The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-03
President Holds First of Se- ries of Conferences With
 Captains of Finance
LAWFUL BUSINESS
 HAS NOTHING TO FEAR
President Anxious to Exchange Opin- ions as to Pending Legislation. Ford and Chicago Delegation
 Next to Confer

Washington, July 2.--For nearly an hour today President Wilson discussed business conditions with J. F. Morgan which will bring to the White House men foremost in American industry and finance. It was one of the very few occasions during the 16 months of his that the President has received one of the recognized leaders of "bfg business."
 Officials said that while the administra- tions greatest executive projects were under way, the tariff act. the currency bill, and while the trust programme was being perfected-the President felt there should be no opportunity for a charge that they were receiving inspiration from business or financial centres
 Now that two of the administration re- forms have been completed and third Is in final stage. the President Is said to feel that an exchange of thought and opinion with captains of industry would be conducive to the reforms which he expects to see along lines which the ad- ministration holds to be legal.
 Next week Henry Ford. Detroit manu- and after that delegation from the Chi cago Chamber of Commerce, including representatives of six firms with nation wide interest, will come.
 The President expects them to learn that lawful business has nothing to fear from the administration; that the trust programme having reached point where he foresees It's successful completion, business shall have the rest many of its leaders have been asking, and that under the Legislation of freedom," as the President has christened the trust legis- lation, commerce and finance respecting the laws will not be harassed by the fed- eral government.
 Point in Doubt
 Whether Mir. Morgan came at his OWE request or at the invitation of tho Presi- dent was not established. That point Is often left in doubt with respect to impor- tant White House callers.
 One version was that mutual friends ar ranged for MT. Morgan to talk things over.' The two men have been ac- quainted for some time and MT. Nor gan knew the President at Princeton and the personal element in the call was a large one.
 There was, however, an agreement that MT. Wilson should not make any an- nouncement concerning the conference. He told inquirers that the talk had been cordial one, largely reminiscent. and that MT. Morgan expressed no opinion on whether business was good or bad The President added that the attitude of business men seemed to be growing in favor of the administration trust pro- gramme. Whether the conference had contributed to that conviction was not disclosed.
 White House officials declared the President had no thought of altering his legislative programme throughout the campaign. as MT. Wilson styled it. al- though a halt in the trust bills, which he declared was the cause of 'psychologI- cal depression" reports came to the White House from the business world that it was believed the President did not wish to discuss his policies with the men vitally interested in them. White House officials say that impression was wholly inaccurate. and that the Presi- dents only reason for not consulting busl- ness leaders was that while at work upon definite programme he did not wish to have 1t take the appearance of having been influenced.
 While the currency bill was in passage he declined to receive some members of MT. Morgan's firm It was recalled that aside from James Speyer. the banker, the President had discussed public policies with no other big men of the business world. MT. Speyer came to give the President some information on Latin American finances. Andrew Carnegie and James J. Hill have been received at the White House. but thei, visits have been purely personal and of very short dura- ton
 Asked Many Questions
 Mir. Morgan ran the gauntlet of rapid fire of questions as he emerged from the White House through a small sea of cor respondents.
 My visit with the President was very cordial. You will have to ask him what we talked about" was his response to all questions as he drove away.
 Later a persistent questioner pressed MT. Morgan little closer.
 MT. Morgan" said he. has the Pres ident sent for you and the other busi- ness men of the country. or are the busi- ness men coming here to talk to him?''
 Don't you think we ought to?' re- joined Mir. Morgan with a suspicion of em- phasis which might be interpreted accord ing to the point of view of the inter- viewer
 The remainder of the afternoon Mir. Morgan spent observing what freedom a world figure may enjoy in the capitol of his own country. At luncheon, sitting in a hotel cafe alone. Attorney General MoReynold and Secretary Garrison almost rubbed elbows with him, apparently all three men oblivious of the others identity. and dozen other nation- wide known per- Z sons who gathered at the place for lunch- con did not recognize him.
 He took a trip unaccompanied to the capitol. strolled through statuary hall and over the route of the tourists. saw guide point out to a party of schools ma ans the x-toed Indian and the three-armed girl in the painting in the rotunda. and went to the Senate gallery.
 Refused Admittance
 taciturn doorkeeper barred the way to the private gallery used by guests of senators. Mir. Morgan, hat in hand, tried to pass in. "Got a ticket to get in here?' demanded the sentry
 'No. but I am acquainted with Senator Root" ventured NIT. Morgan.
 Cant help that" responded the guard ian of the door with an air of finality.