Middletown transcript., 1907-06-01
WASHINGTON LETTER

4 AhlCE I0NlSlOu lOOLu5 up mOI6 ALI
more surely as the issue of the coming
congress. The Tariff League, presumably
of the United States but which has 1T
headquarters in Chicago, has come out
with vicious attack on the possible nom.
ination of Secretary Taft because he il
credited with being free trader. Free
Trade Republicans are about as common
as albino Africans, and Secretary Taft is
nothing of the sort. But he is tariff re.
visionist confessedly so, and he stands for
the Philippine Tariff Bill which was de.
feated in the last Congress not because il
could not have passed the Senate but be-
cause there did not happen to be q
majority of its friends on the Senate Com.
mittee that pigeonholed it. Secretary
Taft will have good many more serious
things to answer for than free trade pro-
clivities when his political account is cast
up, for in all probability majority of the
American people are heartily with him
on the subject of tariff reform. The re.
cent convention of the Manufacturers AS
sociation had a show on this same tariff
proposition and it was found that 55 per
cent. were fiat against it. The remainder
were wavering and had qualified answers.
Thus it would appear that in spite of
Speaker Cannon's distaste for the subject
the rank and file of the party will insist
on its discussion when the next congress
meets and if the '.leaders" insist on delay,
the best that they will be able to do in
all probability will be to secure the ap-
pointment of an ''unpreiudiced commits
sion" that is to say as badly prejudiced a
commission as they can secure to 60 all
over the schedules and spend several
months in accumuIating data for long
winded debates on the floor OF Congress.
-
1t is not generally known, but the gov
ernment is regularly party to fostering
The tipping evil and this practice has now
been extended. When government of
icials travel, they are allowed to charge
in certain amount for tips in their
travelling accounts. Heretofore the dis
bursting officers of the Departments have
allowed them to tip the Pullman porters
Ind conductors and hotel porters But
low there has been regular allowance
Idded for the waiter on the dining cars
This officially amounts to 40 cents per
lay. Some statistically minded indi-
'idual connected with the Interstate
Commerce Commission has figured out
hat there are 725 employees of the gov
travelling on the railroads every
lay. If these tip the waiter 40 cents a
lay it will amount to 1920 day and this
igures out $102, $50 year. 1t has been
'ficially assumed heretofore that the en-
'loyees of the government went down
nto their pockets for tips of this Sort
But it is an erroneous supposition. Tips
re disbursed and other small expendi-
ures made by officials when travelling
hat they know will not be allowed by the
uditing officers, but these always get
nto the expense account as Stationary"
r messenger service" or something else
hat will be passed and that does not re-
Iuire voucher. But possibly il is just
s well to have this regular sort of tip
egalized.
*x#
Such comment has bean caused by the
announcement of the appointment of
lloyd Griscom, former minister to Japan
0 be Ambassador to Italy. Mr.. Griscom
J one of the young men of the diplomatic
ervice and the youngest that has ever
eld the rank of resident ambassador.
Ie is only 35 and was formerly Secretary
I legation at Constantinople and after
7ard minister to Turkey. He is thor.
ughly capable young fellow in spite Of
aving a father who is very rich and |
ever having had to make bis own way
a the world. It would seem that the |
My difficulty about his appointment as
is that it does not leave much |
lse for him to be in the diplomatic
Drp.
~
1t is said that the great fnapcial inter-
sts in New York are looking forward
18th hope not unmingled with anxiety
} the Presidents next speech which will
e delivered in Indianapolis on Decora-
on Day. 1t is anticipated that be will
! this speech make a clear statement of
is maturer policy during the remaining
lomentous months of his administration
! is thought that he will definitely state
is policy toward the strong anti-corpora-
on sentiment in the country. 1t is sur.
lised that be will define more clearly
IAN he has done in bis messages to Con-
ress the differences between himself and
her leading Republicans on the ques-
on affecting legislation bearing on
ublic utilities. He may outline bis po-
ton with regard to the valuation of
lilroad property and this outline may
nphasize difference in degree though
OF in kind between him and Senator La
ollotte on this important question. 1t
said that Secretary Taft will soon take
swing around the circle with portfolio
speeches and it is predicted there viii
OF be any lack of harmony between his
ews and those which the President is
zpected to express at indianapolis.
bis will be an equivalent to launching
le candidacy of Secretary Taft with the
rmal, l might say official approval of the
and it will doubtless add
-eatly to his popularity with the many
no if they cannot have Roosevelt for o
Iird term will transfer their faith to theI
an be recommends.
NJ
The Brownville investigation is dragging
EARLY along. There is no doubt that
Ie Senate Committee, and especially
,nator Foraker, is very tired of il. It
as failed entirely to answer bis purpose.
ldeed, from the evidence now being
ven, it is probable the investigation will
suit in his complete discomforture. The
snerable Senator Pettus of Alabama, Who'll
a member of the BrownViIle inyestiga- I
On committee; was at the White House
of ecoak and uphon ooeosfnd hv kho !