The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-12-04
Many Conferences Are Held
At the White House
SMALL STIR IS CREATED
Members of Both Factions of the Re-
publican Party Are Called TOgeth-
er and Olive Branch Is Of
fered to Insurgents

Washington. December BIN what was
said to be an initial effort to bring about
a semblance of harmony in the divided
republican forces of the United States
Senate, President Taft invited a num-
Der of regular and progressive leaders to
tho White House today
The presence of the regulars, who
dropped in singly and in pairs during the
day, attracted little attention. But poIit-
ical Washington began to sit up and
take notice when Senator Cummins of
Iowa, the recognized leader of the in
surgent wing of the party in the Senate,
arrived at the executive offices at 9:l5
p. m. He was quickly followed by Sem
ator William E. Borah of Idaho, progress
sive. Later came the information that
Senator Bristow of Kansas had been in
yhed by the President to come to the
White House, but had failed TO put in
an appearance The President did not
attempt to bring all the Senate leaders
into one big conference. There were
never more than two in his private office
al one time. He saw Senators Cummns
and Borah together and then had pri-
vGte word with each alone.
No Promise of Success
In insurgent circles tonight it was sail
that the preliminary conferences with
the President had given no definite prom
ise of success The President was re-
ported as conciliatory and said to have
declared that he was anxious TO do all
in his power to bring about unity of
acton in the party.
\ prominent member of the progressive
Wing in the Senate was asked tonight for
an expression as to the outloak for
| bringing the regulars and progressives
together He shook his head
such thing Is possible he declared,
hut it certainly is not probable
This opinion was echoed by others.
At the White House it was not admitted
that Prfsideut Taft was making special
effort to bring the insurgents or progress
sives ihso isae 1t was declared with q
| great Gsal f emphasis chat Senators
CunmnIs. pc ii and Bristow had been
Invited to eall as a part of the Presidents
Ian to consult as many as possible OF
the senators and congressman regarding
accommodations in his message, and the
legislative programme for the coming
| session.
Many Call ON Taft
1t was pointed out that during the day
lnn E1tSlutHi ildQ tOHsHlttd VIII '2NlitA
tors Lodge of Massachusetts. Root of New
York, Nelson of Minnesota, McCumber
of North Dakota. Curtis of Kansas, Smoot
Of Utah. and a host of representatives
from various sections of the country. 1t
also was said that several of the House
insurgents We're to be invited TO confer
ences next week
Senator Cummins' call at the White
House today was the first lie had made
there in over year. He made no effort
to conceal the fact that his presence at
ths executive offices was due entirely to
the Presidents specific invitation AS he
was leaving the White House with copy
OF the Presidents message in his hands,
lie senator remarked upon the fact that
it had been long time since ne had
visited the executive offices.
"But you probably will come oftener
in the futureY' was suggested.
AT wouldn't predict that too strongly,
,enlied the progressive leader with a
smile. Il am always glad to come, how=
over.'
was a pleasant one? asked one OF d
group of newspaper men
Pleasant Conference
'prhis conference with you gentlemen
has been very pleasant the senator an
swered and said goodbye, declaring he
senator Borah said he would have a
snrther conference with the President
,.xt week ike Senator Cummins, he
lad little or nothing 10 say. Reports VI
the conference spread quickly thIousii
tie city and it became known that the
President practically had offered the ollVe
branch to the progressiVes, with many o'
whom he mad NOT peeh oii nc t
0lal terms. ~,
Tile insurgents of both houses OF Con-
.rcss will probably hold caucus before
deciding on any course OF ACTON. lheh
tone tonight was hardly conciiatory
"rhe fact that this is the short session
of Congress with the time Tor lesisiatlHe
action limited will not prevent the bring
ing of important legislative pfopos'iis ~
the attention of the country ana Non-
gress." said Senator cummins shoruy
after leaving the White House
",rhe senator gave the first outline oil
,h, ,,rogramme that is to be followed py
the so-called progressives In the session
that opens Monday. II is the plan OF
these members to urge the further consul :
GRAFTON of a tariff commission law similar
to that embodied in the Beveridge bill,
and to draw attention again to measures
for further control of common carriers
Not Much VIII BE Done
,lt is not probable that any measures
of first importance can De passeu "
Congress at this session, said, senator
Cummins ''Those of us who are known
as proeressives will stand firmly, how
ever. for the consideration of "a tarlfr
commission bill, and the enactment or leg
islation that will organize tariff COM
mission upon what we consider satisfae-
tory basis.
1--WE will urge the adoption of resolu-
finn for the election of senators by direct
vote of the people; the passage OF a
measure providing for the valuation OF
the physical property of railroads and
common carriers and an inquiry into the
investment represented In the properties
of common carriers. We will urge also
the enactment of a law to limit the issu-
ance of stocks and bonds by common car
riers.
1T Is unlikely that many of these meas
ures will make actual progress during
this session Senator cummins added
ebut ali consideration given to them this
winter will be SO much gained There
will be less work to do at another Time.
The senator made II clear that the pro.
gressive senators will not await the re-
port of President rafts railway securities
commission before urging another bill
| for the control of the issuing of rail
road stocks and bonds.