Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-04-09
Senate and House Gather in
Hall Of Representatives at
National Capital 10 Hear ADJ
dress From Chief Executive,
WELFARE OF COUNTRY
REASON FOR CHANGE
Tariff Sole Topic and Free
Trade is Feature Of First Of
ficlaI Communication DeIlv-
cred TO Congress,

tBy Morning Journal Special Leased wire.l
Washington. April 8. - President
Woodrow Wilson hridged today the
gap that for over century has sepa-
rated the executive and legislative
branches of the government.
Not as cog In a machine. not as
AN lmpersonal political entity. nor as
"a mere department OF government
| but as the human president. he went
TO congress 60 speak about the tariff.
Standing before the senate and
house OF representatives. In Joint ses-
sion as no other president had done
for more than hundred and twelve
years. President Wilson stated simply
and tersely what he thought should
he done for the welfare Of the coun-
Try and asked his legislative col
leagues. man TO man, 10 aid in keep
Ing the pledges Of their party.
with sweep OF decision that shat
tered precedent. the president brushed
aside all imaginary boundaries he
tween congress and the executive Of
/ flee and rescued himself. as he ex-
pressed II. from that isolated island
OF Jealous authority which the presi-
ldency had come 90 be regarded
Congress. somewhat startled the
lother day when Il heard that the pres
ident had determined 20 deliver his
message on the tariff by word OF
mouth had prepared for q ceremony
Of unusual importance, and such II
was: yet when President Wilson ar
lrivcd In the midst Of the great throngs
lof cheerlnp people in the streets. and
later looking up into galleries crowded
with privileged ticket holders, he
seemed after all what he said he was
"a human heing trying to cooperate
| with other human beings in com
mon service"
when the much-heralded incident
was over congress seemed pleased and
the president was delighted. He ex-
pressed himself to friends as impress
ed with the dignity Of the occasion,
and some Of his confldants later de-
alared that he left the capitol greatly
relieved to think that. after all, his
Notwithstanding had not been such
a eataclysmic thing as some older
heads had predicted.
The presidents visit to the capitol
was brief. lasting about quarter OF
an hour Leaving a cabinet meeting
at the White House. he started on his
mission at 12:45 o'clock. No one ex-
cept secret service man accompn-
MED him. He rode in a white House
automobile. and five minutes later
was driven through the crowds ass
sembled about the house wing OF the
capitol. At 1854 he reached Speaker
Cmrks room, Just off the house cham
her. whore Joint committee of SEN
ators and representatives. welcomed
him. They we're Senators Kern, Ba-
con and Gallinger and Representa-
tves Underwood, Palmer and Mann.
The president spoke 10 each for mo-
ment and was informed that the sem
ate and house awaited him. lie said
he was ready and the committee Inn
medlatclv started for the door Of the
house chamber.
At two minutes before I o'clock the
president entered the chamber. Mean
while the house and senate rose as
speaker Clark brought down the
gavel From the floor and galleries
distinguished guests looked on at the
scene
President Wilson, escorted by SEN
ator Bacon, bowed acknowledgment
TO the applause ana mounted the
speakers stand TO the journal clerks
desk directly in front Of the speaker
with a smile, as he began TO speak
the president told his hearers why he
had come. He said he was glad TO
verify for himself the impression that
the president Of the United States was
a person. He was speaking In an
ordinary tone of voice, just as though
he were talking to senator In his
office. Every eye was fixed upon
him as he spoke, ana it was instantly
apparent that he had aroused the
keenest interest
AS the president proceeded with his
statement. avorrlng that
he was not a mere department OF goyr
ernment but human, and that he had
come to speak naturally with his fell
low men, the interest was tense
after this pleasant experience
the president declared, II shall feel
quite normal in all our dealings with
one another"
AS those words fell from the pres
dents lips, the house and senate ap-
plauded Then the gallery Joined in
Mrs Wilson and the presidents
and other relatives joined
from the executive gallery
Where few moments before the
event had seemed unusual almost un
real it now appeared perfectly ad
lustcd to conditions and not az all
The applause subsidlns, the presl-
lent began to read his brief message
IN the tariff He spoke slowly and
'orcefully and in less than eight min
utes he was done. No Interruption