Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-07-18
WASHINGTON GOSSIP

A COSBY LETTER REGARDING
LEGISLATION AND OTHER MAT
TIERS.
Senator Patterson made a great til
rade against the provision of the
Philippines bill, which he claimed
would allow of the operation of large
plantations on the islands. The bill
very properly, we believe, makes it
possible for an organized company to
secure title to sufficient land to oper-
ate a large. plantation, by a right-of-
purchase lease, but the final title de-
ponds ~aupon&the actual cultivation and
improvement of the land. This is pre-
cisely what the islands need most
that7American enterprise should go in
to them and establish plantations
which would bring thither capital,
transportation, and industry. But aft
er all the whole matter, even under the
restrictions provided by the act, is left
within the discretion and Judgment of
the Philippine commission under the
president. In the meantime, the natives
have the preference in the disposition
of the public lands, and, as a matter
of fact, there are thousands of acres of
reservations today known as barios
near each town, of absolutely free
land, where any native can go and
squat and make his home forever.
While he is so zealously guarding the
natives from the rapacty of the white
man. Senator Patterson should not
overlook the fact that what will bring
the greatest prosperity and most assur-
ed peace to the islands is the advent
of American capital and industry, as
surfing good wages. the creation of tax
able property, and cheap transporta-
ton for farm products.
Secretary Moody, of the navy de-
partment, is a~nother~one of the strenu-
GUS type of public officials. He is car
rying on a species of reorganization in
his department which is not much rel
ished by some of the members of the
navy who have heretofore enjoyed soft
things. There is need of more officers
at sea. The briny deep, it seems, is the
legitimate habitat of naval officers
though some of the favored ones have
fallen into the belief that long periods
of shore duty and social engagement
constitute the line of duty. The sec
rotary, however, proposes to reduc
the number of naval officers nov
ashore at least twenty per cent.
The presidents attitude on the trus
question is attracting unusual atten
, ton. Representative Littlefield, Q
Maine, it is announced, will introduc
> a bill providing for effective trust con
= troll which will have the support. of tn
administration. The president regard
the trust question as a thoroughly liv
issue-a problem ready for immediat
solution, and it is stated that he ca
be depended upon to push the measu1
with all the strength of his admins
tration. His ~earnestness in the matte
is not to be mistaken. and if congress
concludes likewise there is good pro:
4 pect for the enactment of anti-tru!
legislation next winter.
In undertaking this course, the pres
dent is, of course, a~ntagonizing powe
full influences. He knows that tt
great business interests regard his a
s titude with misgiving. and he is fran
in saying that he has no intention
v keeping 'hands off," but at the san
time he tells those about him that
will support any legislatic
,, which can possibly bring about an,
thing in the nature of a business PAM
:. President Roosevelt's penchant fl
taking outdoor exercise is no illusio
Horseback riding and tramping are tt
favorite modes. He goes on such tri]
in clothes that have seen service, al
he returns in a condition Of dust al
Precipitation such as no president h;
ever before during this generatio
Shortly before leaving Washington f
his Fourth of July Grafton at Pittsbu.
he took a long country tramp Wi
General Wood and Colonel Scott. 4
1.-the three men came out of the ter
porary White House to start on the
walk, the president noticed that &c
eral Wood was wearing a pair OF spo
Iesa white duck trousers and immac