The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-19
Wants Them to Tell Him
How to Procure
Legislation.
RESULTS ONLY
AFTER STRUGGLE
Addresses Executives as Fellow
Sufferers" Thinks Confer
cnce Can Render Valuable
Service to Countrywide
mon Speaks Words Of
Praise for Hughes.

4 4 &
Washington. d. G.. January 1s.-
Thirty Governors of as many States
and Territories gathered in conference
this morning to discuss methods OF
bringing about more uniformity OF
the laws In the various States, ques-
ton that has aroused the interest OF
tho entire country. The Governors
have come here of their own initiative,
and their object Is ito bring about
legislation in their own States which
Will be of benefit to their people and
to the whole people of the country.
They have come, too, to add their
voices to the demand that centrali-
zation of power In Washington must
not be allowed to Increase.
President Taft received the Cover
nors at the White House this after
noon at 8 o'clock, and made an address
to them in which he spoke of the
valuable service which they. as a
conference of Governors. could render
the country in bringing about more
uniformity of laws in the States. There
were many great questions of the day,
he said. which the States themselves
must act upon and upon which the
Federal government. under the Consti-
tuition, could not act. He welcomed
the Governors most cordially to Wash
ington.
President Taft INDUCED in a little
good-natured speculation as to how
the English system OF Legislative au-
thortty might work in this country,
especially with respect to giving the
Executive the right 10 argue matters
out with the Legislative branch. and
go before the people II necessary. He
said he would Ike to have heart to
heart talks with some of the Cover
nors as to their methods of procuring
legislation
II would especially like to ask
Governor Harmon how hes manages
with Republican Lests,atdre Out In
Ohio s.:id thu .sidens.sts II ea,s ~
sure him." added Mr.. Taft that there
are struggles even when you have a
Congress which nominally is OF your
own party.
There is no use mourning over our
lack of the English system OF govern
ment in this country. for we can never
have it, but you Governors. as well
as J. have felt at the time the injustice
OF criticism which comes to the Execu-
tive because of lack OF the English
system
President Taft addressed the Gov
ernors as MY dear fellow-executives
and ellow-sufferers."
Praise for Governor. Hughes.
Governor Hughes. of New York. and
former Mayor Seth Low, of New York.
were the speakers at this afternoons
session. Governor Hughes discussed
Governors Conferences-Their Scope
and Purpose" Governor Harmon. of
tHn ~acg1 In -a.f3 {x,$ IL.
the New York Governor as one who
"has shown qualities we all want to
see in public lte.''
In view of his recent announcement
that he Is going to retire from public
life." said Governor Harmon. II want
to say we are all sorry and hope it is
limited announcement"
Governor Hughes suggested that It
was obvious that the next meeting OF
the Governors should be held at some
State capital, instead of in Washing
ton, and urged State cooperation on
matters affecting the States.
Civic Federation on the drafting OF
civic federation on the drafting Of
uniform laws, urging uniformity as
to negotiable Instruments. warehouse
receipts. bills of sale, bills of ladinE
and divorce. 1t alf,o called for speedy
cooperative action looking to sup
preston Of the white slave evil, so
that no State should be a harbor OF
refuge for white slaves from another
State. The report recommended model-
ing pure food and drugs legislation
after the national law. protested
against Legislatures making such
amendments to uniform Legislation In
tended to be uniform; stamped the
warehouse receipt act al the law OF
the Anglo-Saxon world, enacted by
seventeen States, Including New York,
where 1t had been most opposed, ana
said thirty -eight States had enacted
a uniform negotiable Instruments
(Continued on Page Four-column g.