The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-11
ROOSEVELT, THRU
TAFT, WARNS ROADS
Presidents Stand on Rate Cues
ton Shown Up by Secretary
Morton Rebuked.
New York Sun Special Service.

new OK sun special cerVlCe. s...f
Washington, May 1.-THE speech
egates Of the international railway
congress last night has been the sensa-
ton of the day, not only among the
railroad men themselves, but among all
classes of Washington life. There is
reason why it should have attracted so
much attention.
It was inspired. if not ordered, by
no less person than President Roose-
welt himself. It was ordered for a dis
created among the railroad men by a
speech made by Secretary Morton on
May to the members of the Ameri-
can Railway Guild. That impression
is that the president has weakened on
the rate-regulation proposition, or, at
least is willing to change his policy
with respect thereto.
Real Purpose of President.
The impression created by the adj
dress of the secretary of the navy and
the clear declarations of the secretary
of war contradict each other so directly
that there can be no doubt as to the
purpose of the president in having the
secretary Of war engage in an -: i'm n
the head of the American section of
the railway congress, right in the pres
ence Of the men who have most to do
with the practical operation of the rail
roads.
The president meant, in the vernacu-
lar, to "throw down. his secretary Of
the navy, and to do it in such a way
as to make the public understand that
the views expressed by Mr.. Morton on
administration, nor of the most promi-
nent man in it, especially the president
and William Howard Taft, believed to
be the administration residuary legatee
for 1908. :.
Brought on His Own Head.
1t was not intended to make the
it was, but Mr.. Fish brought it down
upon the head of himself and the other
railroad men by making reply to the
gentle structure of the secretary of
war at a time when Mr.. Taft said he
had no idea of engaging in debate
on the subject. o., .
A good many railroad men today
criticized Mr.. Fish for taking the sec.
rotary to task and giving him the op.
portunity Of making his observations
SO specific and SO plain that the atten.
| ton of the country would necessarily
| be attracted to the engagement. They
| believe that in doing that he played
into the hands Of the president.
More Determined than Ever. :
Coming so soon after the speech OF
the president at Denver, Secretary
Taft s sutterances are taken to NEAR
that the president is more determined
| than ever on the rate-regulation propo
| sition. 1t confirms the impression ere
ated by the Denver address, that. the
president viii assume personal charge
of the subject and undertake to make
members of congress, both senator's :anc
ton, follow his lead to the end thai
there will be no divided councils whe1
the struggle comes with the republican
senators who are opposed to railroad
rate regulation. =
The address by Secretary Morton ha
been referred to in every railroad pape
in the country as evidence Of weak
enlng by the rate-regulation advocates
and credence has been given the asser
tion that the president himself is will
ing to listen to compromises that will
render nugatory anything that NAV b
placed on the statute books. 49,, ).
Reason for Taft's Remarks.
That is why. Secretary Taft made hi
remarks so pointed and so emphatic
: his, remarks amounting practically t
a threat to carry the fight so far tina
the railroads will be glad to cry 70
mercy. -
} There is no question in the mind
) OF government officials here but tina
) Secretary Morton's tenure Of offc
has been greatly shortened by the in
cldent growing out of his address. TIL
rate question will be the most impol
tant with which the administration wi
; have to deal from this time forward
! He will not be able to help the pres
dent and his presence in the cabine
t will certainly be embarrassing for bot
y of them.
: w., Fairbanks Uncomfortable.
' One Of the most interested, if nc
most uncomfortable listeners to til
debate between Messrs Taft and Fis
was Vice President Fairbanks. He wa
sitting between them. His face a
:. sumed startled look when his Obi
nelgihbor and presumptive rival for th
/. presidential nomination began taIzin
: on the rate question:. He looked sti
l more. panied when Mr. Fish began al
. swerlng the secretary of war, and whe
y Taft leaned ovef to ask Fish if he cou]
;, have fifteen minutes to reply, the vic
u president looked alarmed. AS uuiet]
as he could he rose from the table an
went out Of the room, and this he di
l. altho he was on the list Of those WI
IS were to speak. 'Es =.
It REBUKE TO PAUL MORTON