The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-28
Closer Cooperation Be-
tween Executive and
Congress Desired
VICE PRESIDENT MAY
SIT WITH CABINET
Incoming President and Vice President
Both in Hearty Accord With Pro-
posed Legislative Policies.
Pays Tribute to Marshall

Trenton. n J., February 27.--Two
precedents looking toward closer CO.
operation between the executive and
legislative branches of the government
may be established under the admin
istration of President woodrow Will
son. The one would permit the vice
president of the United States to sit
for the first time in the cabinet coun-
ellis Of the President. and the other
would find the chief executive fire.
quently at the capitol building, phys
icaily in closer touch with members of
the House and Senate.
Discussion of the latter innovation
came to Mr.. wilson's attention today
when a magazine article related that
the President-elect had said he would
spend some time daily in the Presi-
dents room at the capitol, used hith-
erto only when the President signed
or vetoed eleventh hour acts of an ex-
piring Congress. Talk of the other
change in presidential customs was re-
yived when former Governor Marshall
of Indiana, the vice president-elect
visited Mr.. Wilson today at the state
house.
Legislative Policies
Legislative policies, including the
programme for the extra session, party
pledges. the personnel of the cabinet
and number Of intima te details of
the coming administration were dis
cussed after which the announcement
came from both men that they were in
hearty accord The President elect
paid high tribute to Mr.. Marshall and
said very frankly that his friendship
and acquaintance with Mr.. Marshalls
ability were such that he expected TO
consult him freely
Mr.. Wilson did not say whether this
close relationship with the vice presi-
dent might ultimately mean extending
a seat in the cabinet chamber to him
He indicated both with respect to
his idea and TO the one thai he might
ie lauec of his time az Gle cifsuol
building that he would decide things
of this kind after he reached WASH
ington and was in a better position to
determine the eXpediency of such
changes.
we went over the ground complete
ly,' said the President-elect. discuss
ing his long conference with Mr.. Mar
shall. II asked him what Impressions
he got in the country at large as to
the state of the people. We also talked
of the principles of the party" He
paused and added with laugh:
To Compare Notes
1--WE compared notes-or rather ig-
norances-as to what we personally are
to do when we get to Washington as
neither of us has had much experience
there"
Mr.. Wilson said he had not discussed
with Mr. Marshall the prospect of hay
ing him sit in the cabinet. lie was
asked whether Mr.. Marshall frequently
would be consulted on administration
policies.
"As close and intimate friend" an
swered Mr.. Wilson, II would naturally
consult him in such matter. Some OF
our vice presidents have been among the
leading men of the country Some have
played large part in the nations af-
fairs. Mr.. Marshall is very heartily in
sympathy with me and wants to CO.
operate in every possible way"
The President-elect said he had been
anxious for conference with Mr.. Mar
shall for some time, but he did not
want to interrupt the vacation of the
vice president-elect in Arizona.
II wanted Mr. Marshall to know
added the President-elect. Gust what is
in my mind. He has a very stimulating
way of putting things and speaks in the
vernacular so that you can get at ex-
actly what he means
Mr.. Wilson referred also to the 'un-
commonly generous support that Mr..
Marshall had given him ever since the
Baltimore convention.
Meeting Informal
The meeting of the TWO standard bear
ers of the democratic party was as IN
formal as 1t was nconspicuous. Few
people were at the state house today.
The governor really ended his work yes
terday. The vice president-e elect sat
with the governor chatting and telling
stories. When Mr.. Marshall left the
President-elect escorted him to the outer
door of, the state house, courtesy
which he has heretofore never extended
to his visitors.
Mr. Marshall had little to say
Everything the governor, said met
with my approval remarked Mr.. Mar
shall. "and | am in accord with every
thing that he finally viii propose to the
people. He expressed his views to me,
but | found they have been my views for
years.
Democratic leaders discussed the report
ed plan of Mr.. Wilson to have the vice
president sit with the cabinet with re-
luctance, though many seemed to favor it,
|. IF President Wilson wishes to come to
the capitol and advise with Congress. he
will be Welcomed said Senator OGor-
man. 1.-THE closer the President and Con-
gress can get in the transaction of pub
lie business, the better it will be- said
Senator Pomerene of Ohio His express
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Contlnucd ON Page NIne)