The Washington times., 1913-04-08
WILSON READS HIS
MESSAGE IN HOUSE
Statesmen and Visitors sit
BreathIess as Executive
Skaters Precedent.
Continued from First Page.)


In the galleries. From the open door
In the corridors filtered through as the
subdued music OF an orchestra, but IL
in no way inteTfered with every person
in the audience chamber hearing and
realizing The effect OF every word that
was uttered.
As the President made the various
points in his speech the effect on the
various Senator was plain. The low
tariff Senators and Congressman smiled
and nodded approval. But the protec-
tionists were plainly not pleased. Sena-
tor Lodge sat bolt upright In his seat
and twirled his fingers. His face was
hard set. There was not single syll-
able of the entire speech which was
not carefully followed by him. Other
Republican leaders were plainly also
under a severe strain during the en-
tire address.
1t WAS just Los when President VIII
son ended his speech with:
Gentlemen. | sincerely thank you for
your courtesy" and hastily retired down
the aisle he had passed up ten minutes
earlier.
Characteristic Scene.
The scene throughout as the President
delivered his speech was characteristic
of Republican government. There is
a brand new arrangement in the
House. The old fashioned chairs and
desks are gone. In their places are
cane seated, leather backed chairs
that are largely comfortable Each
was occupied. In the very front rows
were the members of the upper
house.
They. too. were the members Of the
Upper House. They, too seemed
changed. In the old days the Senate
was a disnified booy of elder statesmen.
rhr fn ly<d IN, NJ r,ra-
cedent But the majority of the Sem
ators who today listened to the personal
message of a President were men under
middle age, of the highest type of the
none there were who failed to give the
closest attention to every word that
was spoken.
In the rear ranks sat the House MEM
bers. also of the young and aggressive
type. The represented In their very
galleries were a perfect biae of color.
Most Of the occupants were women, and
the spring gowns and hats lent a pic
turesqueness to the whole scene that
was pleasing to tine eye.
Official Washington. his wife and his
children composed the audience, that,
70 rthe first time in 1l2 years, heard a
President of the United States in per-
son deliver his views to a Congress
dominated by his own party
Record Struggles
Experienced doorkeepers and police
men say they have never witnessed
such struggles as the public put up
today to gain admission to the House
galleries. The Cannon rules fight Of
1912. the opening of Congress at which
the Democrats came into power after
sixteen years as a minority party. ana
the annual adjournnsnts Of Congress
have never brought such crowds as
surSed about the historical Capitol
building today.
Handsomely gowned women, men in
silk hats and fashionably dressed, sub
stantial business persons, school girls,
lawyers, doctors, merchants, and al
most every other class of American cit
izenship, including under officials Of
the Government, vainly laid siege ID
the Capitol entrances, cajoled the
guards, made threats. called hopeless
ly upon the influence of my Congress
man" and were turned away. II Is
estimated that fully I50oo persons made
vain trips today to Capitol Hill