The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-14
WILSON TO'CONFER
WITH La Toilette
Wisconsin Senator Has Been
Asked to Pay Visit to
White House.
MAY BE FAR-sIGHTED MOVE
Politicians See Effort to Gather
Progressive Republicans Into
Democratic Fold.
IspeeIal to zinc Times.plspatch.l

Especial TO Tho eS-DiSpatCh.1
Washington. March 13.-Presidcnt
Woodrow Wilson has invited Senator
La Toilette. leader Of tho progressive
Republicans. to come to the White
House for conference tomorrow
night.
The wise men of politics claim to
see In this open recognition of the
Wisconsin Senator the signs OF far
sighted move to gather into the fold
of the new progressive Democratic
party all progressive Republicans,
who. having forsaken the strap hit Re-
publican party, have wandered like
sheep without a shepherd since the
defeat OF Roosevelt
The announced object of the con-
ference between the President and
Senator La Toilette Is to discuss the
attitude Of Republican progressives in
the Senate toward Democratic tariff
reform legislation. IT is also entirely
safe TO say that the subject Of recog-
milton by the Wilson administration
of progressive Republican Senators in
those States not represented by Dem
ocratS In the Senate will be taken up
High Regard for In Toilette.
" President Wilson has high regard
for Senator La Toilette. and the con-
ference is one OF the most important
that has been invited by the President.
1t indicates that he has accepted Sen
ator La Toilette as tho leader of the
Republican progressive faction In the
Senate.
How far Senator La Toilette may be
able to control the progressive Repub-
licnn faction in the Senate is uncer-
tain. Senator Cummins and Senator
BrlBtow have evidenced their independ-
ence and have not always supported
Senator La Toilette in his schemes of
radical legislation. The distinction Civ
en- La Toilette may emphasize the
jealousy that now exists. 1t is gem
orally understood that the tariff prob
lem is TO be the main Legislation at
this session. although 1t liz possible
that the President may decide later
that he wants Congress to take up at
once the revision of money laws SEN
ator La Toilette has been n student of
both OF these economic questions. and
his suggestions to the President may
have weight
The so-called Democratic wool reduc-
ton bill, vetoed by President Taft two
years ago, was framed by Senator La
foilette. IT was compromise meas
ure. much lower in It's duties than the
Payne-Aldrich law, trifc higher than
the Democratic bill. The same was
true OF the cotton revision schedule
which passed the Senate and met the
Veto. The iron and steel schedule COM
promise bill was framed by Senator
Cummins. OF Iowa, hut Senator La Fol
lette did not agree with his progressive
colleague on all the duties carried in
this bill.
Wisconsin is Interested keenly in the
question Of Federal patronage in that
State. The Wisconsin Senators-I.a
toilette and Stephenson-are Repub-
Means, ana there are but two Demo-
crats IN the eleven progressive mem
Ders OF the House. Should Senator La
roulette win from President Wilson
u promise TO recognize the progressive
Republicans in his appointments he
VIII lave won a victory for his faction
that Will place him In the lead OF ali
progressives He will completely de
stroy also the regular Republican ma
chine in Wisconsin
White House Silent.
IL has been reported freely that
President Wilson is to give recogni-
ton In the matter OF patronage to the
progressive Republican members OF
Congress. This Is denied by the Re-
publican leaders. and the White House
Is silent on the subject.
1t Is well known. however, that the
president inclines to the progressive
wings in both the Democratic and Re-
publican parties. and in his political
career he has not hesitated TO interest
Legislators OF the opposing party to
force through progressive Legislation
that he desired to have enacted. The
Senate may prove to be the stumbling
block in the path of reform legislation
urged by the President, and assistance
from the progressive Republicans may
be necessary to force through the
character of tariff and other 'legisla-
tion that he may recommend.