Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-01-25
OUR THRICE ARMED PRESIDENT.


these days, which can hardly have es-
capped the notice of careful readers OF
the newspapers; something which
must have provoked smile of salts
faction wherever it has been noted.
This matter of peculiar interest is
the success with which the president
is bringing public men connected with
official life and with business life to
his way of thinking. The president
has taken up the matter of railroad
regulation as the most urgent and
pressing business and has, for the
time being, at least, laid aside such
matters as the tariff, the merchant
marine, the navy, the Panama canal
and other affairs of importance, and
is concentrating attention at Wash
ington and throughout the country up
on the railroad problem.
He calls into conference senators
and congressman, railroad men and
shippers. He solicits the advice of
his official counselors and confers ear
nestly with men in public and private
life, pressing all the time for solution
of the intolerable situation which now
obtains in the transportation world.
The inequalities, the injustices and
the burdens borne by individuals and
communities, along with the favors
and advantages accorded to other in
dividuals and other communities, suf-
fered on the one hand and enjoyed on
the other, through the operation of
public service corporations, has ap-
pealed strongly to the presidents
sense of right and fairness.
Nothing satisfies the president short
of square deal.' The phrase is a
favorite one with him and describes
his natural attitude of mind. It ex-
presses his determination that, so far
as may be possible by government in
reference, the general public shall
have square DEAL from those crea-
lures of the state made for the pur
pose Of rendering public service and
instituted, not for private gain, but fol
the public advantage.
So deeply impressed are men of at
fairs with the presidents earnestness
and so sensible have they become Of
the fact that he is himself an expires
| sion of irresistible public sentiment
and so carefully and adroitly has hi
sought to secure the acquiescence ane
even cooperation Of men in public
and private life, who have been hos
tile, that the leaders of congress arr
swinging into line with the presiden
and laboring to prepare measure!
which shall accomplish the purpose b.
aims at, while railroad men them
selves are not only conceding the pow
er of the government " regulate tn
railroads, but are declaring their wisl
that the power be exercised.
Among the most influential and pow
erful of the railroad managers VIII,
have come into line with the presiden
is Mr.. ]. ]. Hill. Time has been whel
Mr.. Hill was not in sympathy with MI
Roosevelt in any particular. Tim
has come when Mr.. Hill lunches wit
Mr.. Roosevelt, discusses with him tn
matter of railroad regulation and d.
clares his sympathy with the pres
dents aim and in general approves hi
plan.
Thrice is he armed who hath hi
quarrel just The presidents qua
rel is just. Moreover, he has develop
ed qualities of diplomacy, and ha
come to exercise degree of influenc
over sentiment and official action
Washington which made the name {
Mckinley distinguished and which
, sure to secure for Theodore Rooseve
still more remarkable power in tn
cho DipU Of racy1tc