The Washington herald., 1914-01-21
Comments on the Message
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLI OPTIMISTIC NOW

Representative Oscar Underwood.
Democratic leader Of the House. said:
President Wilson'S message was with
out a doubt one of the most statesman
like papers ever presented to Congress.
| It definitely points the way to progress
| i've LEGISLATION that will remedy the evil
practices under which the people OF the
United States have been suffering. The
message was so conservative in tenor
that there can possibly be no construc-
| ton placed upon it which could cause
business men and business interests to
feel alarmed. The House will get down
to work very shortly and decide upon Q
definite plan for the enactment of legisla-
tion to embrace the phases suggested
today by President Wilson"
"Fine," Says Speaker Clark.
Champ Clark. Speaker of the House.
| said:
1T is a very. very fine message. That
tells the whole story. and how can one
say more!"
Lodge Agrees on Views.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Of Massa-
chusetts. Republican. said:
II think II was very able message.
I agree with him as to the necessity for
legislation on all OF the points he sus-
gests. II Congress draws this needed
legislation In the spirit which PreS-
dent Wilson processes to desire, I can
not but think that IL will be beneficial
to the country. But II the laws designed
to meet the Recommendations of the
President are framed by destructive
radicals who exist both in the Senate
and the House, they are capable OF doing
infinite damage The success Of the legis-
lation depends entirely on how the Presi-
dents recommendations are carried out
in the laws"
Senator Myers Optimistic.
member Of the Senate Interstate Com
merce Committee, said:
The message will have a good effect
It should be reassuring. / approve of
what President Wilson said about per-
mittins the railroads to be prosperous"
Senator GaIlinEer Praises.
Senator Jacob H. GaIlinser. Of New
Hampshire, Republican leader. said:
THE Presidents suggestions were mod
crate and statesmanlike. There was moth
ing in the message that need alarm any
business man or any business interest
of the United States. will venture that
IL tho majority party In both Houses Of
Congress will abandon the idea Of legis-
lating by party caucus and will formulate
bills along the lines suggested by Presi-
dent Wilson, that they will find the Re
publican party will cooperate with them
to pass such legislation. I hope Con-
gress will frame the bills as suggested
by the President. thus meeting his views
in good faith. 1 think II is recognized
that under existing conditions there
should be increases in railroad rates in
some sections, especially in New Eng
land"
Senator Shaforth Conments.
Senator John F. Shafroth, of Colorado,
said:
"It was indicated by President Wilson
in his message that he would not sanction
the intrusion of a vindictive spirit in any
coming laws will be moderate and help
full. The President spoke OF recognized
evils and urged their correction"
Statement of Senator Thomas.
Senator Charles S. Thomas, Democrat.
of Colorado, a member of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, said:
Like all OF his public utterances, the
Presidents message was wise. clear, i'm
pressive and statesmanlike. President
Wilson has always been the representa-
tive Of the entire country, which includes
those against whom legislation is aimed.
as well as those who demand II. In a
sense the Presidents recommendations
are radical because radical remedies are
demanded by radical abuses. I am sure,
however. that the Senate will neither
be vindictive nor impulsive in framing
legislation to carry them out"
"President Is RiEht"-Nerris.
Senator George L. Norris. Of Nebraska,
Republican, said:
awithout doubt the President Ii ab-
solutely right in his insistence that the
Individual, rather than the offending cor
poration, should be punished. I would
also carry his Recommendation one step
further and require the trust whose dis
Treasury Of the United States, all the
profits made while operating Illegally"
Henry Sends support.
REPRESENTATIVE Robert L. Henry. Of
Texas, chairman Of the House Rules
Committee, said:
att "a one of the greatest messages ever
delivered to Congress. It is brave, pat
riotic and wise. I am sure that Con-
Rress win speedily enact laws to cover
everv phase of the suggestions made
by the President. As chairman of the
Ru,es Committee and . member of the
House / stand ready to expedite lagisla-
tion and to cooperate with President
Wilson to Immediately enact these recon-
mendations into law.
Senator Jones In Aeo0fA.
Senator Jones. Republican. Of Washing-
ton, said:
az am In accord with the aims Of the
message delivered by the Preaident to-
day. As to the meaning Of the message
to business there may be doubt One
cannot prevent a thing from being de-
structive mersly by saving It u not DE-