Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
TO PLAN PARTY POLICY
Says Necessity for Harmony in Con-
gress Is Urgent.
WOULD PREPARE FOR 1912.
Maryland Salon Fears Majority in
House May Be Unwieldy and Pro-
poses Cooperation Among AL

Special Dispatch to The star
BALTIMORE, Md, November 12.-Sen-
ator Isador Rayner is in favor Of con-
ference of democratic leaders of the coun-
try to be held in Baltimore within the
next few months to outline the party
policy. Democrats generally recognize
that, with the tremendous majority their
party will have in the next Congress,
comes great responsibility and possibil-
tiles of mistakes. To measure up to the
demands Of the situation and avoid di-
visions that will impair party prospects
in 1912 cooperation and harmony are es-
sentional and so recognized.
1t is conceded that the tariff is likely
to prove the great stumbling block, and
a conference such as suggested, at which
views could be interchanged and the
necessity of uniting upon a policy that
will appeal to the people would be Of
tremendous value.
Plan Strongly Indorsed.
Senator Rayner, in commenting upon
the plan today. said:
"I most strongly indorse the plan of
conference of democratic leaders in Bal
timore 1 have talked of conference
along this line with some democratic
members of the Senate. whom I found
most favorably impressed with the idea.
All democrats must recognize at this
tine the urgent necessity OF party mar
! mony and unity IL We are to follow up
the great victory of last Tuesday with
a triumph In the national election two
years hence.
Such a conference would be of the ut
most benefit to the party. 1t ought to be
! free and open. There would be In at
= fo nf a chodoC nf nOiQ-
| ion and all elements. My idea Is that IL
should not be in the nature Of con-
vention, but merely a conference, which
would bind no on who participated In 1t,
\ but at the same time would give oppor-
tunity for the biggest democrats Of the
country to express their views and indi-
| cate the policy which the party should
| pursue to maintain the confidence or the
| people and carry the next election.
| There il no question that some such
| step as this Is almost necessity. Our
| majority in the next House OF Repre-
| sentatives will be SO large as to be un,
wieldy. There is danger of division ano
| a split over minor matters. when there
should be absolute unity on all proposi.
tions of party policy. 1t Is. In my
| judgment, not only essential that the
| democratic party In the next HOUSE
| should measure up to the expectations OF
| the people, but that in the short session
OF the present Congress, which begins
next month, the party in the Senate as
| we'll as in the House should act wisely
| and harmOntously.
Must Take Initiative.
THE people will expect the present
democratic representatives In Congress
| not merely to sit supinely in their seats
| and wait for thirteen months until the
! next Congress assemblies and they are
given the power Of control, but they have
indicated that they look to the demo
cratic party to take the initiative in the
matter of tariff reform and other vital
| measures which are demanded by the
j public and which the republican party
! cannot and will not give them Such q
conference as suggested would serve as q
4 sort of steering committee to the party
| representatives in Congress at the short
/! session. It will cause them to realize tine
4 trend of democratic sentiment. 1t would
/, show q desire to respond to public senti'
! mont and q determination to maintain ~
record as the party Of progress that VIII
mean much to IT. 1t would serve to in
dicate generally to the country the
policies for which the party stands, and
l for which 1t will stand in the next con-
i vention.
| conference either late In January or earl!
i in February, as it will be better to wal
I until after the holidays are over ant
1 everybody is settled down to the winter
work. 1t is my intention as soon al
Congress- assemblies to confer with {
number Of my democratic colleagues II
| the Senate on this proposition of a con
ference In Baltimore. and ! believe there
will be no difficulty In starting the move
| ment and making it success. No ont
can doubt the benefit at this time OF get
| ting all the leading men of the part!
| together for an exchange Of views as t.
what course should be followed by tn
| marty. It is a thoroughly democratic
plan. which should meet with genera
approval, and 1 hope 1t will materialize.