The Washington times., 1913-02-03
WILSON MAY DECIDE
FATE OF SIK:YEAR
PRESIDENTIAL TERN
Bryan Is Also Suspected as One
of Men Who May UntangIe
knotty Problem.

President-eIect Wilson probbaly will
say the word which will dei srmine the
fate of the six-year-term resolution in
the House. William J. Bryan, now at
Miami. may also have little advice TO
give such House leaders as Chairman
Henry. of the Rules Committee. who Is
going to be asked for a special rule to
make privileged the Senate resolution
increasing the term of the President to
six years. and making him Ineligible
for reelection
The House leaders are up in the air
over the knotty problem. and an infor-
mai conference of Democratic chief
tains will be held early this week.
1t is generally argued that the six
year-term resolution adopted by the
Senate would increase Wilson'S term
two years, provided the constitutional
amendment were ratified during the first
four years of office: Some of the Demo-
Gratis in the House think the President
elect ougES to be consulted about six
year instead of a possible eight-year
tenure of offiee;.' others believe the en-
tire matter should. go over until the
Democrats have control of the Govern
ment, and still others want to know
what william J.; Bryan thinks of IL.
Up To, Henry's Committee.
= The House situation. is really up to
the Committee on, Rules. headed by
Congressman Henry of Texas, an ard
ent Bryanite and an original Wilson
man. Bryan is committed TO a one
term propaganda, but he hasn't been
consulted on the language of the reso-
nd fOr1
TO add two years to the tenure, of Will
son. H-- -.r
Consequently. the Bryan, Clark, I'm
derwood, and Wilson Democrats in the
House are not sure what they ought to
do. and nobody is willing to predict the
substantially the Clayton resolution
which has been on the House calendar
and waiting for special rule to make
II privileged.
Chairman Henry, of the House COM
mittee, was exceedingly close-mouthed
tonight. saying that the question is a
very serious one and that he would
have to consult with some of the party
leaders" before making a prediction rs
10 the probable action of the Rules
Committee. 1t is safe TO say that Mr..
Henry WIN not act in contravention of
he is also extremely likely to ask Bryan
question or so.
Resolutions Not New.
The Clayton six-year- resolution
has been on the House calendar for
months. 1t is known that Mr.. Clayton
has sought a special rule from the
Rules Committee, but Chairman Henry.
hasn't been enthusiastic over the sub
jeefl Clayton resolution
agrees in substance with that adopted
by the Senate yesterday. and full re-
sponsibility for the ene-term movement
has been shifted to the House
The Clayton resolution was reported
unanimously from the House judiciary
Committee, to which the Senate resolu-
ton will go. Unless the judiciary Com
mittee has changed its mind. or the
House Democrats agree to pass up the
Presidential term fight for this session,
IL VIII be easy to substitute the Senate
resolution for that reported by Chair
man Clayton, and, If the Rules Com
mittee will act, there. may be a vote at
this session.
Mr. Clayton said today:
M attitude on the question is re-
1ected in my resolution reported during
The last session. 1t was placed on tho
consent calendar and Con-
rressman Cooper of Wisconsin object
ed to its consideration. II cannot he
reacned WITHOUT SI'ec1al rule, which
we have obtained ] do not know
what will be the outcome now that
the Senate has adopted a resolution
substantially similar to mine The Ju-
dietary Committee made a uninimous
report on my resolution last year"
May Amend Measure.
Mr.. Clayton was recently quoted as
saying that his resolution might be
amended in the House 10 provide spe-
officially for a six-year term for Wood
row Wilson, and the construction put
upon the Senate resolution now brings
The President-elect one step nearer 10
a heightened tenure OF office.
The storm center of the Presidential
Term fight will hereafter be in tho
rules committee. the members of which
have trouble of their own, including a
demand for special rute to bring up
the Renyon-Webb bill prohibiting the
shipment OF liquor into dry territory.
1t is known that the committee seeks
20 sidestep the prohibition issue. but
IL the gates are let down for the six
year term resolution-and they will be
IL Mr.. Wilson gives the word-the men,
bers of the committee will face fur
ther embarrassment.