New-York tribune., 1916-07-19
Makes Hurried Trip to the'
Capitol to Whip Sen
ators Into Line.
.GpANDSTAND PLAY
OPPONENTS INSIST
s,eering Committee Had Deeid'
cd TO Put Measure Over to
Next Session.

Washington '"'! AN
.,-b, Of publicity full on the South
senator's who have been trying to
90 -. the child labor bill by threats
$50 x',n,s,er. President Wilson, in a
~. Of personal conferences with
s..,.-s,ic So, leaders Of the Senate at
y c,ritol to-day. insisted that the
'.,g,e =. be put through before sd
;oarnment ...s on,,.
.,r.s Secret Service men, the Presi-
,rrived az the Capitol about noon.
s..,riac an elevator which he had used
,-evious trip. he went out Of his
.r "a 70 up on the same car, inouiring
:. -. elevator man where the Presi-
5,n.srOOn was.
s,n unrcognized, Mr.. Wilson made
-. v,y to the room, adjoining the
~, roon. just across the lobby be-
1.s,ss Senate Chamber. lie stood in
y. s,orray a moment before pressing
~, service as a page young Senate
,-,loye. Joseph O'Toole.
r. President sent In first for Sena-
49, Kern. and then in rapid succession
,.r senators simmons. Martin. Owen,
W,'ii,ms. James and Hughes. OF whom
III hg. Simmons and Hughes are mem
s.rs of the steering committee. tie
.-ss.s5 one or two Senators on leaving
- ,rbGa waiting. but did not confer
y,h any others.
Insists on Its Passage.
IN h,s talks he emphasized the .ur-
esocv from o political standpoint OF the
cfd labor bin, especially because j;
vas in the ST. Louis platform.
While those whom he saw were loath
% discuss details of the conferences,
s-rsrentiv the President confined his
s.-ert,on 90 the one measure. he urge
iie Senators 20 reverse the action OF
tss Democratic caucus of Saturday
r.sht. which postponed the considera-
non Of the bill until next session
ai.er the election.
The Southern opponents Of the bill
were upset by the Presidents direct
t-'ack They had thought their battle
won. Their decision 20 talk the meas
-rs % death had been accepted by the
Democratic caucus and consideration OF
che measure had been postponed.
To-nch they were still cautious. anc
ro- inclined 20 make prophecies. No
doubt exists that there are plenty OF
votes 20 put the bill through If II IS
slowed 20 come 70 vote, but the bis
esssron is whether the Democrats
from the Carolinas. Georgia and other
cotton mill states viii be able 70 stand
ne pressure from the White House II
-hev should attempt 70 use obstructive
re,hods methods which up until
se Presidents visit to-day had proved
r-rely successful.
Call II "Grandstaud Play"
There was n disposition on the par
4 many 20 believe that the Prosiden
n making his trip % the Capitol. ha'
mpnas,zsd 90 the country his position
r Favor Of The bill. and by this grand
-and play" as they called II, had en-
rely accomplished his purpose. Thos
a.rc this view believe that furthe
.eav and rostpOnoment may be resort
d 20 unt,l Congress adjOurns wlthou
,sssrr the bill, and that there Will h
10 further move on the President
,srf Some few are openly though no
ndlv-defant. and declare that n,
at-er what the President does the bil
y not be passed az this session.
4 DO not know what viii be done.
: Senator Simmons, who has le'
, rly every Administration fight u
senate since Mr.. Wilson entere'
he White House. obviously, tn
steering committee will have 10 hol'
mother meeting. and If the child labo
bin is % be taken up at this session
there must be another meeting of TIL
Democratic Senators in conference, q
modify the action taken Saturday night
would not like 10 make predlctlOi
Is 20 what Will be the outcome"
"This is constitutional question,
.sid Senator Smith. of South Carolina
chairman Of the immigration Commit
tee. who is pressing the immigration
IN which he Is also at odd
with the President.
Thinks II Unconstitutional.
"The principal point involved il
whether the Federal government shal
have the right 10 step in and dictat'
the personnel Of each factory and mine
do not believe for one moment that ]
is constitutional. As 20 whether tn
bill viii be passed or taken up at thu
session 7 am not sure. The Preslden
saw several Senators with that IN view
! understand, but he did not send 10
ne. have not seen him at all.
L was learned that Senator Smith j
determined that if the child labor bil
is forced through at this session he vii
90 all in his power 20 obtain vote OF
the immigration bill first, and then L
put that bill through over the Presl
dents veto, # possible.
conference of the Southern Sen
stors opposed 10 the bill will probabl!
be held tomorrow, at which IL will b'
determined just what steps will b
taken whether TO give In and permit
the passage Of the bill or 10 hold ou
and delay action until the Administra
ton forces will be compelled 20 give
-. q L