The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-17
BIC CHIEFS.
Of PARTY
NEE 7
Wilson, McAdoo, and Bryan
Confer on Democratic
Program.

International NEWS service.
A number OF informal confer
ences that may have an important
bearing on the Democratic cam
paign for the Presidency in 1924 are
being held in Washington this
week, participated in by no less
distinguished ages than
woodrow Wilson, William Gibbs
McAdoo, William Jennings Bryan.
and leading Democrats in Con-
gress.
No program 10 being followed.
Apparently the conversations in
progress "just happened So but
they nevertheless are regarded by
politicians today as highly import
ant I, from the standpoint Of the
Democratic party. now out OF power
in all branches Of the Government,
and to great extent disorEanized
and leaderless.
McAdoO Guest Of wilson.
McAdoo is house guest OF his
father.in.Iaw in o street. Bryan
just "happened" into Washington.
he said. at the time Of McAdoo's
visit-the first time the ex-Secre-
tary Of the Treasury has visited
the Capital since he changed his
official residence from New York
to California.
Both Bryan and McAdoo assured
all questioners that their presence
in Washington at this time has to
do entirely with personal and private
business. It was noted, however, that
this private business took them to
the Capitol to see virtually all the
Democratic leaders in Congress dur
ing the first forty-eight hours of their
visits here.
One of the first results OF the con-
versations in progress 10 expected to
be Q decided stiffening OF the Demo
cratic minority in favor Of an extra
session of Congress soon after March
4, The Democrats are going to be
numerically powerful in the Sixty.
eighth Congress, and they want to
take advantage Of that fact.
Will Let Congress Rest.
It is President Hardings present
intention to send Congress home for
a long rest Immediately after March
4. Unless an extra session IL called,
Congress will not meet until next
December-only a few months before
the primary campaign opens up for
the Presidency fight in 1924.
Unless Congress is in session, poll.
tics will be virtually dead" SO far
as publicity is concerned, and it il
on publicity that campaigns are
builded.
A legitimate excuse can be found
for urging an extra session, 1t was
pointed out. because of the fact the
present Congress has done nothing
to relieve the railroad situation, to
which President Harding devoted
the larger part OF his annual mes
sage some weeks ago. Also there
are such issues az agricultural re-
lief, funding of the international
debts, tax revision, the soldier
bonus and numerous less important
issues.
Count on Progressive Aid.
In urging an extra session, the
Democrats already are assured of
the support of the so-called pro.
greSsive bloc" headed by Senator
La Toilette, and including the new.
Neglected. Republican "progressives"
from Western States.
The conferences also have de.
veloped a feeling on the part of the
Democratic leaders that they do not
want to be represented on the
American debt funding commission.
despite the fact a Democratic bill
is now pending providing for such
representation.
If Democrats go on the commits,
sion, McAdoo has pointed out. then
the Democrats automatically as.
sumo their share of responsibility
for whatever agreement I is reached.
and would be enjoined from CRITICS,
Ing the Republican adjustment of
war debts.
Plan Caucus Next Month.
Senator Underwoods defense of
the arms conference treaties, he,
cause OF his membership on the
American commission, caused a
split In the Democratic minority
that has not yet healed and the
Democratic sages do not want to
see that condition OF affairs again
brought about by Democratic mem.
bership on the Debt Commission.
The Democratic leaders want to feel
free to attack If they desire; thew
do not want their hands tied