The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-30
WILSON BELIEVES
ACTION POSSIBLE
AFTER A CONFERENCE
ON CONGRESS PROGRAM
Leaders Are at Work on Com
promise Railroad Bill - ..
Other Big Measures.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. JAN 29.-
After a series OF conferences at the
Capitol on practically all features Of
his legislative program, President
Wilson told his advisers to-day that
he believed action could be secured at
this. session on every important meas
ure inpEhich he was interested. With
different members Of the Senate and
House he had discussed means Of pre-
venting railroad strikes. vocational ed
ucation, revenue, food control, the
general land leasing bill, the Porto
Rico bill. a measure to allow Amerl-
can exporters to form common selling
agencies abroad, increased pay for
Federal employees, and the placing OF
postmasters under civil service.
The President told Senator Poindex-
Ter. author Of an amendment to the
legislative, judicial and executive ap-
preparation bill. adopted by the Senate,
which would extend the civil service
requirements to all postmasters, that
he favored the change. At present
only postmaSters in small towns in the
fourth class are selected by e1amina-
tion, and the remainder are appointed
by the President and confirmed by the
Senate. Mr. Wilson said he would be
gratifed to have the amendment
agreed to In conference. He has pre-
viously urged proposal Of this kind,
and Postmaster General Burleson has
endorsed it in his annual report. 1t IS
expected to meet with some Demo
F.. cratic opposition.
Representative Sims. Of Tennessee,
member Of the House interstate COM
road program, told the President that
he did not believe the House would
approve the part Of the administration
recommendations prohibiting strikes
Or lockouts pending an investigation.
The President said he would not in
sist on any particular form Of legisla-
lion, but that 1t was absolutely neces-
sary to decide on some means Of pre-
venting strikes on the railroads OF the
country.
A Compromise Measure.
Administration leaders are now
working on compromise measure
which the President probably will en-
dorse. It provides for an investtgat-
ing board, made up Of representatives
of both sides, as suggested by the rail-
road brotherhoods. but adds a. repre-
sentative Of public.
The Webb bill for common selling
agencies abroad for American export
ers. already passed by the House. was
gone over in detail with the President
by Senator Pomerene, who told Of the
amendments he expected to offer in
committee. These amendments are de
signed to prevent exporters from using
the combinations for foreign trade to
increase prices in the United States,
and would authorize the Federal trade
commission to investigate wrong prac.,
tees and report to the Department OF
Justice.
In discussing increased pay for Fed.
eral employees with committee from
the Federal Employees Union, present,
ing petition signed with 5O0.OOV
names. the President indicated that ne
favored increases, if possible.
~ have been on salary all my
life he said, "and therefore can sym,
pathiZe with others in the same n1
In the midst Of his legislative con
ferences. the President was interrupt
ed by twenty Indians. who wanted tc
shake hands. He listened with puz
zled expression while one of them ad
dressed him in an Indian dialect. as
sisted by the sign language. Then ne
smiled when an interpreter told him
the Indians wanted no favors, but
merely desired TO greet "the great
white father.