The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-17
My PoIicies-One Of Them.

We learn from some Of the press re-
ports that Secretary TAFT has com
pleted the speech" he is to deliver at
Columbus, Ohio, next week. The fur
Their information reaches us that the
President has carefully examined the
manuscript and is so pleased with it he
sternly refuses to change a line. From
all Of this we draw the inference that Mr..
TAFT has lost none of his talent as an
exponent Of Mr.. RoosRvELr's views.
So much explained, it is easy TO under
stand what follows. For example, when
we hear that Mr.. TAFT will advocate
tariff revision we assume that the Presi-
dent approves the sentiment. We take
IL for granted, in fact, that tariff revision
is n of my policies" and that Mr..
TAFT is merely expounding it in his
capacity as a mouthpiece. II is Of
course presumable that the Secretary
is uttering his own opinions also. and
this presumption lends special interest
to the additional announcement that the
tariff legislation he favors is not to be
i~naugurated until after the Presidential
election Of 1908. The proposition, there
fore. is a triumph Of simplicity. The
President approves OF tariff revision and
has authorized Mr.. TAFT to say 40. II
the latter falls heir TO the policies" we
may look for opportunities Of revision
after November, 1908. IL Mr.. RoosE-
WELT, failing to nominate his own sue
cessor and having another term thrust
upon him by a thoroughly loyal people.
finds it necessary to administer the es-
tate himself, We shall still have the same
halcyon prospect before ma. Those who
regard a REIMBURSEMENT Of the tariff az
indispensable TO a continuation Of our
prosperity have only to follow THEODORE
ROOSEVELT or his chosen executor and
they will be rewarded after next years
elections.
Obviously under this arrangement
Secretary TAFT will not feel called upon
to meet Senator FoRAKER's rather swag-
gering challenge. If revision is to be
postponed for at least two years, why
waste time now in discussing details that
may lose their Importance, even their
iuVdilt1f III NlC nlC iuC SNIcu-
ules that inspire the clamor Of to-day
will in all human probability have been
forgotten before 1909. Though the Pres
ident's most powerful views were now
interpreted by Secretary TAFT and
though Senator FORAKER were ~effectu-
ally crushed. az naturally he would be
by such an avalanche of wisdom, actual
tariff reform would receive no sort of
expedition. Questions of dominating
consequence at present might easily
dwindle to points of mere attenuation
by the time the policy" was set in mo-
ton. Steel rails to-day, teazles and
dried lizard skins in lsOe-why not?
We are not unmindful Of the argument,
heretofore triumphant in many embar-
RAISING emergencies, that tariff "agita-
ton in a time Of incalculable opulence
is simply criminal. We have heard il
frequently. and always paused TO pay
the tribute of nj admiration. Far be
il from us eve to suggest that this
veteran theory, SCARED by a hundred
glorious battles and still almost as good
rs new, is less than equal to the pending
crisis. The fact remains that many
thoughtful and observant persons now
challenge a once serene and unassail-
able hypothesis. They dare TO think
that the existing situation leaves much
TO be desired and to suggest that there
is no present prosperity to be disturbed.
In their philosophy the agitation"
might as well come now as at<&ny other
time. Things cannot be much worse
than they are at present or in immediate
prospect. Then why not take the trouble
in a lump?
We convey this idea to the thoughtful
and the eloquent for whatever it may be
worth.