The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-24
President Taft Is Hammcring
Peace Into Ranks of DON'T
nant Party.
SHOWING MUCH ADRolTNEss
By Avoiding Factionalism He
Has. ncc of Getting
Measures Through.

Washington, D. C. January 23.--Ac-
gtiSfty such az has seldom. IL se~ts ~,
fore. been displayed By committees SO
early in the first regular session of
a. Congress, is now in evidence in both
wings OF the Capitol. Although there
are practically three parties--the
regular" Republicans. the ..insurgent"
Republicans and the Democrats-ma-
nouevring for political advantage.
there are signs on every hand that
President Taft by steering his charac-
teristic middle of -the-road'' course. Is
daily gaining supporters for his legis-
lative program.
The skill shown by the President in
avoiding clashes with either faction
of the ruling party and the knack
he has exhibited in compelling the aid
of both in his fight for the redemption
of party pledges have noticeably i'm
pressed the Democratic minority. In
the House there are indications that
and insurgent Republicans on several
legislative question is now little
feared by the majority.
Taft Is trying to beat the Demo-
Gratis out of any prospect of controlling
the next House." remarked a promi-
nent Democratic leader of the Senate
yesterday speaking frankly to his col
leagues of both parties in a committee
session considering an administration
bill.
Knocking Heads Together.
"If it wcrc not for the way he is
Knocking Republican heads together
and making them fall'into line for adj
yanced observation-disclosures legisla-
ton IL you pleasc-we would get you
fellows sure,' predicted this. minority
leader addressing the Republicans pre-
sent.
The Senator was talking to men WHO
had Just agreed upon the principal of
a piece of Western legislation that
admittedly. few OF them favored at
heart. The incident furnishes q good
Illustration tof the present congression-
al situation.
Committees arc now considering sub
jects usually postponed untileafter APP
preparation bills are passed by the
House. The Senate committees. under
pressure from the White House. have
laid plans to take up administration
measures while the House has supply
bills under consideration.
Senate leaders 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 car
ry out Republican pledges. Those who
have been inclined to stay away from
tho White House have been sent. for.
or the warning has been delivered to
them by their colleagues
lit is regarded as highly probable
that the Presidents proposed railroad
will be enacted nt the pre-
sent session, regardless of the fact that
bills on the same subject and some-
what opposed to the Taft biM have
been introduced in the Senate by MT.
HCummins. and in the House by Mr..
Mann. of Illinois, There may be some
Democratic opposition to certain fea-
lures Of tho administration bill. Mr..
'rillman believes the proposition to al
low railroads under certain conditions
to make Joint rates AMOUNTS to pooling.
Railroad bills will be taken up by the
House Committee on Thursday.
Hard Shedding.
The Presidents Federal incorpora
tion bill is expected to have the hard
est shedding of any measure In his
legislative program. Land bills and
measures designed to carry on the
work OF conserving natural resources
will receive careful attention at the
present session. regardless Of probable
extension into next summer OF the in.
vestlt ltg!ation OF the Balllnger- Plnchot
contrnyersy.
The urgent deficiency bill is before
the lower house, and probably will
require IA couple Of days more to pass
IT, The agricultural bill. carving ap-
Y n. (Continueii on Second PaKe.) @-'