The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-17
TAFT POLICY RAISES 0UTCRY.
PROTEST IN CABINET AGAINST
FOREIGN CANAL SUPPLIES
And Government Buying ships-Fear That
Twill Help Democrats and Socialists
p liticalIy-Doctrine Of Protection
yioiated-Congress May Interfere.

'IWIl ouu SuCIuhsNS
p IiticalIy-DoctrIne Of Protection
Violated Congress May Interfere.
WASHINGTON, May 1G.-There IL a serious
difference of opinion in the Cabinet in re-
gard to the policy Of purchasing supplies
for the Panama Canal in other countries
than the United States and the buying
of steamships to operate in connection
with the Panama Railroad, which ia now
the property of the Government. The dis
agreement was emphasized at the meeting
OF the Cabinet to-day.
The trouble began when Secretary Taft
announced that the Canal Commission
would purchase materials for the canal
where it could purchase them cheapest,
whether in this country or abroad. and that
two more steamers would be bought for use
on the run between New York and Colon.
The objections raised by some of the
members Of the Cabinet are not based
only on the desire to protect American
manufacturers and American shipowners
from foreign competition, but also, as they
believe, on the fact that the Administration
would be playing into the hands of Demo-
Gratis and Socialists by following out the
Taft policy. The opposition was tersely
expressed by one Of the highest officials
Of the Government to-day when he said:
III this Government is going to operate
not only a railroad, but q steamship line,
and "a going to compete with private car
riers, although we may save million dollars
on freight and lose two millions on pur-
chases Of ships. God help lis in the next
campaign, when the Socialists and the
Democrats with socialistic tendencies
raise the cry of Government ownership
OF all public utilities!'
Some OF the members OF the Cabinet
have within the last two days taken &C.
casion to demonstrate individually with
the President against carrying out the
policy announced by Secretary Taft. 1t
has been made clear that the opposition
IA even more seriously concerned over
what they call the socialistic tendencies
Of the Taft policy than over the apparent
inconsistency Of this policy with the doc
trne Of protection.
Secretary Taft said to-day that he had
not changed his mind about the desir-
ability of buying machinery and other
material for the canal work where they
could be bought to the best advantage.
or about the necessity of buying ships
for the trade between New York and Colon.
He would not discuss the political features
OF the case.
On Secretary Taft's side Of the contro-
versy it was eaid to-day that he was merely
taking the present course in regard to the
purchase Of supplies for the canal in order to
put 1t up to Congress.
In his report to the President on Jan. II,
Secretary Taft said:
An important question Of policy Is yet
to he determined. II the isthmian canal
commissioners are not bound by any re-
striction OF Congress as to how they shall
purchase machinery, materials and supplies.
then 1t would seem to be their duty to con-
struct the canal az cheaply as possible and
80 to buy what they need where they can
get 1t the cheapest
This, however, Is certain to produce
every time thata large contract is awarded
TO foreign manufacturer or dealer an out
cry on the part of the unsuccessful American
competitors. If Congress approves the
policy Of giving all contracts to American
manufacturers and dealers. even il it in
Creasee the cost OF the construction of the
canal. 1t seems to me only just that it should
declare this policy by law and lay down
rule which the commission can easily
follow
Congress took no action on this sug-
gestion, but now that the Canal Commission
Is about to carry out the policy of treating
American and foreign manufacturers and
contractors on the same footing a number
of Senators and Representatives have not
been slow to express their dispeasure.
Representative Grosvenor Of Ohio. for
years a leading member Of the Ways and
Means Committee Of the House, said to-day:
This proposition to buy ships abroad
Ia the result Of our laggard policy in refer
enoe TO the building up Of the American
merchant marine. Our Presidents have
never taken hold of the subject with vigor.
Here at this time the very vitals Of the
country are being stirred over the ques-
ton OF lower railroad rates when our
rates are now lower than those of Ger
many and some other countries. l wish
that we could be as much interested in the
building up Of the American merchant
marine.
Referring to the proposition to buy canal
supplies abroad, Mr.. Grosvenor said:
The country would rather pay little
more for something that Is made at home,
furnishing employment for our working
men and giving them better pay than
their neighbors abroad, II the Government
is to be the complainant against the prices
that are the result OF this employment Of
American labor at American wages it will
certainly furnish theme for some very
interesting deliberations over the tariff"
Judging from the stir that has been caused
among Republican members Of Congress
by Secretary Taft's announcement in re-
gard to the purchase Of canal supplies,
there il believed to be some likelihood that
the legislation suggested In Mr.. Tafts
report last January will be enacted next
winter