The Washington times., 1911-04-21
PRESIDENT MAKES
FINAL. APPEAL FOR
' RECIPROCITY BILL
His Plea to Republican
Representatives Only
Partly Successful.
EXECUTIVE FEARS
FOR HIS PARTY
Sees Political Misfortune If Demo-
Gratis Get Credit for Pass
ing Treaty.

President Taft spent two hours this
morning before the Cabinet met urging
members OF his party in the House to
support the reciprocity bill when 1t
comes to a vote this afternoon or to-
morrow.
HecalIed in no less than a dozen
members of the House and pointed out
to them the necessity from a political
and economic standpoint of the Re-
publican members falling into line and
supporting the Administration.
This missionary work was only partly
effective. Three or four Representa-
that they did not propose to change
their positions on this measure Just to
accommodate the President. They said
that they had their constituents to
think of and that it was more impor-
tant to them to please these constitu-
ents than to please the Administration.
Taft Warns Republicans.
The President told the Congressman
whom he called in that it would be a
political misfortune if the Democrats
got all the glory for passing the reci-
procitv bill. He indicated that as the
matter now stands the bill will be
carried by Democrats, and that the
Republican party will lose all credit for
this achievement in tariff revision.
Then, too, the President wants his own
party to support his program in the
House for the effect it will have on the
Senate. Unless the Republicans are
found on the side of the present bill
in the House. an excuse will be given
the members of that party IN the Sem
ate to oppose the bill when it gets into
that body.
As in the last Congress, the President
fears the vote in the Senate on his bill.
.i.ar.g aTr.1.- ,l,g,
he can command majority for the
bill, but he does not know what un-
fOreseen obstacles may arise to its pass
age in that body. He, therefore, wants
all the preliminary support he can get
fog it,
Two of the Congressman who called
today and who have been opposed to
reciprocity will, it is now expected by
the President, vote for it, One of them
is Representative Driscoll, of New York
The other is Representative Wood, of
New Jersey.
Senator Smith Backs 0'Brien.
Senator Smith, of Michigan, was at
the White House, and it is understood
that he is supporting Ambassador
O'Brien now at Tokyo for the post at
Berlin in the place of Dr. David j.
Hill. who has resigned. If Mr.. O'Brien
is given the mission, it is very likely
that Assistant Secretary of State Hun
tingtOn Wilson Will go to Japan.
II was said at the White House today
that the diplomatic shake-up which will
taken place in a few days, details of
which have just come out, is only the
beginning of a general transfer Of dip
lomatiC agents now in the service.
Others, too ma Se let out entirely as
was Minister l-. ce at Norway. The
changes decide pom are:
/. s. Swenst now at Switzerland,
goes TO Norway V. Morgan, now at
Paraguay and uguay, goes to Por-
tugal, and Henry S BOutell who was
intended for Portugal goes to Switzer-
land.
Endeavorers Invite Taft.
President Taft was today invited 20
deliver an address before the Worlds
Christian Endeavor convention to be
held in Atlantic City July to II The
invitation was extended by Senator
Crane OF Massachusetts, and the Rev.
DR. s. II. Woodrow, pastor of the First
congregational Church of this city. The
President has taken the invitation un-
der advisement, and may accept it if
Congress has adjourned in the mean-
time.
He was told today that 10000 dele
gates would attend this convention.