The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-22

IN LIQUOR LID CASE
Hears Pleas Against Rem0y-
ing Ban in Minnesota.
PRESIDENT TO TAKE A REST
VIII Transact Little Business UntIl
Congress Recenvenes-Undeoi
German Potash Situation-To Give
Employees Christmas Turkeys.

President Taft listened yesterday TO
arguments made by representatives of
tho Anti-Saloon League. the w. c. T.
u. and the International Reform
Bureau. against lifting the lid which
Secretary of the Interior Ballinger has
clamped down over a large part of Min
nesota 50 firmly that even a portion of
the city of Minneapolis is suffering from
drought.
Former Senator H W. Blair, of New
Hampshire, and Wilbur f. Crafts, rep
resenting the Reform Bureau: Mrs.
Emma S Shelton, of the w. C. T. u.
and S. E. Nicholson. OF the Anh-Saloon
League. presented the arguments
The Reform Bureau representatives
were not in favor OF compromise of any
sort; they wanted the sale OF liquor
excluded from all territory included in
Indian treaties. unless Congress decided
otherwise. The Anti-Saloon League was
not so sweeping in its demand II did
not object to liquor in parts Of Mime
sofa, included within certain Indian
treaties where there are now no Indians.
The President has the power to alb
He viii not act in this case, he told his
callers. until the Anti-SalOon League can
inform him as to whether or not there
are Indians living in part of the terri
tory mentioned in that treaty. The Anti
Saloon League expects to furnish this in
formation within two weeks, so that a
decision by the President shortly after
Congress convenes in January is ex-
pected-
The President is going to take q rest
Announcement was made at the White
House yesterday that from now until the
reconvening Of Congress on January ) Mr..
Taft viii pay as little attention to the
routine of office and the extraordinary
duties OF Chief Executive as possible.
Secretary Norton viii leave Washington
tomorrow for a ten-day vacation. prob
ably in the Adirondacks, and the Presi-
dent does not expect 10 see many Con-
gressional or other important callers
while his secretary Is absent.
Conditions at Capitol Better.
After the holidays. the President viii
hold conferences from time 10 time with
the leaders in Congress on important mat
tiers of legislation which are imminent.
The President has been informed that
Capitol than is usual at this time in
the short session. and it is quite probable
that part OF the recommendations he
made in his annual message for general
legislation can be. enacted into law be-
fore March 4
Mr.. Taft Is being urged TO make re-
prisal against Germany for her action
in the potash controversy, especially by
southern members OF Congress. who
claim that they are vitality Interested in
I potash. Senators Terrell. II Georgia;
! Fletcher, OF Florida; Overman Of North
Carolina, and Percy. OF Mississippi. talked
with the President yesterday about the
potash situation. but found Mr. Taft IN
decided as TO what action shall be taken
by this government in the matter The
Southerners told him that potash was
indispensable 10 the South; that it was
needed in the making of fertilizers which
are used 10 aid the growth Of cotton.
corn. and other staples. They asked for
immediate action.
Speaker Cannon was a caller at the
White House yesterday. he came while
the President was away and left before
Mr.. Taft got back 10 the Office AS he
hurried out of the door he was asked
if he didn't consider the potash situa-
ton serious.
Oh said the Speaker. that's our for
eign relations I've got enough trouble
with our domestic relations
President Taft will follow the old White
House custom again this year and present
a nice fat turkey 10 every married man
who IS employed in any capacity about
the White House. This Includes Office
workers and policemen and others TO the
number of more than 100, so that the
President viii have TO disburse as the
official Santa Claus Of the White House
several hundred dollars worth of gifts.
The Presidents own turkey. which comes
from Horace Vose, of Rhode Island. has
not appeared yet, but is expected IN
few days.