New-York tribune., 1910-01-14

OF the President In actively assuming the
role of harYnonizer between the contend
ing factions was his desire to have the
conservation question investigated by
committee IN which the country would
have confidence. He was fearful that
the insurgents in their desire to humili-
ate Speaker Cannon would place serious
obstacles in the way of the committee
ard impede an expeditions and thorough
Investigation. The President wants a
committee that will go to the bottom of
things and submit a report based solely
on the records and the facts. and not
committee whose members will be con-
trolied by political considerations. the
wishes of the Speaker or friendliness for
either Secretary Sallinger or Mr. Pin
chot Mr.. Taft is not attempting to die
tate the personnel OF this committee, but
he hopes IL will be representative body
which will realize that il is charged with
a solemn duty, and that on the result of
its deliberations depend the regulations
of two OF the country's foremost citizens.
Mr.. TAFT TO INSURGENTS.
These views were communicated by
President Taft o-day to Representative
Hayes, OF California. chairman of the
insurgents MFR. Taft explained to the
Californian that he was not at all con-
cerned with the fight on Speaker Cannon
and thai he WAS entirely willing 10 allow
the insurgents full liberty in their at
tacks en- the House rules but he pointed
out that when these contests imperilled
and poIfciaS W bSof1 the country
demands and which he has recommended,
his duty TO the country and the party
requires him to exert his influence for
harmony.
He told Mr. Hayes that he desired the
insurgents to attend the caucus and TO
assist in electing fair and unprejudiced
committee which would have the conf
dence OF the entire country.
Mr. HAYES Immediately returned to the
Capitol and spent the remainder of the
day in comforting with the insurgents
singly and in groups. He repeated the
Presidents statement and advised ces-
Eation of hostiiities for the present in
order that the President and the country
might not find justice for the opinion
that the insurgents are primarily organ
constructive legislators.
So successfully did Mr.. Hayes do this
work that late this afternoon Repre-
sentative Nelson, of Wisconsin, the in
surgent whip, predicted an amicable
agreement between the two factions and
asserted that the Ballinger-Pinchot COM
mittee would be elected without undue
friction and that majority of the in
surgents would attend the caucus.
AGREEMENT PREDICTED.
TT is extremely difficult to make
final prediction as to the action of the
insurgents in regard to the caucus at
present" said Mr.. Nelson. Il am con-
ffdent, however, that Il great majority or
them will attend. They may not remain
long, but their present disposititu u is TO
give the organization an opportL nifty to
accord fair treatment II the House
leaders manifest desire to be fair the
insurgents will meet them more than half
way We will insist, however, on having
one Of our number on the committee and
we are also opposed to having the Dena-
ocratic members named in a Republican
caucus"
Neither Representative Volstead. of
Minnesota, nor Representative Gardner,
Of Ma assachusetts will be selected by the
insurgents. They would be delighted if
Representative Parsons of New York.
would accept the place as an insurgent,
but as Mr.. Parsons is in New York they
have not been able TO lay the matter be-
fore him. Representative Hinshaw, OF
Nebraska, and Representative Madison.
of Kansas, are being considered.
The present prospect is that the caucus
will be held on Tuesday night. The con-
ferrees on the resolution providing for
the investigation held no meeting to-day
They will meet tomorrow morning and
although there is a serious difference of
opinion on the question of giving parties
to the investigation the right to appear
by counsel, the chances are that an
agreement viii be reached early. AS the
Senate has adjourned until Monday, ac-
tion on the conference report will not be
taken until next week.
CANNON FOR SQUARE DEAL.
Speaker Cannon declared to-day that
the insurgents would have a square deal
in the caucus if they entered it. There
were no efforts in advance by anybody.
ne said, TO set trap or pitfall for those
who have been fighting the organization,
but, on the other hand, no one could
properly give any definite assurances or
promise as TO what the outcome of the
caucus would be. Every one of the two
hundred and more Republicans in the
House would be invited, and they should
attend, said the Speaker. He added that
there would be no effort in the caucus To
punish any one for what might he
termed past misdeeds. but that every
Republican Representative should coma
10 the caucus and take pot luck" on tba
result Whatever the majority finally
decided should be accepted by those who
disagreed.