The Washington times., 1913-04-07

Wilson on his visit to the Capitol to-
morrow, has been mapped out. Moss
covered Congressional precedents ram
sacked today by Senate and House leaa-
-.rs resulted in the discovery of a pro-
gram for just such a reception, and
when the President goes to Congress To
personaliy deliver mis- tariff message,
ne will abide by rules which have not
been applicable TO President tor
years.
Speaker Clark and Majority Leader
Underwood, with VICE fres.uent Aiar-
shall, arranged the program uouay.
This afternoon CnarrMUuu ana other
members OF the House coInm.ttee, ap-
pointed to monty The PrssIuenl tndt
Congress is assembled. vii. receive L
formal announcement of the Pr~sidentS S
desire tc address Congress. Underwood
will return TO the hCue and introduce
a concurrent resolution assembling the
Senate and House n joint session, prob
ably at 1880 tomorrow, in the House
chamber.
Officers Will Greet Him.
The President will be asked to arrive
at the Capitol about l p. m. He will be
escorted to Speaker Clarks office and
received by the Vice President Speak
er, and other officers Of both houses.
An escort of two members will then be
appointed from the Senate and House
to escort the President to the Speakers
roStrum
Speaker Clark said today he would
probably introduce the President to the
joint session.
Senator Newlands issued a statement
today in which he declared that the
initiative taken by President Wilson
will serve to focus public opinion in
such way as to make 1t irresistible.
The power of the people through the
President as their servant will be in
creased"
Since the time of Washington and
John Adams, first and second Presi-
dents. respectively, of the United
States. no Chief Executive has carried
his own message to the legislative
branch Of the Government.
Thomas Jefferson, founder of Demo-
cracy. first adopted. in 1901, the practice
of transmitting Presidential messages to
Congress in writing" Now comes Mr..
Wilson, the latest Democratic Presi-
dent. who overturns the Jeffersonian
Wilson's purpose. communicated to
leaders OF the Senate and House. has
created a small sensation In legislative
circles
The probabilities are that Mr.. Wilson
will personally read his message only
to the House. in which body tariff legis-
lation originates. Doubtless numerous
Senators will stroll over to witness the
unusual spectacle, but. unless the Pres
ident should indicate a decided wish
the visit Of Senators will be informal
May Have Joint Assembly.
Notification committees from the SEN
ate and House will call on the Presiden
this afternoon to inform him that Con-
gress is in session. II Mr.. Wilson .,
should signify a wish for a joint ses- |
sion Of the Senate and House tomor- !
row. resolutions might be introduced In I
each body to bring about joint assem- |
bly,. 1t is believed. however. that the !
President will read his tariff message !
TO the House alone.
In accordance with long established |
custom, committees from both the |
Senate and House will journey to the /
White House this afternoon to tell Mr. |
Wilson that Congress is in session and |
transmit. The President will solemnly |
inform the notification committees that /,
he has certain message to present and |
that he will bring II In person.
Congressman Underwood. the House !
floor leader, says IL has been about liz /
years since a President of the United |,
States read his own message to the !
Congress. The House leaders aren't |
sure just how to proceed. but the de- |
tails will be worked out when the Presf- /!
dent is notified" that Congress has met |
pursuant to his call.
Senators Are Startled.
The staid, old-time Senators were in
clined TO pinch themselves and blink free
y when told that President Wilson had
decided to break the rule of sending in
MS message by a special messenger or
IN assistant secretary to the President
The Wilson plan harks back to the early
lays Of the republic when Washington
md John Adams considered 1t the best
If form to journey to the Capitol and
sound the legislative battle cry for the
assembled statesmen.
Members Of the House-many Of them
rather enjoying the pros
,ect, and are not SO committed to the
1t is understood that the new Presi-
he Capitol during his term. While he
nav not read subsequent messages. the
President undoubtedly intends to use his
room at the Senate wing more frequent
y than have his predecessors, and the
-oom has been refurnished, II is said, in
with certain Wilsonesque
deas
For many years the Presidents rooml
1t the Senate has been used mainly
rs a show place for the delectation of
he tourist and, except in the closing
hours of a session, II has seldom been
by the Executive.
Will Use Capitol Office.