Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-25
SENATE LEADERS
IN CONFERENCE
WITH PRESIDENT
May Have Discussed Efforts
to Force Open Debate
on Peace Address.
NO ATTEMPT TO AGREE
ON ANY PLAN OF ACTION
Cummins Resolution for Mem
bers to Express Their Views
Goes to Calendar.
OPPOSITION IS DETERMINED
Led by Senator Stone, Democrats
Maintain 1t Would Mean
an Extra Session.
is DETERMINED
Led by Senator Stone, Democrats
Maintain 1t Would Mean
an Extra Session.
tBy Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, January 24.-Fivs
Democratic leaders of the Senate. three
of them members of the Foreign Re4
lations Committee, had long confcr-
ence with President Wilson to-nighp
at the White House. Afterward all or
them refused hatly to talk.
In the conference were Chairman
stone and Senators Pomerene ana
Salisbury. of the Foreign Relations
Committee. and Senator'S Walsh and
Hoke Smith.
The President is much interested In
the efforts of Senator Cummins ana
other Republicans to force an open de-
bate on his peace address. and in some
quarters it was believed that il waS
in this connection that the Senator'S
were called to the White House. There
have been suggestions that in order to
prevent interference with legislation by (
daily discussions of the Cummins reso-
luton TO set aside next week for tho
debate. the administration might favor
either fixing a limited time for the
debate now or an agreement to postpons'
until the Senate holds its extra session
after March 4.
1t is understood the subject was dis
cussed only generally. and that no at-
tempt was made to agree upon any
plan of action.
The legislative program was talked
over, and the President is said to have
urged the Importance OF passing watcr-
power legislation before the end of the
session.
DETERMINED OPPOSITION &
TO DEBATE On ADDRESS
Determined opposition was revealed
by administra tion leaders in the Senate
ODD n I'm e., Z
TO set aside next week for free dis.
cussion Of President Wilson'S world
peace address. Led by Senator stone.
chairman OF the Foreign Relations
Committee, the Democrats stood against
the Cummins resolution, maintaining y
that with tho press of Legislative busi- 3
ness. such Il discussion at this tlme
would make necessary an extra session
Of Congress. #i
For nearly two hours. the resolution
was the subject OF debate. during which
views on world peace set forth in tho
Presidents address were alluded to
only incidentally. At the outset, Scna- +
tor stone moved that the resolution
lie referred to the Foreign Relations &
Committee; later Senator Norris movea
10 amend that motion by adding In.
structions that the committee make a.
report within ten days Finally, the
resolution went TO the Senate calendar.
without action. and 1t will require ar
hrmativc action before il can be placed
before the Senate for vote.
WILL PRESS MATTER At
EVERY OPPORTUNITY
Scnstor Cummns insisted tonight ON
pressing tnl ,matter- at every oppor-
tunity. and a motto. to taL> II I'm
is debatabie. II can prcuipi,ate dis
cussion during the first hour OF tho
Scnatc's session every day, unless par-
iiamcntary eXpedients are adopted ty
prevent.
Opening debate on his resolution for
Il weck's discussion in the Senate OF
the peace address, Senator Cummins
said the Presidents suggestions wers
the most important ever made by n
chief executive OF the United States,
and. right Or wrong, the Senate owed
it TO the country to set aside time for
a fun discussion of the issues involved
"It will be observed that the resolu-
ton does not invite. nor even properly
permit. Il discussion al this time OF
the soundrcss or unsoundness OF tho
purposes announced in the Presidents
address, said Senator Cummins IT
VIII do all can do to hold the debate
/" I'll" point OF issue What is ito It
IS this Ought the Senate on some day
IN The near future do the countr,- ths
justice Of informing the people and
advising the President OF our views
concerning policy Of the most vital
Importance. to which he has told us ha
is about to commit his government?
Address MOST IMPORTANT
EVER MADE BY 4 PRESIDENT (,
For the proper discussion of the
resolution il matters not whether the
President is right or wrong. III either
case his communication is the most
Important ever made by a chief exc &
tive Of the United states He so
CARDS it. The whole country so 10.
upon it. and foreign nations 50 acc.
it, He has come to the Senate fran
and boldly and. | assume. with
sincerity. saying that he owed IT tc,
TO disclose to us the purpose in
mind. Why did he owe it to us to
close without reserve the thought B
purpose in his mind?"
Senator Cummins said the Presto
himself had answered that qucS
when he referred to tho senate
council associated with me" in In 4
national affairs. , g
Are we TO sit dumb under this, e3s
pcal?" asked Senator Cummins
time to vote, II is true, has not ;s
rived but is the council to remain st s
while public; opinion is forming W
public Judgment is being entered?i f
Il have no authority to speak H
tho President. but I am bound to ~
lieve those who oppose this rssolut
are not his true friends It musa