The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-19
PRESIDENT VISITS CAPITOL ID URGE
 CHILD LABOR LAW
Sees Kern and Other Sena- tors to Emphasize Desire to Secure Passage
 This Session

Washington, July 1S.--President Wilson went to the capitol today to emphasize
 his desire that a child labor law be put on the statute books at the present ses- sion of Congress- To Senate leaders he insisted that the child labor bill passed by the House should be made a part of the legislative programme to be put
 through the Senate before adjournment. Determined opposition by southern sem ators forced the House bill which would prevent shipment in interstate commerce of goods manufactured wholly or in part by children, out of the imperative pro-
 gramme drawn by the democratic caucus last Saturday. It was left in a secondary position to be considered only if time re- mained after other measures regarded as more urgent had been disposed of. MT. Wilson had been told that an effort to force it's passage would mean a serious
 party revolt.
 Whether the Presidents visit accom- plished anything more than to bring his own position in the matter emphatically to the front was not apparent tonight So far as could be learned the democratic steering committee contemplated no change in the caucus programme and no call had been issued for another caucus to consider MT. Wilson's request. l The President arrival at the capitol l was entirely unheralded. Accompanied 1 only by two secret service men he went 1 directly to the President room and sent
 for Senator Kern. the majority leader. | Later he discussed the subject with Vice l President Marshall, Senators Martin, l Williams, James and Owen of the demo- | cratic steering committee and Senators :, Simmons and Hughes. Senators Martin, l Williams and Simmons are among those I Inclined to favor postpenement of action I on the child labor bill until next Decem- l Der.
 1 Those who saw the President were reti- I cent Senator Kern said that the discus
 sion was nothing to get excited about
 and so far as he knew the Presidents s | visit, would not necessitate any delay in l the contemplate adjournment of Con- 4 gress Some senators who favor early ac- l tion on the child labor bill said they be- l jiieved there should be another caucus. l Others betrayed some resentment at the Presidents request, pointing out that the
 Senate already had compromised with the
 White House on the legislative pro- 1 gramme, the caucus last week agreeing I to delay action on the immigration bill, l which Mi. Wilson opposes. but which has ] the support of majority of the demo- cratic senators. ss
 I MT Wilson is said to have called atten- l tion today to the fact tuAt the demo- ! cratic republican and progressive party | platforms all contained blanks favorny Immediate enactment of child labor legis- l lation. His insistence is said to have been based not only on the merits of the ! bill, but also on his belief that it's pass ] age Is a matter of political expedency in l view of the declaration of the democratic l platform.
 The President also is anxious that the House bill providing system of work l men's compensation for federal employees be put through at this session. and it Is understood that was discussed at the I lconference today Senate leaders are said Ito have assured him that it was one oi
 sthe measures they expected to reach
 before adjournment.