Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-16
President Non-CommittaI on
Subject of Exemption From
Sherman Law.
AMBASSADOR PAGE GETS
WHITE HOUSE SUPPORT
Mr.. Wilson Thinks Criticisms Due
to misunderstanding of
London Speech.

| Answering inquiries by visitors today.
| President Wilson said that the ques-
| tion Of specifically eXemptin>s farmers
| organizations and labor unions from
| the operations of the Sherman trnst
| law had not been discussed in the con-
! ferences he has held with senator's and
| representatives on the trust bills being
| prepared in Congress for passage by
| that body. His attention was directed
| to the fact that the Federation of
Labor and other labor organizations
| are flooding Congress with le.ters ask
| ing that the exemption be made in one
| Of the several bills it is proposed to
pass. He had not Investigated the
| claims of the labor organizations on
| the question, lie intimated.
Chairman Clayton and one of the sub
committees of the House judiciary com
mttee now working upon three of the
proposed trust bills are scheduled for an
interview with the President at 8 O'Clock
this afternoon, and it is expected they
| will submit a redraft of one of the bills
before them for final approval by the
President.
Unions Not Likely to Win.
Judging from the Presidents remarks
it is not likely that the demands of the
labor unions will be taken up. That
| these demands will precipitate something
of a crisis in Congress and politics
generally is prediction freely heard to-
day and the Presidents attitude will, of
course be of tremendous interest. Presi-
dent Wilson's views exemption of
labor organizations from the operations
of the law were sought almost at the
beginning of his administration over the
provisions in the sundry civil bill in
| hibiting the use of S3OO,OOO of money for
trust actions against farmers and labor
organizations.
President Taft, just as he was going out
of office March 4, 1913. vetoed the bill
containing this provision on the ground
that he would never consent to eXempting
any organization of men from the work.
ings of any law The bill had to be re-
passed when Mr.. Wilson came into power,
and there was much discussion of what
he would do with it. After careful consid-
GRAFTON the President took the position
that the exemption in that case applied
only to the specific appropriation, good
for this fiscal year only, and that it would
not prevent prosecution of labor organiza-
tions with funds at his disposal from
other appropriations, il deemed advisable.
The intimations at that time were that
the President would take practically the
same attitude as Mr.. Taft if there should
be an attempt to secure general legislation
of an exemptatory character.
Stands by Ambassador Page.
The President stood squareiy by Am
bassador Page today when suggestions
were made as to possible further steps
about the ambassadors speech to British
ers some days ago. Mr.. Wilson asserted
that there was no doubt that the criti-
cisms against the ambassador were based
entirely upon an absolute miSunderstand
ing of what he said. One especial in
stance of msquotation was touched upon,
indicating that the President has received
private advices from Mr.. Page as to
what was said and the circumstances
under which the speech was delivered.
The President said that Mr.. Page had
quoted him accurately as to the Presi-
dents attitude on the tolls proposition.
District Judgeship Recommendation
Representative Dickinson Of Missouri,
accompanied by Payton A. Parks. chair
man of the democratic congressional COM
mittee of the sixth Missouri district, called
on President Wilson today to urge the
nomination of William Henry White of the
District bar for judge of the supreme
caused by the death Of Chief Justice Cla-
baugh. The visitors saw Attorney Cen
eral McReynolds few days ago and
talked in behalf of Mr.. White. who came
here from Cass county, Mo, sixteen years
ago. The President gave no intimation
of what he will d. to this vacancy.
Representative Logue of Philadelphia
saw the President about the additional
United States district judge created by
Congress for the Philadelphia district.
Mr.. Logue recommends William A.
Carr of Philadelphia, who also has
the backing of Representative A. Nit
colt of New Jersey, close friend of
Mr. Wilson, saw the President some
time ago to urge the nomination Of
his son. H. d. Westcott, practicing law
in Philadelphia.
Senator Burton of Ohio today invited
the President to address the American
Peace Society at & the Pan-Anerican
not deliver the address. but he may
| make a short speech of welcome TO
the assembled delegates.
Indians at White House.
A large number of Comanche Sioux,
kiowa and Chippewa Indians. who are in
Washington from their western reserva-
tions, shook hands with Mr.. Wilson to-
day.
President Wilson was not ready to talk
today about the possible membership of
the federal reserve board. He was asked
about reports that Assistant Secretary
Charles S. Hamlin is to resign from his
position in the Treasury to go upon the
board but he said that he had noticed
many reports. The suggestions are that
Mr. Hamlin will be succeeded by Arthur
P Meagher of St Louis.
W. S. West. the new senator from
Georgia called at the White House to-
day and paid his respects to the Presi-
II, l,Is- Er-f Icff sin hA
sworn as successor to the late Senator
Bacon Senator West had never met
President Wilson before.
WARNS AGAINST SMALLPOX.