New-York tribune., 1907-11-25
DOESN'T BLAME PARTY.
Ia5cncy on Financial Condition.
Other Subjects Discussed.
[From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Nov. 24-"No policy of the Re
publican party is responsible for the present
hnanical condition in the country but what in
huence the policy of any individual within the
party may have had I leave for the people to
Judge, declared Representative James A. Taw-
ney, of Minnesota, chairman of the House Com
mttee on Appropriations, to- day.
Mr.. Tawney is here for the session and has
already begun the work of preparation for the
great appropriation bills. While the new COM
mittees viii not be announced by the Speaker
until probably the day before adjournment for
the holiday recess. there is likelihood that
there VIII be any changes in Mr. Tawney's i'm
portant committee, He made the statement
quoted when asked If he believed there would
be any reaction against the party in power be-
cause Of the financial situation
"The policies of the Republican party which
have now been in operation during ten years
of unexampled prosperity. have not changed in
any way he continued. I'VE have had good
crops, excellent business conditions and men
employed everywhere. Why, then, should the
party be held responsible for such a panic as we
have had? The panic caused by fear AMI
distrust which was unfounded"
What effect will financial conditions have on
appropriations during the session." was asked.
"In my opinion, the appropriation should be
kept down TO the actual necessities of the fed
eral government he replied. THE fact that
at the end of June there was surplus in the
United States Treasury of SS00O0,0O0 does not
mean that we should not be more careful than
ever The government needs working balance
of $40,OO0OO0 in the Treasury. That cuts the
surplus in half, far its availability is con-
cerned.
I'VE should be doubly careful during the com
ing session too. because the revenues viii fall
off considerably. This will be due to a falling
off in the purchase Of those things which
the government places tax.
THE present crisis in the financial admins
tration of the government, so far as it applies
to Congress- has been brought about by the
croachments of the states upon the federal
Treasury We should not appropriate money
for any uses that are outside the functions
Of the federal government. In non-govern-
mental functions 1 include public education.
the reforestation and the drainage of pri-
vate lands. In the second of these I in
clude the proposed Appalachian forest reserve.
OF course. the reforestation drainage of pub
lie lands is a different matter. The states
should be made to keep to their functions,
leaving the national Treasury free to meet the
legitimate demands that made upon it,
Mr.. Tawney expressed the opinion that this
would he the most inauspicious time to enact
currency legislation. He said conditions were
not yet SelIleu, ana CIdLlOr nad not yet given
way to sober Judgment, as far as the demand
for such legislation was concerned.
In regard to appropriations for the navy ana
the plan to build up larger one, he said, there
was little doubt in his mind that appropria-
ton would be made at this session for any bat
tleship not already authorized by Congress.
do you think the financial situation has
changed the attitude of any party of the coun-
try toward tariff revision?" was asked.
Not bit he said. THE talk of revising
the Dingley tariff has not had the slightest con-
nectfon with the present financial conditions in
the country. 1t is generally agreed that the
tariff will he revised at an extra session, 10 be
called Immediately after the Inauguration of the
next President
who do you think will be naugurated?"
'TWell, when I left home, just before my trip
to Panama. the sentiment of majority Of the
people Of Minnesota for Secretary Taft. 1
presume 1t is the same now"