The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-15
Wonder What Democrats
Are Going to Do
PALMER BIG FIGURE
His Intimacy With Wilson and Ma
tional Ability Sure to Make Him
Conspicuous Figure In the
Next House
Nv cE STEWART

washington, November l4--Nopeelal'-
1t IS certainly a cause of great mental
anxiety to the leftover bunch of the re-
publican party and the republican papers
in the country, just what is going to hap
pen and just how tile democrats are going
to run things when they finally get hold
of affairs.
They are constantly seeing scarecrows
and great obstacles in the way of sue
cess for their successful opponents, in the
operation of governmental bureaus, de-
partments and the successful carrying out
of the Baltimore platform when it comes
to legislation. William j. Bryan rather
handed 1t to them the other day, how
ever, when he told them to Just go ahead
and worry all they wanted to. The demo-
Gratis" said Mr. Bryan, have been wor-
rying over the way you did things. now
soa worry while over what are
going to do. 1t won't hurt YOU.
Canot Be misunderstanding
The pledges to the American people in
the democratic platform are so broad and
comprehensive that there cannot be any
misunderstanding as to what they stand
for, and the craftsmanship of President
Wilson. and the skill an experience of
the leaders in the House of Representa-
tves, while they may be put TO the
crucial test in enacting the laws that will
in both letter and spirit redeem these
campaign pledges, no one in the party is
fearful of the result. President Wilson
has repeatedly said both prior and since
his election that honest and legitimate
business need have no fear of his admins
tration, and it has had soothing effect
upon the industrial nerves of the country,
and legitimate business does not Tear
him. The republican papers, however,
have entirely, many of them at least, mis-
construed the real meaning of the Presi-
dent-elect, taking this statement to mean
that there will be no legislation on the
tariff, at least not Immediately, and that
legislation when enacted will be of such
nature as not to disturb business. The
latter clause is correct, if what the lead
ers say is to be relied upon, the changes
in the tariff laws are going to be grad
ually and conservatively made, until the
ultimate end of tariff for revenue only is
obtained.
Mr.. Underwood recently had confer
enca with Mr.. Wilson at which doubtless
the subject of the tariff was discussed
from every angle. 1t was after this con-
ference that Mr.. Wilson gave out his as
surance to the industries OF the country
that they need not suffer imaginary
alarms.
Mr. Underwood believes in tariff re-
form In accordance with the declarations
of the platform, and While there may be
different interpretations as to precisely
what the plank means, it is believed that
the bills passed by the House during the
last session, with a few notifications per-
haps, will stand for the views of Mr.. I'm
derwood, and those who will be charged
with the framing of the tariff laws for the
next administration.
The report that Speaker Clark will not
warm up to the administration. and that
the defeat he suffered at Baltimore still
Tankles in his bosom, and so much so that
he will not be in harmony with the White
House has been cast aside as idle gossip.
Speaker Clark has made it known that he
Is In hearty sympathy with Mr.. Wilson
and that the new administration will have
a warm supporter in him If he Is the
spealker of the next House of Representa-
tives. and there seems to be no doubt hut
what he will be. :, III there is TO be any
real opposition toAspeaker Clark continu-
A ing id the chair during the Sixtythird
congress there is no evidence of it so
far here.
Palmer to Be Big Figure
A. Mitchell Palmer of Pennsylvania is
expected to take rank in the Sixty-third
Congress along with the other big leaders
of the House, Mr.. Palmer stands very
strongest supporters in Baltimore, and be
sides that he is conspicuous figure in
Congress anyway. and with the friendship
of the President and enjoying his copfi-
dence as he does, he will undoubtedly be
a power. Palmer viii take a permanent
stand among the real leaders of the House
such as Clark, Underwood, Burleson,
Kitchen, Clayton, Fitzgerald, Sherley and
Hay and others of that type-who have
won regulations for constructive states
manship
There has been some talk of the $40
wings OF the republican party making an
attempt to get back together. 1t was sug-
gested that the leaders might be able ia
pacify and harmonic matters and reor-
ganize the two wings into one fighting ma
chine, particularly In the Senate to OPP
pose their old and common enemy and to
defeat If possible the programme of the
democrats. or at least retard it as much
as possible. This plan, however, will
doubtless be abandoned after the state
ment OF Senator PoindeXter. Noicing the
y,roeressive sentiments. he declared that
hereafter he intended to erase the name
republican from his title and call him.
self a progressive. and would decline to
confer or caucus with republican senators
as a body If this is the altitude of the
other progressives, and from reports II
seems TO be, there will be two minority
parties in the Senate. The movement for
harmony however. 1t is said. origi-
mated by Senator Crmmns himself a pro-
gressive, but who does not want to go as
FAR as Senator Poindexter and read him
self out of the republican party.
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