The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-04
Gets lnsurgentsand Reg
ulars Together at
White House.
HIS CHANCES ARE
MOI PROMISING
.Cummins and Borat Stars at
Conference Which Makes Po-
litical Washington Sit Up
and Take Noticc-Factions
Show No Spirit of
Cancellation.

Washington. D. c. December s.--In
what was said to be an initial effort to
bring about q scmblance OF harmony
in the divided Republican forces Of the
United States Senate President Taft
invited number of the Regular ana
Progressive leaders 10 the White House
to-day.
The presence of the Regulars who
dropped N alngly and In pairs during
the day. attracted little attention; bun
political Washington began to sit up
and take notice when Senator Il. r.
Cumrnins, OF Iowa. the recognized les
or OF TIE In5urscnt wing OF tho party
IN the senate arrived at the executive
Offices at 5.45 T. NJ He WAS quickly
followed By Senator William Z. Boz
OF idaho Later came the infoTinafien
that Senator Br!stow. OF Kansas, had
been inyiteu py the Rreaioent nImssic
TO conc TO the White House, but had
failed to put IN All appearance. The
President did not attempt to bring the
senate leaders together III one big con-
ference. There were never more than
two IN hts private Office at one time
lie saw Senator's Cummins and Borah
together and ttien had private word
with each alone.
No Promise of Success.
In lnsurgent circles Tonight II wag
said that the preliminary conference
with the President had given no dem
mite promise OF success.
a prominent member of the Progress
size wing In tic Senate was asked to-
night for an expression as TO the out
look Tor bringing the Regulars axd
Insurgents together H. shook has
mead. such thing is posHibie, sne
declared. but It cersainly Is not prob
abba. This opinion was echoed by
others
Al the White House it was not ad-
United that President Taft was maxi
INF, srecin effort 10 bring the Insur'
gents OF Progressiyes into line.
Senator Clminina'A call at the White
House to-day wan the first he had made
there in over year. He made no ef-
fort TO conceal the fact that his pres
cnce ct the executive Offices was due
entirely TO the Presidents specific IN
vitation As he was leaving the White
House with u copy of the Presidents
message in his hands. the Senator re-
marked upon the fact that it had been
long time since he had visited the
executive Offices.
..But you probably will come oftener
in the futurer" was suggested.
Il would not predict that too strong
ly,' replied the Progressive leader, with
a smile. Il am always glad to come,
however"
The Insurgents of both houses of
Congress probably Will hold caucus
before deciding on any course of ac-
ton Their tone tonight was hardly
conclliatory
VIII Stand Firm.
Senator Cummins gave the first out
line OF the program that is to be fol-
lowed by the so-cailed Progressives in
the session that opens Monday. 1T Is
not probable that any measure of first
importance can be passed by Congress
at this session." said Senator Cummins,
Those OF us who are known as Pro-
gressives will stand firmly, however.
for the consideration of a tariff COM
mission bill and the enactment OF legis-
latlon that will organize tarilf COM
mission upon what we consider salts
factory basis.
.'We will urge the adoption of a
resolution for the election of sena-
tors by direct vote of the people; the
passage of measure providing for
the valuation of the physical property
of railroads and commerce carriers
and an inquiry into the investment
represented in tho properties Of COM
mon carriers. We will urge also the
enactment of a law to limit the is
suance of stocks and bonds by COM
mon carriers.
TT is unlikely that many of these
measures will make actual progress
during this session." Senator Cnmmins
added, "but all consideration given to
them this winter will be so much |
gained, There will be less work to
do at another time
The Senator made 1t clear that the
progressive Senators will not await
the report Of President Taft's railway
securities commission before urging
another bill for the control Of the
Issuing of railroad stocks and bonds.
Convcnes To-MorrOw.
Promptly Monday at noon Speaker
Cannon In the House and Vice-Presi-
dent Sherman in the Senate will let
their gavels fall and tho chaplains
will make their invocations for Wis
don, to guide the Legislators and for
peace In their deliberations. &
Tho session will witness the ball |
nncing of books by the Republicans
In the House, for with the coming In
of the Sixty bird Congress the Demo
Gratis will be in control, and tho pres
ent, majority will become the minority
Democratic critics will Investigate
the Republican management to secure
party gain.
There will be a house cleaning In the
: Senate also, for while that body pronn-
tscs to remain Republican for,. at leas:
another year. the majority will he sllNl,
Observation-Disclosures process. will take
precedence over new LEGISLATION, even
tha urged 81 s5rssasntt
nounced the session will do little.
The approaching session OF Congress-
will witness the passing. OF many M
tiOnal figures. Many of the most prom. |
lnent and influential leaders In Con
Eress were man handled horribly by
1rantinucd on fifth Pagc.)