Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-19
HARMONY IS SOUGHT
Democrats Discuss Proposed
General Conference.
SOME PUZZLING QUESTIONS
Suggestion That Newly Elected Gov
ernors Be Invited Opposed.
TARIFF PROBLEM LOOMS UP
Advisability of an Extra Session of
Congress to Dispose Of the Mat
ter Soon to Be Considered.
TARIFF PROBLEM LOOMS UP

Incoming democratic representatives in
Congress are discussing the proposed call
ing of a general conference, as suggested
by Senator Rayner, to define Line of
harmonious democratic policy. There are
some features connected with the sug-
gestion which perplex the democrats.
The first proposition under discussion
is, who shall determine the eligibility of
the parties to the conferences; who shall
be invited to participate and who omit
ted? That question is something of a
sticker at the outset. The next queS-
ton is, how far could a general confer
ence go in advising a democratic Con-
gress without bordering on impertinence
and meddiesomeness? Another is, what
right would the governors of states have
in q conference to dictate federal legis-
lative policy to men elected by the peo-
pie for that very purpose?
And last, but by no means least, might
not such conference disclose Immediate
ly factiOnal differences within the party,
between the ultra conservatives of the
east and the supposed radicals of the
west? The purpose of the democratic
leaders now is to heal their breaches, not
expose. nor at any rate to widen them.
Conferences Deemed Necessary.
All are agreed that earnest and fire.
quent conferences among the democrats
of the House and Senate will be not only
advisable but necessary. These will be
held in caucus and surrounded with such
atmosphere of secrecy as the partici-
pants may deem expedient. 1t is argued
that legislative policies should not be ad-
vised nor determined by outsiders who
are to take no part in their enactment
nor suffer any responsibility for their
success or failure.
It is argued further that the newly
elected representatives, fresh from the
campaign and impressed with the emo
tiOns and desires of the people, are bet
ter fitted to outline policy of legislation
to meet their demands than the theOriSt
who viewed the battle from the sanctum
Of his inner law office or the bench or
other 'cioistered aloofness.'
Give me the views Of the democratic
representative from one of these captured
republican districts rather than the Opin-
ion of your Edward NJ. Shepards or your
Alton B. Parkers and the like said
democrat today.
Participation Of Governors.
Another consideration urged against
inviting the democratic governors OF
states to the conference is that clashing
presidential ambitions might dwarf their
judgment or interfere in some way with
full and free conference.
There are at least four democratic gov
ernors-elect who are in the presidential
running: toss of Massacnuse.t-, Dlx OF
New York, Wilson or New Jersey and
Harmon Of Ohio. Perhaps there nay be
radical differences of O..nlon as TO the
policies among these prospective canui-
dates.
why should we load down our legis-
i've w
asked this same democrat, continuing the
cOnvefSauO 1.-The national policy is
usually determined by legislation and re-
ftected in the Platforms or Lati.nai con-
venIions. Presidential aSpi- ants, pro-
specuve or actual, can then take them Or
leave them.
Extra Session and the Tariff.
The first question the democrats will be
called upon to answer, after their ar ivai
in December. will be whether they SHAH
force an extra session Of Congress to act
upon tariff revision, soon after tie Sixty
nrst Congress dies, Marcn 4. There is dl-
vision OF opinion on this point. 1t will
pIobaoly be unuer discussion in caucus
soon after Congress r.assemDles.
some uemo.ia.s think II desirable to
have The extra session and get tde tarlH
out of the way long Dc.ure tie piesl-
Dental and congressional ,anLa.ons pe
gin. They point to the fate tnal ha,
uniformly beIailen the Iarty in power
when revising the taiih on the eve or a
campaign.
U.ne.s fear to tackle the tariff SO
carry. lest they fail to make sausfac-
tory revision and d.sappoint the expecta-
tions of the pubic at me very outset OF
their lease of power.
All realize that the democratic party Is
facing very delicate situation Concern
ing the tariff. The democrats are to un-
dertake what the republican party failed
TO do-satisfy everybody with tariff leg
islation. The democrats must meet the
demand for tariff reducuon-not tariff re-
vision. Yet, if they reduce it too much
they encounter two dangers-cutting OIL
the employment Of men in the shops with
consequent lessening of demand for the
products Of the farm.