The Washington times., 1905-05-17
Interpretation Put Upon
Commissions Open
Market Decision.
RAMSEY HIT BACK HARD
Forced Out of the Wabash
Presidency He Has Given
Opponents a Body Blow.

The Panama Canal Commissions de-
termination TO buy materials abroad,
cnless home prices are approximately as
low. continues To hold political atten-
tion 10 the exclusion of everything else.
The reasons which aetuated the COM
mission in determining on this course
OF action are now The subject of ex-
treme interest. and each days develop
ments are bringing TO light underlying
facts which are bound TO create a deal
of discussion on political and economic
lines.
1t Is generally understood that Pres
ident Roosevelt got some inside infor-
nation about how certain great corpora
uons We're going to hold up the Gov
ernment for all the Panama contracts at
the highest possible prices and that he
decided to put the issue right To those
corpora tons Joseph Ramsey, president
OF the Wabash railroad is the man to
whom is attributed interesting infor-
nation about the Steel trusts S intention
OF preventing competition on steel rail
contracts and then parceling out the
business With this knowledge COM
Ing from such a reliable source, Presl-
dent Roosevelt and Secretary Taft de-
Jerrnined upon the open market princi-
PIE, without of course. saying a thing
about steel rails.
Trust overTeached Itself.
There is an interesting story back of
the Ramsey information, according to
gossip IN official circles. It is that the
Steel trust magnates caused the break
between Ramsey and the Gould inter
ests, resulting in the former being
forced out of the Wabash presidency.
He determined 10 get back at the
men who had attacked him. He well
knew the weak points IL ttassr business
arnlor and struck straight a vital
spot
The commissions order shows how
quickly and effectively Ramsey got his
revenge. while there may be even more
IN store for the Steel trust managers.
IN II may provide the way for reaching
general revision of prices. The fact
tnal the steel rail pool was ready TO
sllias competition in bids for the Pana-
Hia lanai Supplies in its line and to
divide the tonnaee at SIS per ton has
caused many persons 10 believe that
Presldent Roosevelt VIII shortly de-
manG an investigation OF the actions
Of the various steel pools.
A Consistent Course.
While the high tariff Republicans are
proclaiming their aaazement that the
president should commit himself 10
such a plain declaration as to open mar
ket buying. which they predict will hurt
the party in the Congressional election
OF 1906. the Executives stanch supports
ers do not fear such an outcome by anv
means so strongly. They believe il will
help along tremendously the President 3
propaganda for a reasonable and equit-
able revision of the tariff; yet they say
he has not taken the subject at all out
OF the hands of the manufacturers
themselves.
The tarin is a cardinal doctrine of the
Republican party. and will be main
tained as such. But when gIaring in
cquaiities are shown TO the disadvantage
OF The American people they think ii is
about time for just such a shaking up
As the President has assuFedly given
the trust people. If the latter have
been accustomed 10 temporizing with
Congress and causing a delay from one
year 10 another-an of which has been
victory for the most highly protected
lnterests-that time has gone by now.
There are more ways than one To cook
going to depend on bluffing Congress
from year to year they will find a new
plan is in prospect for reaching them
by touching the wagewoTkers.
Up to Manufacturers.
The gist of the whole matter is that
manufacturers can keep ali the Panama
eXorbftant profits and the sitting of
the subject in that light the Administra-
tion is willing that the people shall
know Just where the blame lies
What the steel men fear most of all
Continued on Second Page)