The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-01-24
TAFT STRENGTHENS
LEGISLATIVE PLAN

Washington. Jan. 23-Activity.
such as seldom has been displayed
by committees so early in the first reg
ular session Of a congress, is now in
evidence in both wings of the capitol.
Although there are practically three
parties. regular" Republicans, in.
surgent" Republicans and Democrats.
there are signs On every hand that
President Taft is daily gaining sup
porters for his legislative program
Tho skill shown by the president In
avoiding clashes with either Republi.
can faction and the knack be has eX~
hibited In compelling the aid Of both
in his fight over the redemption OF
party pledges has noticeably depress-
ed the Democratic minority.
In the house there are indications
that threatened fusion of Democrats
and insurgent Republicans on several
legislative questions is now feared
by the majority.
Taft is trying to beat the Demo
ling the next house" remarked a
prominent Democratic leader of the
senate yesterday.
IF 1t wero not for the way he is
knocking Republican heads together
and making them fall into line for
advanced eglslation-Democrat leg
islation. II you please-we would get
you fellows sure" predicted this min.
orlty leader. addressing the Republi-
cans present The senator was talk
ing to men who had just agreed upon
the principle OF piece Of western
legislation that. admittedly few Of
them favored The incident furnishes 8
a good illustration of the present con-
gressIonal situation.
Getting susy EARLY.
Committees are now considering
subjects usually proposed until after
the appropriation bills are passed by
the house. The senate committees,
under pressure from the white house,
have laid plans to take up the admin
istrativc measures, while the house
has supply bills under consideration.
Indications are that by the time the
house calendar has been cleared of
budget bills, the senate will have
ready for the attention Of that body
q number OF important bills, Senate
bills who have gone to the white
house have been told that 1t is not
necessary TO wait for action by the
house on matters designed TO carry
out Republican pledges. Those In
clined to stay away from the white
house have been sent for. or tho
warning has been delivered to them by
their colleagues.
Not content with such notice, Mr.
Taft has taken the further precAu.
tion OF getting Service by publica-
ton" In other words. he has made
the newspapers his confldantes and
perhaps. incidentally. his supporters.
on most Of the advanced legislation
proposed by him.
II is regarded probable that the
presidents railroad bill Will be enact
ed al the present session. regardless
of the fact that bills on the snme
subject. and somewhat opposed 10 the
Taft bill, have been introduced in the
senate bill by Mr.. Cummins and in
the house by Mr.. Mann
There may be some Democratic op-
position to certain features of the
administration bill. Mr.. Tillman Ia
studying 1t and has reached the con-
clusIon that the proposition 10 allow
railroads under certain conditions to
make Joint rates amounts TO pooling.
The Republicans say he is mistaken
and an interesting session OF the sen
ate committee on interstate COM
merce Is predicted for Friday. Rail
road bills will be taken up by the
house committee on Thursday.