The daily banner., 1913-04-15

forences With NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
if he Exerts as Much influence a.
Mckinley or Roosevelt.
BY ARTHUR W. DUNN.
Washington. April 15.-[Special.]-
There is no personal feeling against
President Wilson. and that explains
why there has been little or only mild
criticism of his visits to the capitol
and conferences with legislators about
legislation. | doubt whether he ex-
erts as much influence as either Nc
Kinley or Roosevelt. neither Of whom
went to the capitol, except on adjourn
ment days. in order to hurry the sign
ing Of bills.
Both Mckinley and Roosevelt called
senators and members to the White
House and talked legislation with
them. Roosevelt was very successful
in cajoling and finally browbeatng
recalcitrant members into line.
During Taft's administration there
were frequent visits Of the legislative
whip to the White House with lists
of members who would not come
across for the administration pro-
gram, and the White House scouts
would then try to round them up, and
as a final punishment they were de-
priyed of patronage for their constitu-
ents.
Wilson Is Persuasive.
President Wilson is persuasive. In
the early stages Of his capitol visits he
did not display any feeling because
Democrats did not see things his way.
Like Mr.. Taft. he thought those who
did not see things his way were all
| wrong.
Taft told the Gloucester fishermen
and the northern farmers that they
were seeing ghosts" in the Canadian
reciprocity. Wilson thinks the sugar
men and the wool growers are entirely
| mistaken when they think free sugar
and free wool will ruin their indus
tries.
And what is rather interesting in
past performances is that the people
Of a congressional district generally
side with president against q mem
| Der of congress They did with Cleve-
land and Roosevelt. but not with Taft.
Jim Mann Overworked.
No one person can know everything
and do everything. Jim Mann has be-
gun to show the strain of overwork.
He knows more than any other person
about congress in regard to every
thing. He keeps up with all that Is
going on. He knows his own men and
it up without showing the effects.
Mann has become a little nervous in
his manner His friends detect a
shade of irrita bility now and then. His
enemies say he is really cross. Mann
needs a good lieutenant and 1t looks as
IL he would have one in Augustus P.
Gardner of Massachusetts.
Legislative Memorizis.
Legislatures in various states seem
to have been busy during the winter
passing memorials to congress, for the
Congressional Record has been filed
with them. Western states show their
interest in public lands and conservation
forest reserves, while states in the
Mississippi valley are directing atten-
ton to overf1owed streams.
Austin Makes a Record.
Congressman Austin introduced in one
day $50 bills for pensions and claims.
This is record. There are many people
in Tennessee who want pensions or in
creases of pensions and many others
who want to be paid for property taken
during the civi! war. These people
have been looking to Austin to take
care of them, for he Is quite successful
in his efforts in obtaining pensions and
the payment Of claims.
"Grand Jury" Party.
Owing to the number of men COM
posing the Progressive party in the
house it is sometimes alluded to as the
grand jury" party, as its members
would about make such an organiza-
tion. AS some reference was made to
the new party one day alfalfa Bill'
Murray of Oklahoma called out, "You
mean the grand jury" BE careful
you're not indicted snapped back Laf-
iCllS VI oIcSOu WIZ 10 iCoOluS SpAA-
it in the new organization.
Civil Service Information.
The biennial resolution calling for
civil service information has gone
through the senate. The senators in
terested will find that lot Of people
are in the civil service; that lot were
put in by executive order; that differ
ent schemes have been invented to get
around the merit system, and then
everything will go on as before. The
lid" will be raised when an occasion
requires it and some real necessary in
dividual must have place.
Almost an Empty Honor.
Designation Of any man as a leader
Is almost an empty honor. Leadership
In the senate is not made by caucus
choice, but by the individual senator
who takes command on account Of his
brains and personality. He must have
good ideas, good judgment, show wis
dom In counsel and utterance, and have
q personality which dominates his fel-.
lows.