The Washington herald., 1911-02-22
AN EXTRA SESSION
Is STILL PROBABLE
President Beholds the Signal
to Call One March 15.
RECIPROCITY Is UP TO SENATE
Riddle of What that Body Will Do
Is at Least PerpIexing-MiddIe
West Hears story of Administra-
tion in Argentina's Deal with
America in Dreadnoughts.

The possibility OF an extra session of
Congress appears to have stamped itself
into the mind of President Taft sufficient
ly for him to determine just about when
the session shall be called. He is still
hopeful that the reciprocity measure will
be passed promptly by the Senate and
that there will be no need to call the
legislators back. However. if the worst
happens, they can look for the signal
to meet again about March Is
President Taft said yesterday he had
no intention Of giving up his visit to
Atlanta on March 10. and that'f there
was to be an extra session of Congress
it would have to wait until after that
event.
The impression Is given at the White
House that the President has sown what
seed he can in regard to his reciprocity
agreement and can now do little beyond
hope for results from the Senate What
the chances are OF getting a vote in that
body, the President himself does not
know. Conflicting reports apparently
have reached him jpst as they have
reached nearly every one who has tried
to solve the riddle of what the Senate
will do and whether it will invite an ex-
ira session.
The Tariff Commissfon.
President Taft is still hopeful of seeing
something accomplished in regard to the
tariff commission measure in the Senate
He has heard of much opposition to the
bill, but feels that much of II may dis
appear in the course of time. He has
been informed that Senator Lodge will
endeavor to call the measure up for ac-
ton.
Word reached the House from the Mid
die West yesterday that somewhat SEN
sational charges against the administra-
ton had been published there. it being
alleged that the government had turned
over to Argentina the plans of Ameri-
can Dreadnaughts in return for orders to
build battle ships at shipyards in this
country. 1t was not denied that the gov
ernment of Argentina had been allowed
to use the plans of certain United States
vessels in the construction of ships whose
keels were recently laid in this country.
There was sharp comment on the part OF
the President however, concerning in
situations that the plan Injured in reality
to private shipbuilding concerns. He in
timated that there were often allegations
of that nature when one nation tried to
exchange courteSies with another, but
they invariably came from feather
headed" individuals.
1t was learned yesterday that Presi-
dent Taft hopes 10 retain Secretary Nor
ton in service at the White House until
July l. Mr.. Norton has been asked to
remain, pending the search for a new
secretary. The President admitted yes
terday that several persons were being
considered.
Dawson II Mentioned.
The probability of Congressman Daw-
son accepting the executive secretaryship
was strongly played in news stories
and gossip yesterday. Mr.. Dawson re-
tires from Congress of his own volition
on March 4 1t has been understood he
would engage in banking Many friends
of Mr.. Dawson said yesterday he would
not accept the appointment. BY Mr..
Dawson and the White House authori-
ties. the story was left dangling in
the air.
Assistant Secretary Rudolph Forster
looked after the affairs of the Presi-
dent yesterday, Secretary Norton having
gone to Chicago.