The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-03-10
WILSON SILENT
ON TARIFF VIEWS
House Leaders Embarrassed on.
Legislative Program
ARE WORKING IN THE DARK
Without Suggestion to Guide Them
They Are Going Ahead With Plans
Arranged Some Time Ago.


Washington, March 10.-President
Wilson's silence on his legislative pro-
gram and his failure to make known
what he will recommend or approve is
becoming oppressive to the Demo-
cratic Legislators at the capital.
Without suggestion to guide them.
the leaders are going ahead with their
plans that were arranged last spring
and before there was an election and
q change of administration
Friends of President Wilson. ex.
planning the failure of the new execu-
in his inaugural address. give It out
that President Wilson will make
known his legislative wishes and an
nounce his political policies from time
to time as he deems the necessity OF
the occasion shall demand. The legis.
lative branch of the government is to
proceed with its work along lines that
1t may decide without interference.
When something goes wrong, in, the
judgment of President Wilson, he win
make known his objection and submit
his suggestions.
His Democratic leaders do not look
with approval on this plan. They think
that 1t threatens the house organiza-
tion with all kinds of difficulties. Leg
islation in the house committees Is
matter of compromise. Those who
may be in charge and directing the
framing of bill never get all that
they are after. They must yield to-
the views Of other members Of the
committee, whether they be radical or
conservative. The same condition as
to legislation prevails In the house
after a measure has been brought
from a committee.
Two complaints against the silence
of President Wilson on important
legislative issues are most pronounced
on the part of the house leaders. One
is with reference to the impending
tariff legislation and the other with
reference to reforms in the monetary
system.
Both Of these issues were touched
on by the president IN his inaugural
address, but with respect to neither
did he suggest in detail any policy OF
legislation or any line to be followed
by the legislators in the framing Of
the new legislation. Many Democratic
members of the house and senate have
called on the president since his II
sssnzs ftinp Ssa11t Jss has not &iysn fh6m
idea Of the characl of tariff down
ward revision or OF -hanges In the
money laws that he will approve or
that he desires.
Chairman Underwood, of the ways
anu means committee, is going ahead
with the preparation of a new tariff
law, trusting that the labors of the
committee and the deliberations OF
the house and senate, with their ac.
companying results, may meet with
the approval of President Wilson.
Chairman Carter Glass, of the bank
ing and currency committee, has not
been able to get from President VIII
son an approval of monetary legisla-
tion at the approaching session OF con-
gress. Without some definite declara-
ton from President Wilson that he
wants this legislation to go hand in
hand with the tariff legislation, tr.
house leaders will not take up fnan.
cial legislation at the special session.
but permit it to rest until the genere
session. which begins next December