Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-28
WILSON |NFAVOR
Of PRIMARY BILL
President Confers With Repre-
sentative Britten, Reiterat-
ing His Views.
FURTHER CONSIDERATION
OF CURRENCY PROBLEM
Edward L. Howe, Princeton Banker.
Among Those to Call at
the White House.

To Representative Britten OF Illinois.
author OF a JOINT resolution to amend
the Constitution SO as to provide for
the nomination O. presidential candi-
dates by preference primaries and their
direct election by the people in the
November following. thus doing away
with presidential electors and an cleo
tcral college. President Wilson today
reiterated views heretofore expressed
in favor of both primary choice for the
presidency and afterward election by
the people direct.
The President, however did not so
into details as to his views and did
not indorse any particular bill or prof.
oct. simply commencing Representative
Britten for his efforts to try to give
the people closer connection with the
choice of President and Vice President.
Mr. Brittens bill would do away with
national political conventions entirely ex
cept as medium of presenting to the
people the platforms of the candidates
nominated in the primaries The bill
provides that the different states shall
certify the results of the primaries to the
Secretary of State. who will certify the
nominations of candidates for President
and Vice President who receive a plural
ity of the votes cast in the primaries.
Provides Six-Year Term.
Mr.. Britten's bill also proposes that the
President shall be limited to a term of
six years and shall be ineligible for re-
election President Wilson did not dis
cuss this feature of the bill with Mr..
Britten. the latter said. the representa-
tive having called to enlist if possible.
the aid of the President i'm behalf of the
proposition for primaries and direct cleo
ton. He found the President In SYM
pathy with these things he said.
Il would not ask the President to talk
about a six-year term. in view of the
Baltimore convention platform deciara-
ton for four years, said the Chicago
statesman.
Mr.. Brtten obtained from the Presi-
dent promise to write a cheering mes
sage that will open the Olympic contests
in Chicago June ~. This message will
start from Washington some time in ad-
vance of that date. and will be relayed
by Boy Scouts and Y. NJ. G. 4. members
from Washington to chicago. all the
way by foot The message will be direct
ed to the director general of the big attn
letic meet and will be an encoura cement
for clean and manly athletics Upon the
reading of the Presidents letter the pro-
gram of athletic exercises will begin.
President Discusses Currency.
President Wilson continued to dis
cuss currency matters today spending
half an hour with Edward l.. Howe. a
Princeton banker. who has long been
his personal friend. This afternoon at
o'clock the President began con-
ference with Secretary McAdoo on the
proposed currency bill and number
of appointments pending in the Treas
urN.z .Recomme ndstions for Treasury
places have been slow in going to the
White House and there has been much
kicking from democrats in all di
rections over the 'slowness in getting
the patronage they felt they were en-
titled to.
The President will begin dictation of his
currency message to Congress in a few
days. 1t is understood that he will go
more into detail in his recommendations
on this subject than he has on other mat
tiers he has taken up with Congress.
The President and the democratic lead
ers, who are consulting with him, are
trying to get together on measure that
who will be chairman of the House COM
mittee on banking and currency. has a
bill. Senator Owen Of the Senate COM
mittee on banking and currency is to
have another.
Secretary McAdoo has views. as have
others prominent in administration cir
cles. including Secretary Bryan, and the
task before the President is, after rec
ommending currency legislation in his
special message. to adjust the differ
ences and secure bill that will be
satisfactory TO House and Senate demo-
Gratis. 1t is for the purpose of inform
ing himself thoroughly on currency mat
tcrs. so that he may adjust these differ
ences with intelligence. that the Pres-
dent is consulting men who are sup
posed to be experts in their line. Be-
sides his conferences he is receiving
valuable suggestions by letter.