The Washington herald., 1910-05-05
LEADERS AWAIT
RETURN OF TAFT
Continued from Page One.

as 10 INC itilbtN NIdt Ni0y SlloHiN 80 4"
opposing President Tafts programme OF
legislation.
Insurgents Clash on Policy.
AS usual, Senator La Toilette, Of Wis
consln. is the most radical in his views on
the policy that ought to be pursued.
Other insurgents are willing to accept
from the Republican organi-
cation and stand ready to put their shout
der TO the wheel TO bring about legisla-
ton which they viii feel able 10 defend
in the approaching camapgn as the con-
structive work OF the Republican party
in Congress.
A long conference Of the insurgents was
held yesterday afternoon, and II is under
stood that there were some pretty sharp
clashes over this question OF policy. Sen
ator Cummins. who had led the fight
against the railroad bill. is one Of the
insurgents who believes in accepting rea-
sonable concessions
The administration Senators declared
last night that as the result Of their day g
labor they had forty-four Senator's pledged
to stand BY what remains OF the admin
istrat ton railway bill with the exception
OF the long and short haul amendments.
II his is true II will require only two
Democratic votes 20 give them control
Of the situation
This statement how ever. is del lded by
tie insI rgents, who contend that their
slrengtL is un)roken on tho features that
they have BEEN OPT osing.
Democrats May Des .rt lilies.
There were further indications yester-
day OF the disposition OF the Republican
regulars 70 combine and work with the
Democratic minority as the only means
OF breaking up the insurgent-DemocratiC
alliance. on Tuesday the Republican ad-
ministratlOn supporters joined hands with
the Democrats IN voting out sections
and Z Of the bin pledged by the Repub-
licau platform and advocated by Presi-
dent Taft They did this as the only
means Of preventing the adoption OF the
Cummins insurEeut amendment on traffic
agreements.
Yesterday il was apparent that the Re-
publican regulars are thinking Of uniting
with the Democrats again in support
of an amendment offered by Senator
Paynter. Of Kentucky. a Democrat. &c
the long and short haul clause Until
yesterday the insurgents and Democrats
have been standing together on ar
amendment offered by Senator Dixon. Of
Montana. near-insUrgent. which pro-
vides that in no case shall a railroad
charge more for a short haul than FOR q
long hail over the same line. The lnsur.
gents got wind Of the rumor early in the
day that the Democrats were inclined O
desert them and stand for the Paynte,
amendment with the support Of enough
Republican regulars 20 insure its adop
ton.
The insurgents insist that the PaynteI
amendment will prove Ineffective as 6
law, and that the attempt 10 pass ii fl
preference TO the legislation proposed BY
Senator Dixon is move 20 avoid leg
islaunE effectively against widespread
evil. The insurgents charge openly ais,
that the support Of such an amend
ment by the regulars Will be merely par
OF a plan 90 break the coalition between
the Democrats and the insurgents
This was one q the matters considered
by the insurgents at their Afternoon
conference.
Absence of Tnft Criticized.
Several Of the Republican regular
showed a disposition yesterday 20 grum
bic over the absence Of President Tai
from Washington al this critical perio,
in the progress Of his legislative pro
gramme
They say that the present situation de
mands application Of the party whip p,
the President. Thus far President TAT
has refused 20 make any threats Of re
prisal against his enemies in the Senate
and It IS doubtful II he viii enter upoi
that course when he returns to Wash
ington
The Presidents disposition. so il &
said. is TO do what he regards as mi
duty in urging the passage Of legislatio,
and then let the responsibility fall upoi
the members Of Congress who are oppos
ing his programme.
The suggestion was made in some quar-
tiers yesterday that the President might b
urged upon his return TO give up his rail
road bill altogether on the ground tina
its present form IS not acceptable {
him and does not comply with the party
pledge. In this way he might place III
| responsibility directly upon the insur
gents for the failure 20 enact railroa
| legislation.
Aldrich Out of the City.
Senator Aldrich left yesterday for Provi
dence. - remain there until Monday. Thi
| led to reports that the Senator had los
| interest in the administration fight 70
/ the railroad bill, but this was emphatic
/ ally denied by the Senator's friends
| They said that he had one or two impor
tant conference Engagements. and that h
| felt the need Of a few days rest at hi
| home
| Consideration of the bill will be re
sumed in the House to-day. Representa-
tive Mann. Of Illinois, who IS in charge o
the measure, is hopeful Of passing it to
night or tomorrow.
Regular leaders in the House are yer
! bitter over the absence during the consid
GRAFTON Of the bin OF approximately thirt
! Republicans. whose presence would hav
defeated some of the amendments tina
have been adopted that are regarded a
undesirable.
1T was pointed out yesterday that al
analysis OF votes taken shows that man
amendments were adopted with less thai
a majority voting Many regulars hav
absented themselves, with the result tina
the work of the House managers in con
ference will be rendered more difficult.
IF a plan that is now being considere
/ by the Democrats Is carried into effec'