The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-16
REPUBLICANS
BUSYPL PLANNING
|nsuTgentsand Regulars May
Get Together
MEETING At WHITE HOUSE
Feasibility of WipinE Out Republican
fractional Lines Is Question of
Great Moment which Is Be-
ing Considered
MEETING At WHITE HOUSE


fea sible at this late day to try to wipe
out republican factional lines and meet
on some common ground that would
unite the insurgents and regulars in
Congress is the question of greatest
moment now agitating the mind of re-
publican leaders. 1t was raised last nigh t
at conferencc at the White House
which was begun at 1890 p. m. and
continued until 1:15 this morning.
A great many things were talked
over at the mid gathering, and re-
vlsed Legislative Programme was made
up tentatively which it is believed
would command the votes of all the
regular republicans. After that had
been accomplished a discussion fol-
lowed as to the possibility of making
certain concessions that might attract
all of the republicans of the Senate.
Practically all the republican senators
from the west were present last night,
except the most radical progressives,
namely, Senators LaFollette. Bever-
idge, Cummins. Dolliver. Bristow and
Clapp. Among the progressives who
attended were Senators Nelson, Borah,
Brown, Burkett, Dixon, Gamble and
Crawford. These men took leading
part in the discussions and expressed
the opinion that. the difference between
the insurgents and regulars were not
irreconcilable.
The sudden amalgamation of insur-
gents and regulars of the Senate last
Erido " which raaultad II, tba adoption
of an amendment to the railroad bill
on the subject of long and short hauls,
appears to have made the regulars more
progressive in their views on the pend
ing measure "The getting together
was necessitated by the discovery that
the democrats of the Senate had formed
solid front to secure the adoption
of the democratic provision relating to
long and short hauls, which was to
have been put In motion after they had
voted with the regular republicans to
defeat the Dixon amendment favored by
the insurReutE.3 essH ~ ,sz.sss = ~ s 4.
Ii Would be offdcult TO decide whetli er
the regulars or insurgents were the
more surprised when they learned the
plans of the democrats. A vote had
been ordered under the unanimous con-
sont agreement, and there was little
time for that. Senator Aldrich advised
his colleagues that it was time for thu
republicans to get together. The insur-
gents after learning the situation, ac-
quiesoed, and both factions acted ac-
cordingly.
Neither republican faction got ex-
actly what it wanted, but it demon
strated the fact that the republicans
could unite against a common enemy.
At the White House last night there
was some comment on this fact and it
was argued that If this could be done
in relation to the long and short haul
amendment to the railroad bill the case
was not hopeless as applied to other
measures on the administration legis-
lation programme.
When the Senate meets tomorrow to
resume consideration of the railroad
bill it is expected there will be a num-
Der of conferences Senators Borah,
Nelson and others who have voted with
and against the older republican lead
ers of the Senate are expected to act
as the Intermediates where go be-
tweens" appear to be necessary. II
would not be surprising If some agree
ment would be reached during the COM
ing week for the fixing of date to
take vote on the railroad bill.
With this subject out Of the way 1t
hope of hitting the mark on day for
final adjournment of the present ses-
sion of Congress. The insurgents and
regulars of the republican members OF
tse House are now working in some
semblance OF harmony and President
Taft appeared satisfied last night with
the prospects for his programme.
Other than the speech he Is sch eduled
to make before the Worlds Sunday
school association in this city on
Thursday, the President has no impor-
tant engagement for the week He Will
devote himself principally with sena-
tors and representatives regarding the
situation in Congress. Many decisions,
many of them of far reaching tmpor-
tance are expected to be handed down
tomorrow by the supreme court OF the
United States. The court has been In
recess for two weeks and the time mas
been spent in preparation of opinions.
Among other opinions exchanged is
that Involving the constitutionality or
the republican corporation tax law.