The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-27
LAYING OUT The
CAMPAIGN WORK
Mr.. Shaw on the Tariff, the Presi-
dent on Trusts, Root on
Imperialism.
The President Said to Have Reviewed
Mr.. shaw's Tariff Speech
Carefully. ,
The Time Not Considered 0pportune
to Take Up That Great
Disturber. zs
WuaAJ7a1fo,s.

Building, Wasatnatoss. =,
Washington, Aug. 27.-True to the plan
announced some time ago. Secretary
Shaw In his campaign speeches thus far
has confined himself to the tariff while
the president in his round of speech-mak-
Ing in New England has paid more atten-
tion to the trusts. 1t is presumed that
Secretary Root, after his return home, will
take the stump and give us something
about the Philippines and imperialism. In
thls way the people are to know in de-
tail the administration views on all Of
these great questions 1t is already ap-
parent that so far as the tariff is con-
cerned the administra tion policy, as out
lined by Secretary Shaw, is not radical
enough to suit the western states, al
though it will ultimately be recognized as
striking happy mean between the views
of that section and Of the ultra protec-
zionist east. The president is president
or the entire country. and obviously does
not care to commit himself unnecessarily.
He thinks that the time has come when
there should be some amendment of the
tariff law, but as president he must take
into account the conflicting state of pub
lie sentiment, and not lend himself too
far to either side of the controversy in his
official utterances or In those of his cab
met officers.
Secretary Shaw's tariff addresses in
New England, which have been so dis
| appointing in the west, I am able to saw
| on the highest authority, were reviewed
by the president prior to their delivery.
Read in connection with this statement
| 1t is easy to understand that the chances
| for message to congress recommending
| revision are rather remote. Indeed the
| subject may not be mentioned at all, and
II mentioned, 1t may be in a purely formal
manner. The president is not willing to
| of f~r
plunging his party into a redhot contro-
versy on tariff questions. Later on he
may take decided stand, but it Is begin
ming to be apparent that he thinks the
present moment is not opportune. y.
+ So far as the presidents own speeches
are concerned, they do not thus far indi-
cate any new arguments pro OF con on
| the trust question. He has been handling
the question very diploma tically, with
| gloves SO to speak, and seems content
to wait until the courts have tested the
sufficiency of the present laws before
urging action at the hands of congress. II
the New England speeches are any in
dex Of the presidents intentions so far as
| his. message in: December is concerned,
| they show that he VIII discuss the trust
question In that fdocurne emit carefully and
! refrain from making any new recon-
mendations as to legislation.
/ This, perhaps, is the best thing that
|
presidential campaign is coming on. Rad
ical action at the hands of congress, or
a presidential recommendation: of such &C.
tion, might stir up a great confusion in
the business world, especially II, as may
happen, the courts hold the present laws
sufficient. In advance of decisions in the
beef trust and the railway merger, cases
the president is believed to be in favor OF
the exercise of caution.
incidentally, this policy of conservatism
is astonishing the people of the east, who
have been referring to Roosevelt fol
months as "broncho buster" and pre-
dieting that before the end of his term
he would have the entire country by the
ears, both as to the tariff and as to the
; trusts. 1t will be worth a good deal, sc
far as the moral effect on the 1904 cam
paign is concerned, to have these eastern
ers convicted as false prophets. But
whatever the presidents reasons. he is
doing nothing at present, either through
Secretary Shaw or in person. to make
good the predictions of his Wall street
enemies.
w. w. eJermane.