The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-04-04

his letter to the Interstate Commerce
Commission for a while, as they sue
ceeded in doing last winter and as they
have just succeeded in doing second
time. But the President is going to
deliver several public addresses by
and by. He is scheduled to speak
once, and perhaps, twice, at the
jamestown Exposition in May. Look
out for a discourse there on the inter-
ference of States with federal regula-
ton of railroads. The President is al
SO to make a brief trip to the Middle
West this summer, to Michigan and
Indiana. He is to make couple Of
addresses then And he will not fail
to put out some feelers on his railroad
plans.
Meanwhile he will discuss the rail-
road topics with every caller from
whom he thinks he can gain informa-
ton. He said recently that he want
ed all the information about railroads
and their methods of operation that
he could possibly get. And after he
leaves Washington he will continue
his railroad talks at oyster Bay. He
proposes to keep full of the subject
and to Gull out ideas from what he
when he writes his message to the
next Congress. His campaign for the
education of the popular mind will al
so be continued. AS soon as he thinks
he can safely do so the President will
put out some material which will set
the newspaper editors to writing lead
ers. The President has great faith in
the newspapers as a medium for bring
ing about discussion of proposed legis-
lation.
This was virtually the plan he fol-
lowed in his campaign for ra lroad rate
legislation. 1t was very successful
then and the President believes it viii
be very successful again. He is en-
tirely confident of winning. He does
not see where either the railroads or
the conservative wing of his party can
defeat his plans. He expects there
VIII be resistance but not successful
opposition. His reliance is upon the
people who have backed him enthusi-
astically on every legislative venture
he has made since entering the White
House
The older Senators, who are staying
IN Washington till after the bleak
March days, frown upon the program.
They do not want the President to
press it. They say the rate law should
first be thoroughly tested, that there
should be two or three years of trial,
that possibly time should be given for
the bringing of suit to ascertain
the rate law is constitutional,
before more of a legislative structure
Is reared upon it,
But this senatorial attitude is not
particularly significant. 1t is the at
itude of Republican Senators who usu-
ally frown upon the Presidents plans.
The House will probably be subservi-
ent to the President and once the
House passes the bill the President
wants he will enter upon his campaign
10 subdue the Senate.
OF course, there are several possible |
obstacles. The President must have |
he people with him in his new CAM |
oaign. Unless he does CoIgressmen
will pay but little attention to his de- |
nands. Then he must be able to as !
sure Congress that he is not stirring |
Up an agitation which will injure the |
party in the presidential election of |
90S. Congress is generally very timid |
about voting important legislation just |
before a presidential campaign. The |
,ry of the leaders in Congress at these |
sessions is to do as little |
is possible and stand on the record |
Already there is a large contingent of
who think it will be safe |
% stand on the record. They think
hey can elect almost any nominee il |
hey simply point with pride" and
void injecting any new contentious
nto the presidential struggle.
In any event the country is sure to
lear much of an interesting character
rom Washington and from the Presi-
lent in the next two years. They prom
Sc to be the most interesting two
ears at Washington for a long period
# time. The President is not concern
d alone about railroads. He sees now
hat he not going to be able to ac-
all he would like before
darch 4, 1909. Much work that he
loped to do must be left for some
thcr and he is nightly interested
hat that other be a President of his
wn choosing. He would like it to be
member of his ca binet who has touch
d elbows with him during the years
f his fighting for legislative reforms.
1t is constantly denied that the Presi-
ent is trying to name his successor.
hose, who have opportunity to watch
in Washington from day
o day, are thoroughly convinced that
lie is trying, that it is a subject of
10 secondary interest to him. He not
My has a preference for the nominal
ion, but he is working and planning
0 bring about the nomination of the
nan of his choice. There are two Or
hree men who would suit him. but just
t present Secretary Taft seems to
G the most likely to succeed in win-
ing delegates. For, while the Presi-
ent earlier in the winter despaired of
ats chances, there has been a
hange. A sentiment seems to be
rowing throughout the country fav-
rable to the Secretary. The President
doing his utmost to encourage it.
The President would rest easier if he
new that Taft was to be the nomi-
ee. He would feel then that, with