Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-09
Statement is MADE
BY PRESIDENT IN LETTER
News Greatly Pleases Members of
Majority in the House.
AFFECTS RECIPROCITY ACTION
Democrats Can Take Up Matter of
Canadian Pact First Without
Fear Of Congress Being
Prorogued.


According to leading democrats OF the
fouse OF Representatives President Taft
VIII not. under any circumstances end
the Special session OF Congress Repre-
sentative Burleson OF Texas declared
yesterday that President Taft had made
this fiat statement over his own sigma
ture. He did not say when the letter
had been written or 10 whom, but was
positive as far as the declaration Of in
tent was concerned.
The majority party in the lower branch
OF Congress is naturally very much
pleased as a result OF the Presidents de-
cision. 1t means that II the Canadian
reciprocity proposition is made the first
thing on the democratic program. passed
by the House. sent to the Senate and
there enacted into law, President Taft
Will not exercise his constitutional pre-
rogative OF forcibly disbanding the ma
tional legislature as soon as the work for
which he called It together in extra ses-
Sion has been done.
President Taft, IL appears. has not the
falntest intention OF endeavoring to play
politics OF doubtful propriety. While 1t
is true that he called the Congress to-
gether for the specific purpose OF having
w.
is understood he does not consider IL
would be wise in political sense 10 ex-
ercise the power OF ending the special
session.
Party's Course Simplified.
There is no question that democratic
fears have been greatly allayed and the
future course of the party immensely
simplifed by the Presidents announce
ment. While some members OF the ma
Jorlty party in the House have claimed
to know just what was going to be done
and when. it is a fact nevertheless, that
the ways and means committee, which,
since the removal OF power from the
Speaker. controls the destinies OF the
BODY, has not, as yet agreed upon q
legislative program in detail The mem
bers have talked things over, of COURSE
Some have urged that the best evidence
OF democratic good faith would be the
speedy passage of the reciprocity bill. to
which the party is committed, and that
after this has been done. other legislative g
propositions would then be in order
Others contend that the passage of the
reciprocity measure by the Senate and
the House. granting that the Senate falls
into line and registers its approval of the
measure, would leave the two branches
squabbling bitterly over the date of ad-
journment, with the power of the pro
rogue In the hands Of a republican Presi-
desired from the special session, would
not be in the humor to spend the best
part OF Sweltering summer in Wash
lngton merely to further the ends and
aims Of the opponents of his political
faith.
Now comes this letter from President
Taft-to whom written il is not said
which eliminates the democratic fear
of an involuntary adjournment This is
expected to clear the air and the demo-
cratic caucus. which is to be held next
week, is expected to have no difficulty
in agreeing on a legislative program for
the session.
Up to date the following are under
stood. on the best authority, to be the
principal features Of the legislative pro-
gram for the special session favored by
a large majority. OF the House democrats
in the order in which IL has been pro
posed to take them up:
The election of United States senators
by direct vote Of the people.
Amendment of the recently enacted law
with reference to the publicity of cam
paign contributions, SO as to provide for
publicity before, as well as after, national
elections.
Ratification OF the constitutions Of
Arizona and New Mexico.
Canadian reciprocity.
Revision of the wooden and cotton
schedules of the present tariff law.
Placing on the free list, or greatly re-
ducing the customs duties on. about 100
articles CO1HD11SSu III d llsu VI the NeAcS-
Saries OF life
Now however. as a result OF the letter
reported to have been written by Pree-
dent Taft and over which the democrats
BILE that Canadian reciprocity may be
taken up in the House the first thing
and the other subjects In the order In
which they have been named above.
The democrats themselves. while Will
ing to acquire from the extra session all
the credit that can possibly be obtained.
still are anxious to avoid the charge %
playing questionable politics by unduly
delaying action on the reciprocity bill.
which died in the republican Senate last
session after il had been showed through
the House by a minority of the then re-
publican majority. supplemented by prac-
tically the entire democratic strength.
Situation Delicate One.
Champ Clark and the other democrats
leaders who seemed to have gained in
wisdom Of late as they have gained in
authority feel that il would not do To
flirt too much with the people of the
country on this reciprocity proposition.
merely with the idea of digging still
deeper the pit into which the divided ana
disgruntled republicans tumbled last No
vember. They appreciate that the situa-
tion is one to be handled with extreme
care, and whatever action is taken with
on the legislative program will have the
approval Of the entire House democracy,
in caucus assembled.
The decision Of this caucus with refer
ence to the legislative program is admit
ted to be the most momentous question
the democrats will have to tackle between
now and December. II will amount to a
declaration Of principles which will at
tract the attention of the entire country
and the attempted carrying out of which
will be watched with the closest interest
The drift of political thought, the sta
bility of business and many other great
questions await solution through the
manner in which the democratic party.
half i'm power I'm Congress. initiates its
solution of the complex prob
lems confronting it. II IL is demon
strated to the caucus that President Taft
has let il be known that he Will not eX-
erc!se the power of the prorogue, then IL
is reasonably certain that Canadian reci-
procity will be the first business to which
attention is given. II doubt on this sub
ject perplexes the caucus IL Is admitted
that consideration of the reciprocity ques-