The Washington times., 1911-02-14
CLAIMS RECIPROCITY
VICTORY FOR TAFT
Representative Fassett Says
Champ Clark Cannot Steal
Presidents Thunder.

Representative j. Sloat Fassett of
New York, while at the White House.
today, raised the interesting question
whether the President had swallow
ed Champ Clark or Champ Clark had
| swallowed the President in their ad-
vocacy of reciprocity with the world.
The New Yorker pointed out that
at the Pan-American meeting yester-
day the Democratic leader had come
out for reciprocity with all nations
| which wanted 1t, and that in few
minutes the President had come along
with a speech exactly to the same
effect
Going a little further Mr.. Fassett
said that the present reciprocity meas
ure now before the House would De
Taft victory, If victory came ana
would not be a Clark victory now
ever solidly' the Democrats stood To-
gether.
THE pressure of the united Demo
Gratis and Republicans will make
combination that will roll over ali OF
U.s." he added.
At any rate the point has been raised
whether the President or Champ
Clark Is the real leader of the present
reciprocity movement, a movement
which now threatens to embrace az
South American countries and those OF
Central America as well.
Clark Member of Cabinet.
Mr.. Clark called at the White House
this morning. He came half an hour
after Mr.. Fassett had gone. Some oil
his friends Immediately surrounded him
and put the question squarely to him:
Are you following the Administration
on reciprocity
NO" said the next Speaker. The Ad-
ministration has come over to US.
With that he went into the Presidents,
office. AS he came out he said. smiling,
that he had been taken by courtesy into
the Presidents Cabinet He said the
Administration had lately become good
enough Democrats to fraternize with.
He added that he was sorry that he
could not stay longer with the depart
ment heads.
Gen. Leonard Wood. Chief of STAFF of
the Army, called at the Executive Of
fees this morning and said as he left
that the situation from a military
standpoint was satisfactory at Ell Paso
He said troops were quartered on the
border to protect the irrigation dam
just across the line from depredations.
Further than this, he said the troops
had nothing to do.
Lodge Is Hopeful.
While at the White House. this morn
ing, Senator Lodge said he felt more
hopeful over the chances of getting a
vote on the tariff commission bill which
he has fathered in the Senate. He said
the only question about its passage was
the shortness of the time Night ses-
sions undoubtedly would be necessary
he added.
The President held a conference TODAY
with Senators Burton and Dick OF Ohio
1t is understood the Ohio judgeship WAS
considered, though both Senators de-
clined to affirm the report. Senator
Burton said he did not see how either
the tariff board bill or the reciprocity
measure would get through without an
extra session.
If John Hays Hammond is to 60 as
special American ambassador to the
coronation of King George, no an
nouncement of the fact was given out
at the White House today. 1t was stat
ed on the other hand that no decision
had been reached, and that no state
ment had been authorized bearing on
the matter. 1t was generally under
stood that President Taft would give
this honor to former Vice President
Fairbanks.