The Washington herald., 1906-12-05
MESSAGE Wins FAVOR
Conservative Party Men Like
Its Dignified Tone.
LAUGH AT THE NEW SPELLING
Some Exceptions Taken to Reference
TO japanese, but General Belief Il
that Il Is Less Radical Than some
of It's Prcdecessors-Demo Are
AIsO Pleased with Message.

Excepting that part which relates to
the Japanese question, the Presidents
message seems to have been as well-re-
ceived as any Of the similar papers which
AIr. Roosevelt has sent to Congress since
ne was elevated 10 the Presidency.
It's length was commented on adversely
in some Quarters, attention was called
to the smashing Of another precendent IN
the inclusion OF Secretary Roots Rio
speech, and more than one legislator
laughed at the "thorolys." "thros." and
"thos" which marked the initial appear
ance Of the new form OF spelling I'm a
Presidential message. The reading OF the
paper was listened 10 with no more than
the usual degree Of attention.
Generally speaking, ths Republicans re-
gaTded the message as less radical than
most Of its predecessors. The recon-
mendations about corporations did not
shock the conservative members Of the
dominant party severely, and even the
reference to inheritance and income taxes
did not seem to warrant the spprehcn-
sion with which some OF that class have
been looking forward 10 the publication
Of the message. The reason for this is
that no specific time for the enactment
OF inheritance and income tax laws is re-
fcrrcd 10. When next out system Of
taxation is revised" will be in the far
distant future if the conservatives have
their way.
Labor Views Not Radical.
The recommendation concerning labor
Hesitation did not startle either house
They were not considered radical by any
one. Speaker Cannon, who has been
spelling for a fight with President Com
Dars. of the American Federation OF
Labor. for some time. is very well pleased
with what the President has TO say on
the subject He doesn't think the cause
OF labor will be greatly benefited by the
message. 1t is said that the House Ju-
dietary Committee is prepared 10 act
adversely on all pending labor bills ex-
cept the Gilbert anti-injunctiOn bill,
which il is willing to report favorably,
with some amendments. in line with the
Presidents message. Backed by the
executive authority. the Speaker is OF
the opinion that he can win a victory
on the focT by passing the Gilbert bin
and defeating all others Until noses are
counted more carefully than they have
been. however. no definite plan will be
outlined
Cuban References Well Received.
The Presidents references to Cuba
were generally well received. His rec
ommendation regarding ship-subsidy
were rather disappointing to the friends
OF the pending bill. They would have
liked something more vigorous and posi-
tive. Little comment was evoked by what
the President had to say regarding cur
rency reform. inasmuch as there seems
TO be practically no interest In that sub
ject. The absence of any reference what
ever TO the tariff other than that con-
tanned in the recommendations for the
further lowering of duties on Philippine
products, was exactly what had been
expected for long time. Nobody was
surprised because the President did not
urge tariff revision.
Many Think 1t Too ''Preachy."
Practically all the Democrats and
number of Republicans did not hesitate to
assert that the message was altogether
too 'prea6hy that it partOok more of
the nature OF a Y NJ. c. y. address than
4 state paper. Both sides of both Houses
laughed at some of the unusual recon-
mendations. one Of which was that relat-
ing to shooting galleries. In the House
the Democrats applauded the recon-
mendation that corporations be prohibited
from contributing to campaign funds.
I'VE have Iassoed the President to the
triumphial car Of Democracy on the ques-
tions of an income tax and an inheritance
tax" was Minority Leader Williams
comment This, combined with the rope
already tying him. makes him pretty
close 10 being a captive"
The reading Of the message was the only
bushes transacted in either House. ad-
iournment being taken as soon as the
reading was concluded.