The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-03
success.
Bryan Satisfied.


Bryan Satisfied.
Tine Democrats of the House got
flying start by their splendid work in
yesterdays caucus" said Mr.. Bryan last
night. THE most fortunate thing about
the legislative programme decided upon
is, in my opinion, the fact that every
section Of the programme IS matter
of settled Democratic policy, and a cardi-
nal principle of Democratic doctrine"
Mr.. Bryan referred in detail TO the
direct election of Senators, the publicity
Of campaign contributions, the retrench-
mcnt of government expenditures, the
reformation of methods of adminiStra-
ton in the government departments, the
admission of the Territories of Arizona
and New Mexico. and the matter of Ca
madam reciprocity. All the time that
Mr. Bryan was talking he wore Il broad
and genial smile. and was evidently in
high good humor with the ante-session
wonk of his party in Congress.
Gov. Harmon. while he would not sub
NIT TO an extended interview on the
caucus of Saturday. gave high praise to
the Democrats for the stand they had
taken with reference to patronage.
Il am glad to see" said Gov. Harmon,
that the caucus started out by cutting
down the enormous expenses of running
the House 1t is good bow to make
to the people. We did the same thing
in the Ohio legislature. where the Re
publicans had worked up the list of pages
and portcrS until il had come to be
greater than the number of members
Not only did the Democrats reduce the
list, but an agreement was made TO keep
the number down, and not allow II to
he increa sed gradually by the addition
h4- md
Gov. Harmon suggested that now that
the Democrats had reduced the patron
age by 100 jobs and s1S2,09o a year, they
should be mighty careful to see to it
that the totals were kept down and not
permitted to creep back again to the old
level.
No Comment on Reciprocity.
Concerning the outlook for reciprocity
and general tariff legislation, Gov. Har-
man would not comment Nor would he
discuss his Presidential boom, which,
judging from the enthusiasm of Ohio
Democrats, is extremely vigorous. He
did deny that there was "any particular
significance in his visit to Washington
at this time. Gov. Harmon is to appear
before the Supreme Court as attorney
for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.
gathered last night the one big topic of
discussion was with reference TO the
tariff programme. Now that the Demo-
cratic caucus has settled the session pre-
liminaries and gone on record as to
general programme. this proposition re-
mains up in the air.
The Ways and Means Democrats have
spent a good deal of time discussing
Canadian reciprocity and whether it
shall be enacted as a single proposition |
or carry other tariff schedules along with |
it. Some Democrats-not members of
the Ways and Means Committee, how
that the majority party |
would not play into President Taft's |
hands by enacting reciprocity legislation |
right off the bat, but would turn the |
tables and make good political capital |
cut of the extra session.
That is, they pointed out, ii might be |
good policy to shove the wool and cot |
ton schedules and whatever other sched- |
ules a caucus may decide to take up, |
ahead of reciprocity. 1t is known that a |
faction thinks the reciproc-
fty bill should have the schedules at |
tached Still others believe that each |
bill should contain but a single subject. |
From frank statements made by MEM
bers of the Ways and Means Commit
tee, it seems quite certain that no def
mite decision has been reached by them
as to the manner in which the tariff
shall be handled in the House. When
they do decide. the proposition will be put
up to a party caucus. In order to avoid
any semblance of dictation, the Demo-
cratic leaders propose to call a caucus
whenever they think 1t necessary, and
let the consensus Of opinion rule.
Cause of Probable Strife.
o. f..+,,-a ~ fha peneraI leoisIotive
agreed upon by the caucus
would appear to be full Of
dynamite That is, the stipulation that
legislation for the admission of Arizona
md New Mexico shall be in order at the
special session. Mr.. Bryan and his fol-
overs In the House are enthusiastically
n favor of this legislation at the ear
lest possible moment. So far as it is
bof fla< Nasaux IL