The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-01
Secretary Taft and tho Canal Policy
as to Purchases.

Duty compels us to call attention tc
the fragrant case Of the Commercial
Appeal Of Memphis, which is misrepre.
senting facts and discrediting journalism
in the manner we now exhibit.
Our Memphis contemporary Is among
those newspapers which are accusing the
President and the Secretary OF War OF
having been frightened by the clamor OF
the protected interests from position
they took, boldly and definitely, several
weeks ago with regard to the purchase
of canal supplies in the foreign market.
The Commercial Appeal depicts Mr..
ROOSEVELT as "tucking his head be-
meath the wing of Congress" 1t an
nounces that our strenuous President"
has been forced by the high tariff animal
to seek safety in this ignominious
manner" Secretary TAFT, according to
the same authority, is doing his best to
extricate himself and President RoosE-
WELT from the distressing moral tangle
they have thrown about themselves in
recanting the good resolutions to pur-
chase canal supplies in tho cheapest
market"
All this Is we'll enough, for it is all gen.
erality and rhetoric, and if it pleases the
Commercial Appeal to regard the Presi-
dent and the Secretary as political cow
ards, in shameful retrogression, nobody
is damaged. 1t is more specific offense
against honest journalism which that
newspaper has committed.
On Friday last, at the dinner Of the
Cincinnati Commercial Club, Secretary
TAFT. according to the Commercial
Appeal, followed in the retreating foot
steps of the President by saying
Now. II Congress wants to pay more than
France was willing to pay, then they are welcome
to do but In the absence of rule we feel we must
carry GU, the rule tina, applies. That rule requires
that, the prices and quality being the same. we must
buy American goods. In the absence OF a rule,
we feel bound by our trust 10 build as cheaply AS
possible.
We submitted the question to Congress on this
line. asking Congress to lay down a rule. II there
Is no rule we must build as a business man would
build. Now. there Is no question OF protection or
free trade: II Is merely our duty under tho law as
1t stands. II the rule or law Is changed, then we
must change"
These remarks the Memphis culprit
offers as evidence of backdown on the
part of the Secretary and his principal.
1t pretends to contrast this "amazing"
willingness to refer the whole question
to Congress with the previous position
of the Administration on the same SUBJ
ject; and this alleged previous position
is described by the Commercial Appeal
as follows:
When the announcement was nrst made to the
country there were no conditions whatever at
tached. The President simply declared 1t to be
his solemn duty to purchase these supplies where
he could get them cheapest and that his authority
to do this rested in tho fact that the operations re-
qulrng these purchases were located outside the
great tariff wall that shuts in the people OF the
United States"
Now, says the Commercial Appeal, the
President is seeking safety in an igno-
minious manner by tucking his head be.
meath the wing of Congress, while Secre-
tary TAFT is following in the retreating
footsteps of the President" by announ-
cling that the determination of the ques-
ton of policy rests with the Legislative
Department
Yet the truth ia that almost five months
ago, In an official communication trans
mitted to Congress by the President,
the Secretary of War said precisely the
same thing that is now offered by the
Commercial Appeal in its extract from
the Cincinnati speech, as proof of his
terrified retreat from former position.
This is what Mr.. TAFT said On Jan
IL, 1905:
An important question OF policy Is yet 10 be
determined II the 1sthmian Canal Commissioner,
are not bound by any restriction of Congress a.
to how they shall purchase machinery. material,
and supplies then 1t would seem to be their duty
TO construct the canal as cheaply as possible and
so to buy what they need where they can get the
cheapest.
This. however, Is certain TO produce. every time
that large contract Is awarded TO foreign manu-.
fActurer or dealer. an outcry on the part Of the
unsuccessful American competitors. II Congress
approves the policy Of giving all contracts to Amer
can manufacturers and dealers. even II II increases
the cost Of the construction Of the canal It seems