The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-12-23
Policy of April Session
OF Congress is Outlined

fdent. AS several men who were in
the past distinguished in national re-
publican councils We're at that time
guests of Mr.. Ryan. former Senator
Nelson ". .Aldr!ch being one. the
presence Of these men served as a
suficient answer to the intimation
that Mr.. Ryan as host hoped To par-
ticipate in the formulation Of A dem-
oeratic legislative policy. Not until
his morning has it been possible to
obtain an authoritative recount OF the
discussions which took place at Mr..
Ryan's table. OF course. it is no, pos
slole to quote what the guests said.
since the dinner Was private. and. in
one sense. informal. Whatever they.
said at table vas regarded as conf.
dental. at least so far as their iden.
uty with the remarks was concerned.
Policy is Discussed.
II Was natural enough that some Of
the republican guests Of Mr.. RYAN
should ask some of the democratic
leaders who took part In that dinner
what. i'll their opinion. expressed in
general terms. would be the policy
adopted ny the democratic majority
at the special session of congress. The
answer were freely and frankly Civ
en-. They were regarded BY republic
cans who We're present as CONTAINING
the best forecast Of the democratic
legislation possible at this tim. 10
make.
One OF the distinguished leaders
spoke With great frankness in saying
that he wal persuaded that the coun-
try would discover while the special
session Of congress was in progress
that the great body of Democratic
leadership has A keen realization of
the material conditions now prevail
ing throughout the United States. and
mat IT VIII be the purpose Of these
leaders to do nothing which will serve
TO impair confidence and PROSPERITY
The remark was made bv one ~
the guests that there was no democrat
IN congress of intelligence. experience
and ability sufficient to justify esteem.
ing him as a leader who did not fully
realize and appreciat. that Presiden,
Taft is TO retire in March. at a time
OF abundant and almost Unparalleled
business activity. The democratic
leaders also know that the promise
OF the future is for even greater
things than the Prosperity even nov
visible. Furthermore. 1t is fully re-
allied that it is without precedent that
there should be a change in national
administration at a time of wonderful
national prosperity such as is now
in progress.
Radical Schemes Oustcd.
Therefore, the democratic leader
ship involves a Legislative. policy
which will tend to increase this pros
perity. That leadership will suppress
attempted radical legislation. 1t will
not permit harc.brained. il-digested
and violently radical schemes even to
be discussed in either house of on
gress so far az it is possible to pre-
vent agitation OF hat kind.
Another OF the democratic leaders
outlined what h." thought would be the
outcome Of II meeting Of the new.
congress in special session next spring.
In the first place. he felt convinced
that there would be no radical revis-
ion Of the tariff. Such change Of
schedules as the new measure will
authorize will be the result OF careful
consideration. and in any event will
consist Of no great reductions. He
believes that the country will be per-
suaded. while the tariff is under dis
cussion. that business interests have
nothing to e from the revision Of
the tariff.
In the mex place, this leader pre-
dicted that congress would not at
tempt to amen the Sherman anti
trust law. at least in such manne as
to make 1t more drastic than 1t now
is. The intelligent democratic lead
ershin believes h a the Sherman law
is now as perfect as any statute wnIch
aims to control the evils at which the
Sherman law was aimed can possibly
be.
In the mex place. the democratic
leaders are persuaded that congress
will in all probability at the special
session pass legislation by which our
banking and currency system will he
satisfactorily amended. Whether this
be done or not will depend upon the
recommendations which President
Wilson will make when issuing a proc
lamation summoning congress into cx-
~traordinary session. But II nothing
be done at the special session. it. IL
at the regular session, which begins
in December Of next year, wise and
adequate notifications Of our banking
and currency laws will be adopted.
The democratic leaders are satisfied
that the country as =, whole liz not only
ready but anxious that u banking
and currency systems he perfected
provided that can be one in such
manner az to make it impossible foi
any group or groups Of capital to Sc.
cure undue control Of banking cash
and credit.
Defeat is F%,Orcscen.
These statements were, Of course
no than the opinions OF mer
who felt that they might express then
in the confidence of a social g;,shering
and to men who in politics had beer
in opposition to them. The remark
was made that should this policy b.
adopted the democratic party ma,
reasonably hope for national contro
extending Over a considerable period
On the other hand. 1t was frankl.
admitted by some Of the democrati,
leaders that if. by reason Of the atti
tndc Of the democracy toward husi
ness interests. there should come
sethark. impairment Of confidence o
Generalization then. &c surel1. Al olec