Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-11
USE THE BIG STICK
President May Force Consideration
Of Reforms.


WASHINGTON, ID. c., March T.
Especial correspondence) The do
nothing congressional policy Of the
republican leaders has been dawdling
along so far without any one seek
ing to enliven the proceedings. But
II is now reported that word has
gone out from the White House that
10 virtually a threat to the reaction
airy republicans of congress that
President Roosevelt has no notion of
allowing congress to adjourn with
out considering the recommends
lions set forth in his message to
that body. OF course, the president
can not keep congress in session
when 1t decides to adjourn, but
he can call an extraordinary session
Immediately following such adjourn
ment and again call the attention of
congress to what he considers is
needed legislation.
President Roosevelt believes he
Will OS huppOiNCu Wy NhS COuhtiy III
such a demand for necessary laws,
and even II he does not call congress
together in extra session he can
make It plain to the constituents OF
the reactionary congressman that
they are "bucking my policies" and
are unfit to represent those who be-
lieve in reform. The back fire that
Mr.. Roosevelt can start would GER
tainly make the position of many re-
publicans decidedly uncomfortable, If
not untenable politically.
What legislation does President
Roosevelt demand that he thinks of
such consequence as would lead him
to disrupt his party on the eve of a
national election? First, new en-
ployers' liability law, then amend
ments to the Sherman antitrust law
and for a law governing the issue of
securities by interstate corporations.
The employers liability law passed
by the last congress has been decided
unconstitutional by the supreme
court, SO the president, who is now
trying to propitiate the labor vote,
wants the Knox bill passed. which
is now in the hands of the senate
judiciary committee, that will evade
the objection unanimously an
nounced by the court. Then he rec
ommends the antitrust law be
amended so that pooling and COM
binatlons may be legal, and federal
for Interstate corporations. Also to
control the issue of securities by such
corporations. No bills have yet been
introduced to cover these last two
recommendations but are being pre-
pared by those who are friendly to
such legislation. There is ample
field for almost endless discussion
on these matters and until such as
the currency bill is out of the way
II viii hardly be possible to consider
the Roosevelt measures. Even if
such bills were already reported
from committees, as the Knox bill
has been. yet the appropriation bills
would be in the way of securing
time for their discussion.
Congress wants to pass the appro-
priation bills and adjourn. The
president wants congress to take up
this doubtful legislation, which will
entail long debate on interstate
commerce, state rights. eentraliza-
ton, and the rights of corporations,
labor and capital. Which will pre-
vail is not yet certain.
1t is rather singular that Presi-
dent Roosevelt does not insist upon
currency reform in his program. but
perhaps he thinks that the congress
is certain to pass at least the neces-
sary emergency currency legislation.
Such reforms as revising the tariff.
which is of far greater Importance
to the people than all the other leg
islation, is quietly ignored until
after election; or forever. If the tar
Unprotected interests again control
congress, The president does not
even urge the one eve lamb that
senator Beveridge has pleaded for so
earnestly, the non-partisan tariff
commission.