Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-23
ATTACK ON PRESIDENT
His Course Against the
Trusts
CAUSED A SENSATION
MADE POLITICIANS I'M THE CITY
GASP.
Regarded as Throwing Down the Gage
of Defiance by Influential Finan-
cial Interests.

Considerable comment has been caused in
political and official circles of Washington
by the publication in the New York Sun
yesterday of an attack upon President
Roosevelt for his course against the trusts.
In a triple-leaded editorial of more than a
column in length the Sun lambasted the
President In the most approved style of
caustic invective often used by that news
paper. 5'7-
Beginning with the assertion that the
President was, above all other things,
politician, and was bending every effort to
secure denomination. the editorial went
on to say that President Roosevelt had, in
his attacks upon wealth, exceeded the wild
est threats Of Organism and populism. The
editorial compared the President with En-
peror William and with Napoleon, conclud
ing with the statement that while Napoleon
had moved down the mob In front of the
Tuileries, Napoleon had not invited the
mob to the Tuileries.
publican politicians of the capital to gasp,
for while 1t was known that such things
had been said about the President in GER
tain financial circles of the east, the open
paper in question was regarded by admin
nstration republicans as the throwing
down of gage of defiance and aggreS-
sion by influential financial interests.
Made a Sensation.
There is no doubt the editorial attracted
attention and made sensation. Copies of
the paper could not be bought at the news
stands after the noon hour. Republicans
read the editorial with various expressions
and exclamations, but even some of those
who said "Ain't it a shame" said it with
the half-smlle of Satisfaction with which
one deplores a neighbor S misfortune. The
Presidents enemies said, well, 1t was COM
ing to him and they passed him a hot one
that time"
Upon serious consideration the politicians
began to figure what the attack might
indicate in its bearing upon national poll
tics. Did it mean, for instance, that the
financial interests which regard the Presi-
dent as an enemy will carry their opposition
to him to the point Of transferring their
votes and power to the democratic candi-
date for President In case Roosevelt is re-
nominated? . 49,
That was the main question asked. Re-
publican politicians do not figure on the
basis of Mr.. Rooseve4tss uefeat for renomi-
nation. They concede Sis renomina ton,
and with that fore-concluded fact as point
of departure steer their course accordingly.
The statement has been, made more than
once that the financial interests of the east
would rather have a democrat of approved
conservatism, such as Cleveland or Cor
man, in the presidential chair than to risk
another term of President Roosevelt, The
only trouble would bethat the election of
democratic President might carry the cleo
ton Of democratic House and some demo-
cratic state legislatures. The big industrial
corpora tons are not ready to risk even half
a democratic administration soon again.
So the belief Of the Presidents friends
has been that the talk. Of the trusts turning
to democratic candidate was more to
frighten the present occupant of the presi-
her
l he president is regarded by many as emo
uonal, quick to act and receptive of sug-
gestions; perhaps. they think, he might be
hagged down in his onrushing course and
prevented from rear-end collision with
the interests on the main line.
Guided by His Friends.
Close friends of the President say that he
IS not the headstrong person that some
imagine him to be; that on the contrary he
| Is at this moment in the hands Of the most
skillful advisers in the republican party,
veterans of statesmanship and politics. and
is willing to be guided by them.
1t Is known to some politicians that be-
fore President Roosevelt left for his west
ern trip he conferred with some of the
graypeards or his party upon the speeches
he was to make on his trip Several hours
were spent one evening around the Presi-
cent table, and every speech was read to
that group, the President not only asking
thelr opinion upon the sentiments, but MAX
Ing changes In accordance with unanimous
suggestions offered. e.
1t is further fact that the President has
yielded his own opinions to the elders of his
party on the point OF tariff revision. He
was ready, upon coming into Office to meet
the demand for revision, but he has been
ADVISED by wary leaders, both east and
west to avoid that course in advance of
presidential campaign. 1t was suggested
10 MN that 1t would be dangerous to offer
the least bar to the steadily rising tide of
prosperity, and he has followed the advice
given him.
His friends claim that the trusts are un-
ouly apprehensive; that he is not going to
run amuck against the trusts. He has too
many good advisers at his elbow for that
| IT his own inclinations were not enough.
BUT the trusts say, Look at what he did in
the Northern Securities case
Wall Street Got No "Tip."
Well, 1t is true that the President did
steal march on the boys in that case He
acted without consulting any one, proof of
which is the fact that Wall Street failed
to get a tip of what was impending, an
absolutely unprecedented occurrence. But
1t is said. the President will be good in the
future and will not jolt the financial world
| In such way again. r
the publication of the editorial above re-
| 1erred to, coming at q time when republi-
can politics in New York Is all split up
anyhow, Is likely, it Is said, to cause the
Presldents friends thaught, and as soon as
the PRESIDENT gets back from the west some
| republicans, OF whom Mr. Roosevelt is one,
may be eXpected