The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-08-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The approaching Congress promises to
be occupied principally with Presidential
politics. Not only are the plans of per-
sonal ambition to be worked out, but the
policies upon which another Congress
sional campaign. and then the Presiden-
tial campaign to follow, are to be fought
will be developed.
President Roosevelt's purpose to aban.
don the idea of calling an extra session OF
the new Congress is due to a change of
conditions since his early decision to call
upon Congress to get busy with railroad
legislation. The demand for such legis-
lation is apparently no less urgent, not
withstanding the efforts of railroads to
influence public sentiment, and the Pres
ident has probably not changed his opin-
ion on the subject. But, in consequence
of the attitude of Germany, the tariff
question has come to be of such pressing
importance that it is entitled to first con-
sideration, and the presence in the field
of a number of Presidential candidates
who seek the nomination of the party in
power to succeed Mr.. Roosevelt renders
difficult the enforcement of the policy of
an administration announced not to sue
coed himself.
**x
Material is being prepared for the Presi-
dents message designed to impress upon
Congress the Importance of legislation
early this winter which will render the
tariff schedules sufficiently flexible to
make reciprocity of trade possible without
recourse to special treaties, which it has
already been shown the Senate is not dis
posed to ratify. The argument of the
message will be along the line of maxi.
mum and minimum tariff schedule, and
it promises to be vigorous enough to cause
something Of sensation in Congress.
The play Of Presidential politics will be-
gin in earnest with the receipt of this
message. The President, it is understood,
will present the question as one above
mere party considerations in that matter
to be dealt with threatens serious inter-
national trade complications and must be
treated broadly from national stand
point, without too much consideration of
local special interests, party advantage or
party traditions. This will be challenge
to the "stand patters," which it is appar-
ent they are preparing to accept, and
fight for control of the party will ensue,
out of which will arise the issues of the
national campaigns of the next four years
or more. How much support the Admin
istration may receive from Democrats of
Congress for policy which is merely
modification of the extreme protection
system and which would delegate greater
power to the Executive is uncertain, but
it would amount to considerable if any
number OF Democrats should become con
WINGED that he will tote fair' with them
in an earnest effort to break even small
hole through the tariff wall.
Nv
But the great struggle will be for con-
troll of Republican policies. Mr.. Roose-
welt, in announcing that he will not again
be candidate for the Presidency, does
not indicate purpose to abandon inter-
est in determining the policies which his
party shall stand for after his retirement
T.c,,, <ha yNbsta House ua doac not
want to remain in the White House after
one term Sin his own right but he does
want policies of his determination to live
through other administrations. Whether
or not he is definite and consistent in his
purposes, he has faith in his c~n ideas
aud wants them to survive. Outside of
Congress he is building up a strong or
ganization, and he counts on public SEN
timent. which he believes approves his
course, to influence the action of his
party in Congress.
~
The forestry service of the Department
of Agriculture has undertaken an inves-
tigation of woods for special uses, and
will this season take up cooperage woods,
box and basket woods, vehicle and i'm
plement woods and woods for street paw
ing. Paving with wood has been expert
mented with in this country for rs years.
The first experience was so unsatisfactory
that municipal engineers for long time
looked upon wood pavement with dis
favor. In recent years both knowledge
and practice have improved. A revival
in woc@ paving has begun and many
large cities are again trying it. Several
streets in Baltimore have recently been
paved with wooden blocks.
~
The Government Printing Office has
just issued to Senators and Represen-
tatiyes "The Executive Register of the
United States" compiled by Robert
pr>o3 Moster fnrutertv chief of the