The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-30
WHAT WILL He SAY?
Speculation as to Contents of
Presidents Message.
WASHINGTON INTERESTED
Roosevelt viii Recommend
Revision of Tariff Schedules.

Washington, Oct. 29.-washington, hav-
ing no local election to occupy its atten-
ton, is now turning to the presidents
forthcoming message to congress as a
subject of speculation and, although. of
course, Mr.. Roosevelt has confded his
intentions to no one aside. perhaps. from
his cabinet officers. a careful collabora-
ton of his and their utterances on various
subjects makes it possible 10 forecast the
presidents views with considerable accur-
acy. There is little doubt but that the
trust and the tariff viii occupy the lead
ing positions in Mr.. Roosevelt's recon-
mendations. 1t is believed that the at
torney general is now engaged on a
measure which will be presented at the
forthcoming session Of congress and
which is designed to perfect the legisla-
ton inaugurated by the Sherman anti
trust bin. It is almost needless to say
that the bin will contain no provisions
inimical to what. in Republican parlance,
are good trusts" 1t will be in line with
the recent recommendations of Mr. Knox
and viii merely supplement the Sherman
law by authorizing legal proceedings
not only against corporations instituted
for the purpose of restricting trade but
also against those which incidentally
take measures calculated to effect that
end. Opinions differ as to what con-
gress viii do with Mr.. Knox's bill but
that it will receive the Endorsement Of
the president is generally conceded.
a most careful canvass of those most
likely to know warrants the statement
that the president will frankly state that
there are tariff schedules which should
he revised. What they are he will not
Indicate, neither will ne advise immedi-
ate revision, but on the contrary he will
recommend that provision be made for
commission of commercial experts to
carefully investigate the situation and
prepare for congress a report on which
a tariff bill may be based during the first
session of the Fifty-eighth congress.
While it may not be embodied in his De-
cember message, Mr.. Roosevelt will urge
congress before taking up a measure
intending to revise the tariff. to announce
definitely and Unequivocally, just what
schedules will be changed and then to
adhere to that statement. BY this means,
he believes that any uncertainty in re-
sard to prices as a result of tariff revi-
sion can be confined TO a few classes or
merchan dise and the general trade need
rot be made to suffer.
That there will be some pertinent sug-
gestions in regard to the anthracite coal
situation is a foregone conclusion, but
whether they are concluded in the fl rst
message or will be made the subject of
q subsequent message will depend upon
the CELEBRITY with which the anthracite
coal strike commission completes this
task before it. Bishop Spalding OF the
commission said that the time which
would be required for the work was vari-
ously estimated at from one to three
months, but he hoped that it would De
completed by the fifteenth of December
at the latest.
The president will, of course, reiterate
his views in regard to the necessity of
reciprocal legislation for Cuba, although
legislation to that end is practically as
sured. The condition of affairs in the
Philippines will be made the basis for
congratulation and it is possible that
some legislation experimenting the Phil
ipine bills of the last session viii be
asked for. especially a new currency pro-
vision. The various insular possessions
will be dealt with at length. Secretary
Shaw is now at work on review of the
financial system of the government with
the hope Of being able to make some con-
crete and feasible recommendations TO
congress and if he succeeds the presi-
cent viii embody them in his message.
The section devoted TO an Isthmian canal
promises to be fun of interest. although
its character will depend on the report
which Attorney General Knox will bring
TO the White House in the course of a
few days. Forest resources and reserva-
tiors, irrigation. ETC. will also be COM
prehensively discussed.