Evening star., 1915-01-13
President Said to Realize En-
tire Program Cannot Get
Through Congress.
CONSIDERING A PROFFER
OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT
G. o. P. Progressives in Senate Said
to Have rendered Votes in Ex-
change for Amendments.

There were manifest indications
around the White House today that
President Wilson now realizes that the
administration legislative program will
fail as a whole and that the Senate will
do little beyond the appropriation bills.
That being pretty clear, the President.
1t was believed today, proposes to con-
centrate upon the ship purchase bill
first and leave the others for a final ef-
fort.
Manuel Quezon. the Philippine dele
gate in Congress-, admitted at the
White House today that the Philippine
bill has a poor chance of going through
at this session. This outlook also ap-
plies to the conservation bills pending
in the Senate.
Threat Of Extra Session.
Under the circumstances the Presi-
dent probably feels that he prefers to
put his shoulders to the wheel for the
most important Of the bills on his pro-
gram. That he regards the ship pur-
chase bill as the most vital Of all Is
we'll known.
There are evidences, too, that the
President Is getting "riled" over tho
impediments being put in the way of
legislation, and that he is preparing
for an active. systematic fight to win
on the paramount portion Of his legis-
lative program. II he does not do SO 1t
Is getting to be a good bet that there
will be an extra session OF Congress. It
was oaid today, ~ :.
Progreuives oner Help.
A number Of progressive republican
senators are ready to support the ship
purchase bill Of President Wilson If Ger
position has been made known to the
President through a conference he had
this morning with Senator Kenyon Of
Iowa, and last night with Senator La
Toilette. Reports to the President caused
him to seek to ascertain the progressive
republican viewpoint. He has been told
that the republicans who would support
the bill are not satisfied with the pro-
vision placing the organization of the law
In the hands Of cabinet officers. They
Will insist upon non-partisan commits
sion to handle the purchase and opera
tion OF ships. so that the enterprise may
be taken out Of politics.
They also wish to eliminate from
the bill intimations or promises that
the project is to be temporary. They
want the operation of commercial ships
by the government given fair trial,
its nd psrmansaey .Sa ;aS. to be left to results
are not frightened over the prospects
Of government ownership and want to
see the measure strengthened, so that
1t will not carry the inference of being
temporary.
Poll Of the Senate,
The democrats Of the Senate will
carefully poll the situation there and
determine how much support will be
needed from republicans, If any, and
how far the administration Is willing
to go in amendments to conciliate the
votes that would come to it.
The republicans who are willing to
support the bill have determined to
vote first for the substitute Of Senator
Cummins, providing that the ships
shall be cruisers Of the navy diverted
to commerce and to be returned to the
navy whenever deemed wise.
1t was learned today that the admin
ietration, If the amendments suggested
are made in the bill. can count on at
least four and probably Ave to six
votes for the measure when 1t reaches a
final vote, the expectation of the pro-
gressive republicans being that the
Cummins substitute will be voted down.
These are Senators La Toilette. Ken
yon.- Clapp and Norris. with the proba-
bility of Senator Cummins himself join
ing the democrats at the end.
The dickering of the administration
with the progressive republicans was
considered today as indicating that the
President will welcome all the support
the bill can get in the Senate, where
a hard and somewhat close fight is ex-
pected.
The President will consider the propo-
sition of the progressives and deter
before determining his attitude.
President Agrees to Speak.
President Wilson today agreed to de-
liver a speech before the midwinter
conference Of the American Electric Rail-
way Association and its allied organi-
cations. to be held in this city January
20. The invitation was put formally
before the President today by a COM
mittee headed by c. l.. Henry, vice
president of the organization.
John H. Fahey. president Of the Cham
ber of Commerce Of the United States
today obtained from President Wilson
a promise to address the annual meet.
ing Of the chamber in this city Thurs
day evening. February 4.
Antitrust Law Change Up.
Mr.. Fahey talked to the President
ohout the wish Of the association to
Gee an amendment to the Sherman anti
trust law permitting agreements
among American business men doing
foreign business in order to compete
With foreign combinations. Mr.. Fahey
said he has not recommended or op-
nosed any one seeking membership on
the Interstate trade commission. Mr.
a Mace. but has stated for a long time
that he could not accept position on
the commission.
Herman Bernstein, a New York ed
itor, discussed the immigration bill