, 1907-10-29
THE PRESIDENTS
NEXT MESSAGE
SPECULATION AT WASHINGTON
CONCERNING DOCUMENT TO
BE SUBMITTED.
Understood He Will Have Something
to Say More Upon Railroad Rate
Regulation, and Believed, He Will
Recommend Action for Deep Wa
ter Way to Gulf.
Special to The Republican,

Special to The Republican.
Washington, Oct. 29.-As the date
for the assembly of the Sixtieth con.
gress approaches, interest in the proba.
BILE contents of the presidents mes.
sage becomes more and more keen.
In fact, the topic just O is oversha-
downing everything else political.
May Advocate Repeal.
In general it is understood that the
president will have something further
to say upon the subject of railroad
regulation, but just what his recon-
mendations on this subject will be, ev-
en- those who have talked with Mr..
Roosevelt recently are not at all Ger,
tain. Some months ago 1t was 5eliev-
ed that a sweeping extension of tho
powers of the interstate commerce
commission would be advocated, but Of
late there has been a growing feeling
that the message would De likely TO
confine itself to recommendations foi
Strengthening the existing law. There
are those who would not be surprised
if the message recommended the re-
peal of the Sherman law, or its amend
ment, in such particulars as would in
augurate ar entirely new plan of con
trolling trusts and corporations.
Section Concerning Fleet Movement.
1t is accepted as a ~foregone conclu
sion in well informed circles here also
that a section of the message will be
devoted to an explanation in defense of
the plan for sending the battleship
fleet to the Pacific. Another subject
which will undoubtedly occupy a on,
siderable amount of space in the mes
sage is that of the d~esirability of adopt
ing a definite and energetic policy Of
waterway Improvement including the
preservation OF the forests as the con
SENATORS of the water supply. This is
a subject for which the president is
full of enthusiasm.
Journey Was Revelation.
While he has long been a firm be
harbors of the country by the nation,
his recent journey down the Mississip
pi was a revelation to him. In his
talks with governors of the various
western states, and other enthusiastic
supporters of a broad INT liberal POI
icy of waterway improvement-like
Congressman Ransdell of Louisiana
he has learned that the average cost
of water transportation upon improved
waterways is less than one-sixth that
of rail Transportation, and he has come
to accept the belief that the improve
ment of the waterways of the country
will prove the most effective possible
form of rate regulation and prevent
freight congestion on the great rail
ways of the country.
May Break His Own Rule.
1t is well known that the president
does not do anything ~half-heartedly.
Having interested himself in the sub
ject of improving the nations water
ways, he undoubtedly will follow it up
with great energy. Except for his an
\ nounced determination to make no
more addresses to conventions IN
Washington, it is believed that he
would make a stirring speech at the
fourth annual convention of the Ma,
tional Rivers and Harbors congress.
which Is to assemble in this city De.
cember 4, 5 and 6, and 1t is said that
he is strongly tempted to make an ex-
! ception in this case. 1t Is more likely,
F, however, that he will designate one OF