New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-18
PANAMA ORDER STANDS.
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
Believes His Actiop VIII Help to
Bring about Tariff Read justment.
rFRoM THE TRIBUNE sUREKU.l


Washington. May 17-President Roosevelt IN
sists on the most favored nation clause for
the United States, and the manufacturers OF the
country will have to accord that treatment to
the government in so far purchases made for
the Panama Canal are concerned-at least until
Congress can pass a law compelling the COM
mission to pay domestic prices for supplies The
vehement and numerous protests Of disappoint-
ed manufacturers and indignant "stand-pat-
ters'-even those within the Cabinet-are not
having the slightest effect on the President. IN
less possibly, it be to satisfy him that the pol
icy on which he and Secretary Taft have de-
termined is so stirring up the tariff question as
to insure extended consideration Of the recon-
mendations for readjustment which he purposes
TO eInbody in his Message TO Congress next fall
The President takes the position that had
France continued to construct the Panama
Canal American manufacturers would nave
been glad to accord TO that country their Iuu
foreign discount Were Great Britain conduct
ing the enterprise.-the same would 5s----J22e~- 5s-- -J22e~-
Even now, when Great BT1tlh undertakes the
construction of a railroad in any of her pos
sessions, American manufacturers scramble over
each other in their efforts TO give her their most
generous discounts. Now that the United States
has undertaken great and costly enterPris'
manufacturers who are loyal and patriotic VIII
gladly grant to their own country the most
favored nation" treatment. and others will have
to do so.
WILL NOT CALL TAFT OFF"
Several members of the Cabinet have gone to
the President and begged him to call Iaft OH
but the foregoing IS sample Of the consolation
they receive. Secretaries Shaw wilson dHI
Metcalf deplore the decision OF the FreslueH-
and the Secretary of War Every other Lile'No.I
Of the Cabinet who is in Washington heaFuy
by-r he
Tho President is determined 70 carry the war
into the stronghold of the trusts and compel
the apostIes Of high prices TO come to a reailza-
ton of their obligations to the folks at nome
He is convinced that the people Will understand
that this policy S merely another step III Tue
progress of his campaign against rapaclouS
combinations which have hoisted prices OF do
nestle goods far above the point warranted oy
the wages they pay 70 American workmen and
which are now bringing every possible influence
to bear to defeat that readjustment OF the tGrit
schedules which the President regards as essen
tiaI to a square deal 10 all American citizens.
Moreover the President believes that this de-
cision will serve TO call the attention Of the great
mass of the people TO the absolute necessity OF
that readjustment Of the tariff schedules for
which he contends
OBJECT LESSON FOR TRUSTS.
raagnates to q realization of their debt 20 the
people OF this country" said a close friend os
the President. in commenting on the situation
TO-DAY and will accomplish that result even az
the risk Of bringing storm about his eors He
wishes TO make Congress act on the tariff ques-
tio1 and the sooner they take action the better
he Will like il. There viii be very few sup
plies. relatively speaking. purchased by the
Canal Commission between and the time
r,aarS The President homes how
ever. that enough will be bought to serve as an
object lesson 70 the country ON the subject in
hand For instance. he believes il is little short
of criminal tor the big manufacturers 10 charge
the home consumers a third more OF double the
price for goods that is charged the people q
Europe The high protection gentlemen will
probably cry out loudly over what they viii
term an outrage perpetrated on the American
workman but the people at large will under
stand who is perpetrating that outrage II is
the man who is selling the product of their
labor for twice what it is worth here az home
and still making good profits on the sales
abroad The President expects TO receive calls
from a great many protesting maguateS Of the
marty before this thing is Settled but you may
accent il as straight tip that he viii not re-
cade one inch from his stand. To sum Up tas
Presidents sentiments in the case, he Is de-
ternined that the hogs shall take their feet
ont of the trough and he demands that the
I-nitad States government, when it becomes
purchaser of goods shall be treated as the most
favored nation.