Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-18
PRESIDENT URGES
SPEED IN PASSAGE
OF BUSINESS BILLS
Asks Congressional Leaders
to Cooperate in Rushing
Tariff Measure.
LEGISLATORS ARE GUESTS
AT WHITE HOUSE TODAY
Wants House and Senate to Fol-
low Recent Industry and
Labor Action.

determined effort to get out of the
way quickly all legislation which might
affect business progress h been under
taken by the Hoover administration.
President Hoover laid this plan before
congressional leaders at a breakfast
conference at the White House today.
Hardly had the Senate convened be-
fore the conference claimed attention
on the floor Of that chamber, with SEN
ator Watson, Republican leader, re-
iterating statements by those attending
the gathering that Mr.. Hoover made 1t
clear he wanted the tariff disposed Of
as quickly as possible.
Fresh from a fishing trip to Florida
President Hoover summoned to the
White House the leaders of his party in
the Senate and House and urged them
to show the same spirit OF cooperation
which had been exhibited by business
and labor after the recent decline In
the New York Stock Market.
The tariff bill, pending for months IN
the Senate, was the special topic OF
conversation, and it was emphasized at
the conference that business was Sensl-
tive to delays or uncertainties in such
matters.
Would Speed Bill.
It was understood that conferences
between Republican and Democratic
leaders in the Senate would be held
soon in an effort to speed up procedure
and take advantage of any short cuts
possible under the rules.
Following the breakfast Senator Wat
son declared during the debate: The
President thinks this bill should be
disposed of as quickly as possible in
the interests Of the business OF the
country"
The Indiana Senator also told the
Senate that the President had called
the Republican leaders OF the two
houses to the White House to ask II
t.Iere were any ways in which he could
be helpful in the present situation.
Senator Watson spoke in reply to
critical attack by Senator Pat Harri-
son of MISSISSIPPI. who wanted to know
what had been done and said at the
White House breakfast this morning.
did the President say he would sign
this tariff bill?" demanded Senator
Harrison. What did he say about the
flexible division and the debenture
clauSe?"
SAYS Question Foolish.
"How can the President say whether
he would sign this tariff bill or not?"
replied Senator Watson. mo one
knows what will be the final shape
of the tariff bill when it is sent to
the President. To ask the President
whether he would sign this bill would
be a foolish question"
The Mississippi Senator indicated
that he would not hesitate for a mo-
ment to ask the President whether he
would sign the bill.
Senator Watson said that all the
breakfast guests, who included himself
leader; Senator Smoot of Utah, chair
man of the finance committee; Speaker
Longworth, Majority Leader Ttson,
Representative Hawley, chairman of the
ways and means committee, and Rep
resentative Smell, chairman of the
rules committee, came away imbued
with a spirit Ito pass a tariff bill that
would be amply protective OF American
labor and American capital where
capital needed protection"
At the breakfast conference the PreSi-
dent was informed by the congressional
leaders in regard to the legislative situ-
alton. He was told that the tariff bill
probably would be passed in the Senate
by March 10 and then sent to confer
ence; that it would be reported from
conference within a few weeks there
after and sent to him for his approval
in April. He was assured that every
thing possible would be done to expedite
the tariff bill and other legislation
which is awaiting action.
Supply Bills Delayed.
Because of the delay over the tariff
bill, the annual supply bills of the Gov
eminent, many of which have already
passed the House and have been sent
TO the Senate, have been held up. The
President has been exercised because
of the legislative jam in the Senate.
There was some discussion at the
White House conference regarding a
possible 3O-day recess by the House
while the Senate catches up with the
work. II is understood, however, that
the proposal was abandoned and It was
determined to continue as usual in the
House for the present. II necessary
later the House may take three-day re-
cesses. No discussion was had on the
prohibition program at the White House
conference.
There was some talk, however Of the
opposition in the Senate which arose
to the confirmation Of the appointment
Of Chief Justice Hughes. Republican
leaders Of the Senate asserted that they
believed they followed the proper course
when they did not stage series OF