The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-19
CONFERENCE OF
 THE GOVERNORS President Taft Delivers the Ad-
 dress of Welcome
MOVEMENT IS IMP0RTAN I
Addresses Are Made By Prominent Men Upon Subjects Relating to
 Uniform State Laws and
 Various Federal Laws.

NiS SohiSrehce or governors at the Wnlte House this afternoon President Taft in- dulged in a little good-natured specula- tion as to how the English system of executive authority might work in this country, especially in regard to giving the executive the right to argue matters out with the legislative branch and go be- Tore the people if necessary. He said he would like to have heart to heart talks with some of the governors as to their methods of procuring legislation T would especially like to ask Cover nor Harmon how he manages with a re- publican legislature out in ohio," said the President T can assure him. added MT Taft, that there are struggles even when you have a Congress which nom inally is of your own party President Taft addressed the governors as My dear fellow executives" and Fellow sufferers
 The President told the governors he would have been glad to have had them hold their sessions at the White House, but added that their committee and him. ] self had concurred in the belief that it would probably be better to hold the ses- sions in a neutral place, so to speak. where one would feel more independent and where doubtless things could be said and done which perhaps might be lit- i tie embarrassing in doing were one under ] the executive shadow
 T regard this movement as of the most importance. The federal constitution has 1 stood the test of more than 100 years in supplying the powers that have been needed to make the central government as strong as 1t ought to be, and with this movement toward uniform legislation and agreement between the states I do not see why the constitution may not serve our purposes always.
 English System.
 T have thought that the English system ] presents in certain respects a better sys- tenn than ours, in view of inevitable re- sponsibility of the executive for Iegisla- ton, because there the executive is not only the executive but also has control over the legislative action of the govern ment, leads the legislator, and indeed goes out when, as when party head. he is not able to control the majority | of them
 It seems to me without even hoping or suggesting that there can be any change in our system, for It's rigidity has advantages, that still that system ] would present good many opportuni- ties that you and I would like to seize | upon to argue out questions to thu legislature, and not only to argue out l questions, but to save them time by giving them considerable information on subjects in regard to which they are not advised. It shortens, I am certa in. the course of legislation, but we have not got that system; We haven't it in any state, and we are not going to have it, so there is no need of mourn irc Co have it.
 Tt is because you do have such great influence in molding legislation that your meeting to secure uniformity of laws is so important. and significant.
 T feel that this is the beginning of conferences which are certain to lead in the end to an adjustment of state legislation, that will make our country able to do much more team work in the public good than we have before thought possible"
 Speech of Hughes.
 Governor Hughes of New York and former Mayor Seth Low of New York city were the speakers at this after noon's session. Governor Hughes dis cussed "Goveronrs' Conferences; Their Scope and Their Purposes" Governor Harmon of Ohio. the presiding officer, introduced the New York governor as , "one who has showed qualities we all want to see in public life"
 Tn view of his recent announcement that he is going to retire from public 1 life," said Governor Harmon, 'T want to say we are all sorry and hope 1t ia a 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 Washington, and urged state cooperation on matters affecting. the states
 MT. Low presented a report of the Civic Federation on drafting uniform laws urging uniformity as to negotia- ble instruments, warehouse receipts bills of sale. bills of lading. and di- vorce. It also called for speedy CO., operative action looking to suppress sion of the white slave evil so that nc | state should be a harbor or refuge of white slaves from another state. | The report recommended remodelline pure foods and drugs Legislation after the national law, protested against leg islatures making such amendments tc uniform legislation intended to be uni form. stamped the warehouse receipt ac' as the law of the Anglo-Saxon world enacted by IT states. including New York, where it had been most opposed and said 3S states had enacted uniform negotiable instruments law. and declared that the uniform divorce Legislation through the prescribed channels was de signed to put an end to migratory and 1 fraudulent divorce.
 Gen Lewis Wagner of Philadelphia urged on the convention the sending O. representatives from the various statei to join with the "1ftieth anniversar, of Gettysburg'' commission in arrange ments for observance of the battle fl July. 1913
 Dinner to Governors.
 Tonight the governors attended din. | ner given by John Hayes Hammond ano the regular reception at the White House
 Governor Pothier of Rhode Island wil preside at the session tomorrow morn ing.
 As a preliminary at the White Hous' this evening the governors met at th' Willard hotel this morning and enecte' 6 temporary organization. Governor VIII son of Kentucky, the temporary chair man. in a brief address, declared tn' conference had no legal standing what socver.
 Nor are we met to form house O governors he added. The very tern seems to me to smack of the house o lords of England, This conference ha' , been devised in the interest of the peo pie of the country 4, Governor Sloan of Arizona was rnao' temporary secretary and the foliowin' committees were appointed:
 On organization Governors tort O.