Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1918-11-20
LEADERS TALK
OVER PROGRAM
WITH WILSON
BEFORE VOYAGE
Informal Conference Dis
cusses League of Nations,
National Retrenchment
Will Make Foreign EN-
bassies Headquar ters-
Impress Dispatch Boats,
If Necessary-All Await
Opening Address at Con
gress

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Demo-
cratic senators who conferred with
President Wilson tonight for two hours,
left the White House with the impress
sion that the president now plans TO
remain in France indefinitely, or at
least until the major portion of the
work of the peace conference has been
completed.
The president was understood to be
especially interested in the application
in the framing of the treaty of the
principle of the freedom of the seas,
which he enunciated in his fourteen
terms, and on which the allies, in
agreeing to discuss peace with Ger
many, have reserved the right of free
dom of action at the peoce conference.
Talks of Nation League
The plan for a league of nations was
another subject to which the president
was said to have given much study
He was understood to regard this as
essential for the peace of the world.
During his absence from the United
| to exercise all~the functions of his
office. He will keep in Communication
with Washington by wireless while at
sea, and by cable and, if necessary, by
| dispatch boats while he is abroad
| While in F'rancec, the president, it
was said, will prepare to plan the
transaction of any necessary executive
business in the American embassy.
Technically he then will be upon
American soil. Should he visit London
or any of the other allied capitals, the
embassies there would become his ex-
ecutive headquarters.
Before discussing his plans for his
trip abroad, the president was under
stood to have taken up with the sena-
tors problems of reconstruction and
necessary legislation. 1t was said that
he opposes the creation of a recon
struction commission, either executive
or congressional, preferring that the
work be done by existing agencies,
such as the war industries board, the
food administration and the war trade
board.
Leaders Participate
Senators attending the conference
included Simmons and Overman of
North Carolina, Pomerene of Ohio,
Walsh of Montana, and Swanson of
Virginia, all chairnen of important
committees. During the day the presi-
dent had conferred with Senator Mar
tin of Virginia, the democratic leader.
The American merchant marine, Ia
Dor problems and the war revenue bill
were other subjects taken up at the
conference tonight, which lasted until
about 10 o'clock. The president was
said to have reiterated his views on
the necessity for a great fleet Of ships
to carry the nations commerce, and to
that end favors continuation of ihe
governments shipbuilding program.
Regarding labor, senators were said
TO have been told that maintenanc,
of utmost confidence between en-
rlayers and employees is particularly
essential during hte per!od of recon
struction.
Consider Retrenchment
Retrenchment in federal expendi-
lures, as far as is consistent was saiC
to be desired by the president, wh,
told the senators he already hat
taken steps to that enS In this con.
nection the pending w1r revenue bill
was discussed. especially with Sena
tor Simmons, chairman of the senat
, finance committee. The presiden
: asked regarding prospects of its pas
, sage, in view of his approaching de
parture for France, and was advise,
by Senator Simmons of the prospec
OF delay and determined republican
, opposition to the plan proposed b
Secretary McAdoo, for determination
: in the ending measure of 1920 Ia
rates.
J Reconstruction and legislative ques
tions, the senators were said to havl
/ been informed, probably will be dis
/ cussed by the president in his address
r TO congress at the opening of tn
new session, December 2. At tha
/ time he is expected to outline his view
/ on the necessity for maintaining som
government war agencies, at least TO
D a limited period, after the peace treat.
is signed.
Make Embassy Headquarters
1 The president plans to sail 70
4 France soon after congress reconvenes
5 and it was understood that for thi
e reason he desired the leisCrely confer
e ence tonight, covering the broad fiel
' of legislation and other questions. Il
connection with the presidents plan
for transacting his business with a.
= American embassy as headquarters, i
n was understood that he feels there wi
f be little difficulty in regard to legis
o iative questions that arise. If neces
! sary, it was said, the engrossed tex
OF bill could be sent to him by
e courier on a dispatch boat A veto
Il it was said, could be accomplished b
). cable. In the discussion of legislativ
/ questions, it was said that only thos
e of the coming session were considered
" and that no mention was made eithe
0 of republican control of the next con
gress or of an extra session