The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-15
First Visit of the Senator to
White House in Three
Years
NO STATEMENT OF
PURPOSE OF VISIT
Understood That Conference Was
Upon Proposed New Legislative
Measures-To Meet Other
Progressives

Washington. March Ex-senator LaF'ol-
lette made his first call tonight at the
White House in more than three years.
He was the invited guest of President
Wilson, and spent almost an hour with
him in his study in the executive mansion.
lie would make no statement as to the
open secret for days that he was expected
to discuss matters of legislation with the
President
President Wilson is known to hold the
progressive republican senator in high re-
gard. He watched his career for many
years as governor of Wisconsin and as
United States senator. He referred to Mr..
LaFollette in terms of praise in many of
his speeches during the campaign for the
presidency. 1t was generally understood
that he wished especially to get the views
of Senator LaFollette upon tariff re-
vision, currency legislation, Alaska and the
effect of physical valuation of railroads,
ing days of the last session. The confer
ence tonight was merely preliminary to
others TO be held later as the situation
in Congress develops. Other progressive
senators will be asked to the White House
from time to time, and the President
hopes many of them will find it consis-
tent to line up with the democrats in
passing what he believes is progressive
legislation.
Take Up Broad Issues
Tonight's discussion between the Presi
dent and Senator I,aF'ollette was not in
tended u lead TO final exehange OF opin
ions in regard to subjects tnat Congress:
will be called upon to consider. 1t was 8
meeting arranged for taking up briefly
several broad subjects which would leao
to more minute consideration in the neal
future. Common ground on which botf
could stand on many issues was indicated
by the Presidents desire to have any
discussion at all with Mr.. LaFolette
Senator LaFollette was closeted with
the President from 6 to o'clock. Ap.
parently he was in good humor when he
departed. for although he would not talk
about his visit. he joked with the news
paper men who were waiting to see him.
"This is my first visit in three years
to the White House, ne said in answer
to an inquiry. 81 came once after the
special tariff session called by President
Taft, but / wasn't received"
"Well how do you feel now?" he was
asked
Fine said the senator as he stepped
into his automobile Fine" he repeated
as the newspaper men came closer to hear
why he was feeling so fine after a re-
appearance at the White House and a
long talk with a democratic President 81
never felt better than | do now. | have
ben In most excellent health for two
years"
Tariff UnimpOrtant
No currency legislation or any other
subject will be taken up by the extra ses-
sion until Congress disposes of the tariff.
This is the position which President
Wilson practically agreed upon, accord
ing to Representative A. Mitchell Palmer
of Pennsylvania. chairman of the demo-
cratic caucus, who discussed legislation
with him.
Representative Jones of Virginia recon-
mended the appointment of 7. e. Nor
gan of Warsaw, Va, to be public printer.
Senator Hoke Smith presented the name
of W. J. Harris. democratic state chair
man of Georgia, to be commissioner of
census, and p. A. Stova1l of Savannah to
be minister 10 Switzerland.
When the conference with the Presi-
dent broke up it became known Mr..
Burke was practically the only man be-
ing considered for treasurer, and that
Mr. Peabody would prefer some other post
than collector at New York 1t was sug-
gested that place in the foreign service
might be offered him.