The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-22
Roosevelt at His Best.


President Roosevelt met the delega-
tion Of labor leaders who came to see
him in the true democratic spirit. The |
president of the United States cannot
assume the air of monarch in meet |
ing delegations. He can only appear as
one of the debaters in q discussion and
it was in this role that President Roose
welt met the labor leaders. But he in
iected into the role the Roosevelt indi-
viduality. Some men might have been
tempted to deal in platitudes and gen.
eralities and to have soothed the labor
men withx soft talk and promises. But
that was not the Roosevelt way. He
met the men on a plane of absolute
equality and combatett what appeared
to him to be their errors vigorously and
in conclusion stated to them very frank
~ what he, as president, would do in
certain emergencies.
The president declined to shuttle upon
the eight-hour day in Panama, but very
bluntly told his visitors that he did
q not believe it would work there and
that in his opinion the attempt to work
1t Guero was OIL 10 Importance 10 OF
ganized labor in America.
He said he was in favor of the pend
ing bill to regulate the issuance of in
functions, but that if the labor leaders
wanted to beat it in congress it would
be an easy task, SIS he thought it had
very few friends there. He suggested,
however, that the labor men think it
over before they attacked the bill, since
in his experience as president the power
of injunction had been invoked a dozen
times against combinations of capital
to once against combinations of labor.
This hint, thrown out in a studiedly
neutral tone, will perhaps have more
influence in causing the labor leaders
TO look into the merits of the bill than
prolonged partiZan argument.
A direct complaint against the presi-
lent himself that he had forbidden
government employees to petition con-
press for increased pay was made in
he memorial and this the president
answered boldly and vigorously. He
lad issued such an order and he meant
t. He could not have department en-
,loyees sending memorials to congress
Without their passing thru the hands
f the chiefs Of departments. This as
= mere matter of discipline, the presi-
lent abundantly justified.
On the subject Of Chinese immigra-
ion the president took the oppor-
unity offered him to say something
which was intended to be heard in
lima AS well as America, The presi-
lent said he was totally opposed to
he entrance of coolie labor into this
ountry and just as ardently in favor
the admission Of Chinese of the
igher classes, for which purpose he
hould labor, and challenged the labor.
ng men to support that policy.
Turnout his speech to the labor dele
alton the president went out to the
xtreme limit in frank expression of
Is views. His remarks bear evidence
{ having come from a man who ha6
aought earnestly upon the subjects
utlined in the memorial and who, hav
10 fully made up his mind, did MOI
eed to search for Qualifying phrase:
(which to express some timidly
aopted opinions. There has been some
Tx Of the waning Of the popularity
{ the president. There is no evidenc,
c it, but if there were, it would TAX
IT. a speech like this to bring tn,
sople back to a general confidence il
le president. Mr.. Roosevelt is NAL
|. strong convictions, but the countr,
is never had a less opinionated presi
mt. He is willing and ready to dis
ISIS in a purely impersonal manne
~ public question with anyone VIII
n throw any light upon it. His ad
.ess to the labor leaders is couche
an admirable spirit of franknes
hose general adoption by public me
ould greatly improve the tone Of on
,fitics. -
fIovarnnr Tummins SAWS he did M