New-York tribune., 1910-01-11
INSURGENTS In
BATTLE ARRAY
DENY OPPOSITION TO
PRESIDENT TAFT.
But Viii Garry Fight Against
Cannon to Finish-Caucus
VII Be Stormy.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

From The Tribune Bureau-I
Washington. Jan. 10-The Republican
insurgents in both branches of Congress
are now attired in fighting garb, and an
early clash between them and the regu-
lars seems inevitable. The leaders in
the Senate and the House express them
selves as gratified that an issue is TO be
made early in the session. for they re-
gard IL as important that lines shall be
drawn before plans for the winters
legislativsp programme are definitely
formulated.
A statement declaring the alleged at
tempt to read them out of the Repub-
Iican party unfair and malicious and
attacking Speaker Cannon's administra-
ton in the House of Representatives as
''the climax of autocratic control" was
issued after meeting OF the insurgent
Republican members of the House to-
night
They decline to be put out of the Re-
publican party by the regulars and an
nounce their purpose to carry the fight
against the Speaker of the House or
ganization to a finish The statement
follows:
"In the effort to becIoud tho real issue.
an unfair and malicious attempt IS BE-
ing made to represent US as opposed to
President Taft's administration and pol
icies. There is not even senblanee Of
truth in this accusation. Without excep-
ton, we are firm supporters Of Rerub-
Iican doctrines and President Taft's ad-
ninstraton.
1--WE are banded together for a single
purpose, and no other. Our sole aim "a
a body is to restore to the House Of
Representatives complete power Of le5is-
Iation in accordance with the will OF
majority of it's members.
"We are striving to destroy the system,
OF autocratc control which has reached
its climax under the present Speaker.
After days of vaciIlating and con-
ferrins. most of the House insurgents
have decided that they will not attend
any party caucus which may be called
for the purpose of electing members OF
the BaIlinger-Pinchot investigating
committee.
There was anger at the Capitol TO-
day when the insurgents read the press
notices sent out by the Republican Con-
gressionaI Committee, in which the atti-
tude of that committee toward men no
refuse to be regular was clearly denned.
That this anger will result in stormy
session of the Republican caucus on
wednesday night seems certain THIS
caucus has been called for the purpose
of reorganizing the Congressional Com
mittee. and it is expected that all mem
,T1 sd L.
cans will be present. Although the can
provides for no other business, u ts pos
sible that the caucus may take up tne
question of selecting the committee 10
investigate the General Land Office and
the Forest Service.
INSURGENT PRESS BUREAU
significant sidelight was thrown on
the methods of the insurgents at to-day's
session of the Senate. Senator Dick had
read a letter signed by Senators Cum
minis. La Toilette. Bristow and Clapp IN
dorsing as the Washington press agent
of the progressive movement Colonel
John J. Hannah. private secretary TO
Senator La Toilette. 1t appears that Mr.
Hannah. who is Mr.. La FOllette'S chief
nish the Western Newspaper Union
with daily and weekly Washing
ton letter. This agency is endeavOr-
ing to enlarge it's list of newspaper sub
seribers, and Senators Cummins. La Fol-
Iette, Bristow and Clapp VOLUNTEERED 10
assist in the effort. Mr. Dick said that
copies of the letters signed by the four
Senators had been sent in great number
to editors in his state He announced
that, at a later date. he might have
something TO say on this subject. This
letter. which is written on official Sensts
paper, reads as follows:
i. We are pleased TO know that you have
arranged with Colonel John j. Hannah
to furnish you with a daily and weekly
Washington letter from the point of view
of n progressive Republican We take
this means to assure you that Colonel
Hannah is in touch with the men who
are making the contest for Republican
policies within the Republican party.
You can be assured that the matter
which Colonel Hannah sends you viii
contain a fair and accurate description
of the proceedings OF Congress from q
progressive Republican point Of view
VIEWS OF LEADERS.
The leaders in Congress regard the
Hannah publicity plan as addiuonAi
evidence that systematic effort IS be-
ing made TO reach the country prsns
with semi editorial news letters con-
tanning comment designed TO embarrass
the Republican party. to misrepresent
the facts. to discredit the administra-
ton of President Taft. and. incidentally.
TO further Senator La Follette's Presi-
Dental ambitions.
Some of the House insurgents. on the
other hand. insist that the Republican
leaders are trying TO place them in a
false light before the country. They
saw they are not opposed TO the Taft
policies. and that they are regular Re-
publicans on every question except the
House rules and what they denominate
as "Cannonism-"
Doubtless this is true of number or
the men who are opposing MIR. Cannon
and his methods. but there are indica-
tions that some of the more radical in
surgents have reached point where IL
is their disposition. II not their mature
determination. TO join the Democrats on
practically every issue which arises In
Congress The leaders have reached
point where they believe IL IS necessary