The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-04
President Makes First Attempt
to COnciliate Insurgents
in Congress.
HE Is PAVING THE WAY
FOR 1912 NOMINATION
Senator's Cummins and BOrah
at White House, but Pro-
gressives Scout Peace.
BY Leased Wire to The Tribune.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Senator A.
b. Cummins, the leader Of the pro-
gressives in the senate, today was in
vited to the White House by Private
Secretary Norton. Senator Cummins
RESPONDED to the invitation and called
at the White House this afternoon. He
was quickly followed by Senator Will
liam Z. Borah OF Idaho, progressive.
Later came the information that Sena-
tor Bristow Of Kansas had been in
vited. but failed TO Put in an appear
ance.
The ball has been set rolling beyond
any question, to bring about the nomi
nation and election OF President Taft
in 1912. The first great step taken 10
achieve this result is to smooth over
the relations between the progressives
and regulars.
II has been forecasted for some time
that President Taft would undertake
this winter radically different policy
from the one he pursued last winter,
when he cut off the progressives from
patronage and otherwise allowed his
displeasure toward them to become evi-
dent
Conciliating Cummins.
The summoning of Senator Cummins
70 the White House bears out what has
been forecasted in striking and en-
phatic fashion. Senator Cummins has
not been White House visitor until
today since last December. Just about
q year has gone by since he entered tho
White House offices.
Senator Cummins today discussed the
outlook as to the progressive force In
congress and various matters related
to il. He had no comment to make on
his visit to the White aouse. He made
il plain that the progressives IN the
senate were going ahead straight on
the lines which they have followed in
the past.
Immediately conferences will be held
by the progressives and something like
4 programme for this winter will be
agreed upon.
Senator Cummins predicted that while
this session would be productive of lit
tie legisla ton there would be discus
sion in the senate of numerous impor-
tant subjects. He looks for the pro-
gressives to push the question of con
troll of railroad capitalization, of in
dustrial incorporation generally. He
expects TO discuss this question i'll its
legal phases before the senate at no
distant date.
The progressives, in Senator Cum
minis IS opinion, will also fight for 4
real tariff commission, for direct elcc.
tion of senators and for those things
generally for which they are recognized
MS standing. But OF them all be con"
siders that control of capitalization is
the most important.
Insurgents Not Placated.
In insurgent circles il was said the
preliminary conference with the presi.
dent had given no definite promise of
success. The president was reported as
conciliatory, and is said TO have de-
elared he was anxious to do all IN his
power to bring about unity of action
in the party.
AS Senator Cummins was departing
with copy of the president s message
in his hands, the senator remarked
upon the fact that it has been long
time since he had visited the executive
Offices
''But you will probably come oftener
in the future''' was suggested.
81 wouldn I predict that too strong
W. replied the progressive leader with
smile. 81 am always glad to come,
however.
Holds Out Olive Branch.
"Your conference with the president
was a pleasant ouei' he was asked.
"This conference with you gentle
men is very pleasant" the senator an
swered, and said goodbye. declaring he
could not discuss his visit.
Senator Borah said he would have a
further conference with the president
next week. He had little TO say.
Reports of the conference spread
quickly through the city, however, and
IL became known that the president
practically had offered the olive branch
TO the progressives, with many of whom
he had not been on the most cordial
terms.
The insurgents of both houses proba'
bly, will hold caucus before deciding
on any course of action. Their tone
tonight was hardly conciliatory-