The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-18
TAFT STANDS PAT
Secretary Of War Willing to
Shoulder Responsibility
For Buying Panama Supplies in
the Worlds Markets.
STEEL TRUST HOLD UP
Has Been Frustrated by Action
of the Commission.
Whole Tariff Question Is Likely
to Be Opened Up.

Washington, May 18.-It has develop
ed that the steel trust is very much
concerned in the recent decision of the
Panama commission to buy it's supplies
in the worlds markets. Secretary Shaw
is likewise put out, for if he has any
record at all on which to run as a can
didate for president it is as a stand
pat" protectionist. Because Shaw is
dissatisfied with the order and it is
suspected that Secretary Wilson, like
wise from Iowa, will not like it. there
have been stories circulated about fric-
ton in the cabinet. Secretary Taft, in
an off-hand sort of a way, let it be
known that neither the steel trusts
discontinue nor other developments
dis tressed him.
Il am willing to assume all the re-
sponslbihty for that decision" said
Taft, and if fault is to be found with
1t they can blame me"
The more the investigation of the or
der is studied the more impregnable be-
comes the position Of the Panama COM
misstoners. Everybody knows that the
steel trust and other protected indus
tries have two sets of prices and that
they sell in foreign markets cheaper
than they sell in the American mar
kets. The patriotism" of the trust
took the form Of charging the govern
can prices for the goods it was propos-
ed to buy and much that it did buy.
Here was a condition that was so ap-
paTently unfair that the secretary of
war kicked clear out of the traces and
the business men chosen to build the
canal were equally as irate.
Tariff Lesson.
The Steel trust can enter a foreign field
and frequently Outbid foreign competitors.
If France had been building the canal the
Steel trusts scale Of prices would have
been much less than the rate offered the
American government In other words,
our government, which protects American
industries. is asked to contribute in the
purchase Of Panama supplies the cost OF
the same goods to foreigners in addition
TO the duty.
A Mr. Marvin. who is connected with
the shipping industry appeared at the
war department with a long face and sent
his card to Secretary Taft. Mr. Secre-
tary." said he. Il have come to attend
your political funeral"
Secretary Taft with the broadest sort of
q grin replied: Il believe you, for you
have sent no flowers.
The tariff question has been forced to
the front in the most pronounced way by
the determination of the commission to
the "suand-patteTs" to make trouble does
not seem to concern the president in the
least nor is he frightened when told that
the tariff question viii be brought before
congress. Representative Davis of Mime
sofa called at the White House and told
him the people OF his state were with the
anna policy.
Congress will have to wrestle with this
problem said Mr.. Davis, and it will
have big thing on hand 1t may open
the door for revision of the tariff both
FOR increased revenues and for other pur-
poses. There is a sentiment for tariff re-
vision along certain lines and this may af-
ford the opportunity that has so long
been sought