The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-30
CURRENT AFFAIRS AT WASHINGTON.
Roosevelt and His Message Cleveland
Letter and the New York Newspapers.
Ry c. Arthur wllliams.)


hts message and Il has been placed 10
printed form ready for delivery to congress
m Tuesday next. public interest In the at
titudc Of the chief executive on the ques-
lion Of the tariff and trusts has grown even
s-vster man BEFORE. The statement that
snere was a split In the cabinet over the
matter and that the president wished 10
get the views Of as many leading repub-
iicans as possible before completing those
portions Of the message relating 20 the
tariff and the trusts, Indicated that the ex-
pected Sight between the two factions Of
the party was already on and that Mr..
Roosevelt was being made aware Of that
fact IN "A uncertain way.
Because OF the widely divergent views Of
those with whom the president conferred.
and on account Of his we'll known propen.
atty 20 change his mind frequently ana
materially, there Is naturally much doubt
as to what the message will really con-
tain. AS has been frequently stated, the
president and four members Of his cabinet
Hre-or were a few days ago. when the
last authoritative information was secured
ANXIOUS TO make a great show Of ami
mostly against the trusts, TO recommend all
sorts Of drastic antitrust leglsotiu nud
TO in every way create the impression that
the administration is seriously DESTROYS Of
controlling or regulating the monopolies.
The other faction, beaded by four other
members OF the cabinet, think that econ
serTativc" course should be pursued This
faction realizes that any antitrust senti-
ment in the message would be as ''tinkling
cymbsis and sounding brass" so far as any
tangible results are concerned, but II fears
that the trust msgnates might not look at
the matter in that light and that, al
though they might feel sure that they
would not be disturbed, they would resent
the warfare" made against them ns tend
Ing 10 add to the prevailing hostility on
the part OF the public.
~
Despite the considerable amount Of un.
certainty surrounding the matter. there is
n well defined Impression that the president
has largely Ind HIS own way and that the
Forthcoming message viii contain recon-
mendations FOR legislation looking 20 the
regulation Of the trusts IN line with the
various speeches he has made on the sub
jet II is thought that congress Will be
asked 20 pass laws to prevent ovcrcapltal.
ization, to bring about more publicity, rem
der discrimination In prices impossible, TO
largely Increase the responsibility OF Off
GERS and directors. 10 do away with the
tendency toward monopoly and TO protect
the rights OF the people. All OF this will
look very nice in print, no doubt, and II the
trusts do their part and refrain from let
ting their angry passions rise because Of
the presidents warfare" will doubtless
be calculated to help the republican party
IN the eyes Of the people. Later, when the
party has failed 90 carry olt the recon-
mendations IN question, or when the laws
ra "a -
be Ineffective, the people may take q dir.
fcrent view Of the matter. But that the
president will make a bid for their favor
IN the direction indicated is regarded as a
practical certainty by many well informed
persons.
One man, a republican and a ffiend OF
the president who Is generally credited
with some inside information In the prem
ises, thus outlines the probable nature OF
the antitrust recommendations:
Ihe remedies TO be suggested viii en-
body requirements upon corporations to do
business In every State and locality upon
precisely the same terms and conditions;
prohibition OF discrimination IN prices and
preference In service; requirements upon
public carriers to keep the avenues OF
commerce free aud open 20 all upon the
same terms md requirement upon cor
porations upon which the people depend FOR
the necessaries OF life TO conduct their
reasonably
supply the public needs The president's
recommendations furthermore, will fol,
low. to some extent. the language OF his
last message upon the subject Of which
II VIII be remembered publicity and su.
rervision OF trusts. with full and accurate
Information As e their operations, was the
light shed upon them by the attorney gen,
eral; the president will hold, can be accom-
amendments TO Tho Sherman antit Tust inv
Ihe presiderl VIII urge congress to con
slider this subject with the view to the en-
actfnent OF legislation which viii regulate
the trusts without endanpcring the Indus,
tries In which they are engaged
~
The impression prevails that the prcsI
dent has not changed his views on the
subject 81 Cuban reciprocity. II Is thought
likely. therefore, that he win include II
tho message n recommendation that the
right commenced by the adminstrationisti
last session be kent up and WIN suggest
the ratification Of the reciprocity treaty
which will probably he presented unies,
the present unfavorahle situation In Cub,
becomes more acute, Such recommended
tlon would probably moan the renewal ot
the fight which wagcd so bitterly last win
ter. as there Is no reason TO doubt that
those who opposed reciprocity then vii
continue along the lines they have already
marked out 50 plainly.
The president is expected to call ntten
tion to the satisfactory" condition Of M
fairs IN "ouT insulnr possessions and I,
make recommendations for better cur
rcney system in the Philippines Tie is OK
pected also 20 touch on the matters o
banking and currency reform and to sur
gest legislation calculated to do away VIII
the necessity for periodical "relief'' from
the treasury department IN order 70 kee,
the Wall street spectators from losin,
money, some Of which might otherwise e,
10 the people.
There Is little doubt that the nresiden
will Improve the opportunity 70 throw
bouquets ut himself because Of his ailere,
settlement Of the coal strike and IN tina
connection make certain Recommendation
omhodying a general arbitration scheme.
Considerable attention viii probably b
paid 20 the isthmian canal matter. A spe
ciai chapter viii probably be devoted I
that subject, IN which WIN be Included Az
torney General Knox's report on the lega
status OF the Panama company ana re
port from the secretary OF state on III
progression rather lack Of progress o.
the negotiations with Colombia.
It is expected that the president vii