The Washington herald., 1910-01-15

President Taft is confident that peace
will be restored among the warning fac
tions OF his party in the House. lie has
put hts hand vigorously 10 The task.
The fundamental feature Of his plan IS
prospective agreement Of insurgent.
and regulars to participate in a series OF
party caucuses. He would submit all the
administration measures TO the test Of
these caucuses and abide by the result
He thinks the caucus can well supplant
the House Committee on Rules as the di.
recting force In tho winters legislation.
He announced yesterday preliminary
agreement for such caucus participa
ton. a statement was issued about II
from the White House Offices yesterday
afternoon in the following language;
white House Statement.
TT has been agreed between the regular
Republicans and the so-calied insurgents
represented by Mr.. Dwight. On the one
hand. and Alr. Hays, on the other, after
conferences WIZ. he President. that q
caucus should be held TO pass upon tn,
question of the committee IN the Depart
ment Of the Interior investigation, with
the assurance that the insurgents, II they
came into the caucus, would be treated
fairly, and that a committee Of acknOWl-
edged impartiality would be appointed.
a further agreement was foTeshadoweC
that caucuse5 should be held from timt
10 time TO which all elected as Republi-
cans should be invited 70 take up the
various measures recommended by the
administration as performance OF party
pledges. the subject OF each caucus TO bt
announced in advance"
This radical proposition. displeasing tc
the regulars, gratifying TO the insurgents
and, the President believes. Tor the bssl
interests Of the Republican party, was the
chief development Of interest in con
nection with the House row yesterday.
Dwight Explains Plan.
Just before the White House gave out
the statement. Representative Dwight
sent for several newspaper men. and,
with his face beaming. made a few OBJ
seTvatoDs on his own account.
we have decided 10 let by-gones be
by-gones." he said. The tariff bill Is a
thing OF the past. the rules fight was
over long ago. and the Speakership con-
test has been settled for months. So
why stir them up? The insurgents have
received assurances from the organiza-
ton that they viii be treated fairly in
caucus. and they have promised to come
in. be regular. and to vote for the organi-
zation on all party questions"
AT this point Mr. Dwight interpolated
the somewhat astonishing statement:
Mr. Cannon has never wanted any more
than this, nor asked any more than this.
nor expected any more than this"
Credit for effecting this compromise
was given by Mr. Dwight TO President
Taft and Vice President Sherman. The
latter had been especially active. said the
Republican whip.
When the substance of Mr.. DWight's
remarks were conveyed TO Representative
Hayes. that gentleman appeared TO be
put out He said something about Mr.
Dwight's remarks being premature" and
'fll-advised," but an hour or SO later,
when the White House statement was
shown 20 him. he issued one of his own.
Hayes Issues Reply.
Here It is:
1T is true that an understanding has
been reached, that we shall attend the
caucus which will he held for the choice
Of the Republican members of the Bal
nnger- -Ptnchot investigating committee
The question of future conferences Is
one on which there has been no agreement,
in fact, I had no authority from my asso-
ciates to enter into that question.
.'Of course this agreement in no way
affects the issue as TO the present sys-
tenn Of control of the House Of Repre-
sentatives."
But the lines along which the President
is proceeding have been made apparent
Many believe he will succeed, at least,
in effecting a truce. The danger of defeat
10 his measures, because Of factional
wraneIing. will be reduced materially.
The President is determined that the
committee to investigate the Secretary
Of the Interior shall be composed of able
and impartial men, He said yesterday
that he should insist upon having Sena-
tors and Representatives thereon whose
fairness as investigators would be prompt
w recognized by the country. He will not
listen TO the appointment of any one who
has shown by public speeches and other
wise a prejudice against conservation.
Pending Matters Important.
Just now that Is the immediate matter
of importance to the President But in
comparison with other pending matters
hA regards It as secondary. Once the