The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-22
TARIFF WAR is ON
Administration Declares There
Has Been No Change
In Original Plan of Buying in
Worlds Markets.
TRUSTS SURRENDER.
Ready to Grant the Government
Anything 1t Wants.
Rather Than Risk ANY Attempt
at Tariff Revision.
TRUSTS SURRENDER.

Washington, May 22.-The "standpat-
tiers" viii have to grit their teeth and
make the most out Of a very bad situa-
ton. Secretary Taft authorizes a deni-
al of the widely circulated stories that
the Panama commission had reconsid-
cred it's determination to buy material
for the Panama canal in the worlds
markets. Following is the statement
which the secretary Of war, through his
private secretary, authorized for publ
cation:
No little amusement has been crea-
ted in the administration in Washing
ton and among its friends over the at
tempt to distort the facts about the
Panama purchases, and especially in
the attempt to show that under pres
sure there has been an alteration in
policy. Ever since Secretary Taft and
the Panama commission, with the pres
ident's approval. announced their inten-
non there has not been the SighteSt
change, and all statements to the con-
trary have no foundation whatever
Just how the report of the commits
sion's intention got twisted in the news
papers is a story in itself. The decision
of the canal commissioners for which
both the president and his secretary of
war We're willing to assume full reSpon-
sibility was the hardest blow given
radical protection by any Republican
throughout the United States at once
began to hammer on the administra-
ton, and hurried conferences with those
politicians whose views on the tariff are
their only capital followed. It was de-
cided by them to stop the agitation if
possible.
Politicians Were Gagged.
The only way to stop the discussion
was to offer no opposition at this time
and such indiscreet persons as DaIzeT
and Grosvenor were gagged. The pro
lection politicians then began to get in
their work through visits to the White
House. The administration policy was
discussed and Secretary Taft called fntc
conference. AS result it was semi
olnclally stated that it was not the pol
Icy OF the canal commission to load VI
with foreign materials at this time anc
q further statement was made that the
Two ships referred to would not be pur.
chased but chartered.
With these facts for a basis. the Dro
lection advocates and trust apologist
caused the news to be circulated tina
the administration had modified it
orders. Various organs antagonist
TO the administration began to scream
that the president had beaten a bacl
track 1t was in vain that the friend
OF the president and the secretar
said that there had been no modifica
lions OF policy The whole cOuntr
seemed to be hopelessly confused un
til the statement just given out be
came a necessity.
There is no escaping the tariff agita
ton. The administration has had ful
opportunity since its first announce
ment was made to test the temper. @
the country. Secretary Taft goes t
Columbus this wee kto make the kew
note speech at the Ohio Republica
convention.
PrOtectionists DeRed.
Since the determination Of the Par
anna commission to buy goods wher
they are sold the cheapest some of tn
radical protection statesmen and joui
nails of Ohio have questioned the az
visibility of permitting Taft to delivt
the keynote speech. The agitatie
was kept UP until the newspapers 4
that state explained that the ruling
the commission had been modifie
The second announcement Of Seer
fary Taft reads very much like a no.
of defiance to the Drotectionfsts.
cannot be considered in the nature
a premature conclusion, for while Il
subject has been thrashed out in ever
newspaper in the country for da-
past, the president knows and Seer
tarv Taft thoroughly understands tn
the ruling will be used as an argume
against continuing the tariff on
trust made goods It is an open de
laration of hostility to the poll
which tariff protected Institutions ha-
adopted of charging American col
suners more than foreign consumer
Secretary Tafts announcemel