New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-16
REPUBLICANS UNITING
Higher Hopes for President
Taft's Programme.
TERMS AT WHITE HOUSE
Indications of Tolerance on Part
of Insurgents-Supreme
Court Decisions.

Washington, May 15.-Whether 1t is feas>
ibie at this late day TO try to wipe out Re-
publican factionaI lines and meet on some
common ground which would unite the in
surgents and regulars in Congress. is the
question OF greatest moment now asitatinG
the minds OF the Republican leaders. It
was raised last night at conference at
the White House, which was begun at 10 80
o'clock and continued until rs o'clock
this morning.
a great many things were talked over ct
the midnight gathering, and a revised leg
isgatve programme was made up tentative
ly, which it was believed would command
the votes OF practically all of the regular
Republicans. After that had been accom-
plished discussion followed as to the pos
sibility of making certain concessions which
might attract all of the Republicans of the
Senate.
Practically all the Republican Senators
from the West were present last night, ex-
cept the most radical progressives, namely,
Senators La Toilette, Beverage, Cummins,
DoIliveT, Bristow and Clapp. Among the
progressives who attended We're Senators
Nelson, Borah, Brown, Burkett, Dixon.
Gamble and Crawford. These men took
leading part in the discussions, and ex
between the insurgents and regulars were
not irreeoneilable.
The sudden amalgamation of insurgents
and regulars of the Senate last Friday,
which resulted in the adoption OF an
amendment to the administration railroad
bill on the subject of long and short hauis,
appeared to have made the regulars more
tolerant of progressive views on the pend
ing measure. The getting together was
made necessary by the discovery that the
Democrats of the Senate had formed q
solid front to secure the adoption of a
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 insurgents
1t would be difficult to decide whether the
regulars or the insurgents were the more
surprised when they learned the plans Of
the Democrats. A vote had been ordered,
under the unanimous consent agreement,
and there was little time for thought. SEN
ator Aldrich advised his colleagues that it
was time for the Republicans to get to-
gether. The insurgents, after learning the
situation, acquiesced. and both factions
acted accordingly.
Neither Republican faction got exactly
what it wanted, but the fact was shown
that the Republicans could unite against
a common enemy At the White House
last night there was some comment on this,
and &c 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 meas
ures on the administration legislative pro-
gramme.
When the Senate meets tomorrow to re-
sumo consideration of the railroad bill, 1t is
expected there viii be a number OF in-
formal conferences. Senators Borah. Nell
son, Dixon 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-betweens'
appear to be necessary. 1t would not be
surprising IL some agreement would be
reached during the coming week for the
fixing of a date 10 take a vote on the rail-
road bill.
With this subject out of the way it will
be possible to speculate with some hope of
fixing day for final adjournment of the
present session of Congress. The in
surgents and regulars Of the Republican
majority in the House are now working in
some semblance of harmony, and President
Taft appeared satisfied last night with the
prospects for his measures.
Except for the speech he is scheduled TO
make before the Worlds Sunday School
Association in this city on Thursday, the
President has no important engagements
for the week. He will devote himself prin
cipally to conferences with Senators and
Representatives regarding the situation in
Congress.
Many decisions, several of them Of far
reaching Importance, 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
has been spent in the preparation of opin-
ions. Among other decisions expected Is
that involving the constitutionslity Of the
corporation tax law.