concern over the tariff
His friends say he di not want TO be mt
into the position Of doing anything
which might result n delaying such
legislation, and thus injuring the bust
ness Of the country.
Thus comes what is regarded as the
decisive blow IN a fight which has last
ed, in more or less activity, since last
autumn, a struggle which has caus d
intense Darticanslip in the House and
IN some Instances has engendered bad
Blood between members. For the past
week, the excitement IN the House has
been almost unprecedented. The fate Of
the movement fer revision Of the rules
hung on whether Taft could be per
suaded 10 line UP with the insurgents
or the organization
On the other hand. the Cannon wing
felt that the friendship Of Faft. or even
bis non-interference in the fight would
mean victory for them.
In Long Suspense.
Congressional talk centered on
what would be the outcome Of d fight
in which the Democrats and the in
sUrgent Republicans would present a
united front against the old House
organization. Every rUmor of Taft's
attitude was seized and discussed pro
Bnd con. Representative Charles Z.
Townsend was criticised for going
over 10 the Cannon ranks. The atti-
Confined on Fifth Page.)