Middletown transcript., 1902-10-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Oct. 2Oth,


the subject, Mr.. Roosevelt's political
advisers deprecated his proposition.
They said he would accomplish nothing
and would make enemies for himself
and his party, that even if he secured
the consent Of both parties to arbitration,
it would possibly fall to him to name the
arbitrators and that he could not dc
with making enemies; he had no legal
right to interfere and he had better abs
tain from adding to his responsibilities.
To all of which, Mr. Roosevelt replied
that he could not contemplate the ap-
palling prospect of the continuance of
the strike into the winter months, with
the terrible and widespread suffering
which must ensure, and feel that he was
doing his duty as the chosen representa-
tive of the people without at least max
ing an effort to eliminate the struggle.
~
The history Of his efforts is known, in
cluding the tact with which he con-
Quoted the meeting of the opponents,
the gentleness with which he received
the accusations Of the railway presidents,
that he was not doing his duty because
he had not sent federal troops to protect
their interests, the earnestness with
which he pursued his efforts, even after
the first conference failed, the courage
with which he insisted that the operators
permit him to add labor leader to the
list of arbitrators and the pursuasiveness
with which he led Mitchell to accept the
arbitration commissions he had selected.
The whole goes to make up one of the
most creditable chapters in the history
of long line of republican administra-
tions and demonstrates beyond cavil the
excellent judgment of the President of
the United States.
~
Everyone seems confident that the
commission Mr.. Roosevelt has selected
will ascertain the facts and adjudicate the
contentious with perfect impartiality.
Under the rules which will govern the
proceedings of the arbitrators two
thirds vote will be required on every
mooted question and their findings will
bind both miners and operators for a
period of at least three years, it is to be
hoped much longer.
~
BY his close attention to the coal strike,
the President has forfeited the short
period of rest he hoped to secure at Oys-
ter Bay before it became Mt cessity to pre-
pare his message to Congress. Mrs.
Roosevelt has been compelled to 60 to
Long Island without him. While there
she will close the summer home and
will soon return with the children to
Washington. Every effort is being made
to complete the new office building
which will be used by the president SO
that he may have the use of the entire
building known as the temporary White
House for residence purposes, after his
family returns and for the remaining
two months which it will take to COM
plete the renovation of the White House
proper.
~
Although determined to do so only as
q last resort, the Secretary of the Trea-
surer has finally been compelled to re-
sort to the purchase of bonds as means
to relieve the money stringency which is
now claimed to be general. The bonds
which are now being purchased are not
due until 1925 and the Treasury is paying
at the rate of 1879 to induce the holders
to part with them. It is anticipated that
sufficient bonds will be cashed at this
figure to draw out Of the Treasury $685.
100000 When this purchase shall have
been completed Secretary Shaw will have
released from the Treasury approximately
$47, 10000 and procured an increased
bank circulation of $15, ,OO0,O 900, thus add
ing to the available circulation of the
country about 100000.
~
The campaign throughout the country
is progressing most satisfactorily Chair
man Babcock was in Washington last
week and was seen by your correspons
dent. He said he had every reason to
feel hopeful. The republican members
of both houses Of Congress are taking a
most active interest in the work and are
speaking in all parts of the country,
wherever directed by the Congressional
Committee. The members of the Cabi-
net are also lending every possible assis-
tance. The news received from Califor-
mia is most encouraging. Represents.
tive Littlefeld is doing good work for
the party in that direction. He is, by
the way, being introduced in many in
stances as the next Speaker, title which
Uncle Joe Cannon would hardly sane
ton.
~
Many Republican speakers pass through
Washington on their way back and forth
aud all tell the same tale of Democratic
disorganization. They say that the abb
ieet failure of the Philippine question 10
make popular issue, followed now by
the settlement of the coal strike, leaving
the New York Democratic platform
lone monument to Democratic demagog-
ism, have had most depressing effect on
the Democratic workers and it is not sur
prising that the Congressional Committee
is complaining because it cannot secure
spellbinders. The Democrats do not
know where they stand. Hill, the
leader IN New York, is vigorously advo-
eating socialism. Coler, the candidate
for governor, has repudiated the plat
form. In Illinois, the campaign com. |
mittee has practically confessed itself
bankrupt and numerous state committees
oould confess the same with equal truth. |
Even the trust issue has paled into in.
significance. In view of the Attorney