Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-04
Leading Insurgent Senators
Invited to Confer With Presi.
dent at the White House.
CUMMINS AND B0RAH
SEE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Callers Reticent as to Meeting and
Q Its Probable Effect.
PROGRAM OF PRoaREssIvEs
Impression Created That the oon-
ference Was Somewhat Disap-
pointing to the President. ;

pointing to the President.
When President Taft and the two lead.
ing insurgents Of the Senate--Cummins
and Borah-hobnobbed at the White House
late yesterday afternoon the political
atmosphere was stirred.
Both insurgent senator's let 1t be known
in quiet but emphatic manner that they
had been invited to the executive offices.
The White House made no denial OF
this. merely stating that the President
desired the views of a number OF senator's
ppon his message, and that he had called
in Senators Cummins and Borah among
the others. Some OF those already con-
suited about the message are Root.
Lodge, Nelson, McCumber and Smoot.
and others are to be seen before the mes
sage goes to Congress next Tuesday.
The customary plan of Presidents has
been to consult the party leaders prior
to the writing of the message. In this
instance the message is in type and sent
out TO newspapers by the press associa-
tions. The understanding, though. is that
the President may have a number Of
corrections to make by telegraph before
it is finally read to Congress.
Whatever occurred In the executive
Offices, 1t Is at least known that there
was no great amount Of starch in the
bringing together Of the men who have
been wide apart politically and among
whom there has possibly been strong
feeling. Peais Of hearty laughter Aoated
out through the corridors and made known
that preliminary steps to political rec
onciliation were being made with good
grace. The Iowa senator was ushsred
into the Presidents room as Senator
Smoot Of Utah, who had been consulted
as to the message. was leaving. Tho
conference with Senator Cummins laStod
an hour or more. and Senator Bosah
went in.
Heralded as an Olive Branch.
Among some the coming together of The
President and the Iowan Was heraIdsd q
the first step toward party harmony, Ill,
ton of President Taft by an undivided
party eighteen months from now.
Friends OF the insurgents declared
that President Taft had made the hrst
move toward placating the progress
sives. as they are now to be called, and
that; having set the ball rolling. he
would be met more than half way. ,rhe
joyful inference was likewise carried
that the insurgent senator's would
come into their own in the way OF the
federal patronage that has been with
held from them so long. Feasts In
behalf of the prodigal sons would be
without success unless the pie was
divided and passed around.
Efforts to Create Concord.
But aside from the insurgent view,
which is strictly one Of 'I-didn't-ask-for-
an-invitat tion-bu I-was-glad-to-get-it." Is
the serious fact that the President
proposes to take the leadership OF his
party and bring together the warning
factions. He is said to feel that the
party has no show in the elections
vided. He can and does see that he is
the proper leader Of the party and that
republicans everywhere will look to
him. To be the leader OF faction
further embitter the elements THAI
have held aloOf.
Wants to Bring About Legislation.
Then, the President wants to bring
about useful legislation at the short ses-
sion Of Congress. There stares him In
the face the brief time In which to do
this, but he believes that with every re-
publican's shoulder to the wheel much
can be accomplished before the demo-
Gratis come into their own In the House
and legislative deadlock follows.
The Insurgents s have tsauaH snnstantiaiiy e the
make good while they have Congress-.
even If they have only few weeks to
do it In. The next session OF Congress
will be little else than political ayta-
for best position to make high
Nights on hot air. The republicans hope
that II they can become united the Demos
Gratis will proceed, In q short time. to be-
come as badly split az In the past
After Many Months Absence.
Senator Cummins visited the whits
House one year ago. upon the assembling
Of Congress The serious differences be-
tween the insurgents and regulars had
not then become pronounced. The Iowsn
made the declaration that he favored tha
and reelection Of TAFT. A
few weeks afterward the party division
became manifest, and Senator Cummins
had not been to the White House in ten
months up to yesterday. He simply
stayed away, and the President seemed
TO relish his determination in that direc-
ton.
The insurgents to break from the white
House, having attended a dinner in tina
ate spring at which the President tried
70 get the factions together In favor OF
ais legislative program. He was less Bit
ter toward President Taft before and
Turing the campaign than the Iowa SEN.
ator, who went so far az to prohibit the
aaming of Mr.. Taft In the platform OF
the Iowa republican convention.
Both Senators Reticeut a. to Call.
Upon Senator Cummins' departure he
would make no statement. You know
have not been here In q long time" he
aid to the newspaper men.
''It Is to be hoped that you will be seen
lere oftener In the future" was saiA to
lin.
..Do not predict too freely. But am
Liways glad to come here" was the quick
.'Did you enjoy your v1ist?'
Il am certainly enjoying this visit with
,ou boys" and the Iowan had nothing
urther to say.
Senator Borah had less to say thaa
Ienator Cummins.
Senator Bristow. another insurgent sem
tor, win see the President this week
The impression at the close Of the con-
erences was that the insurgent senator's
ad not been abls to hold out ~ much