The Washington herald., 1908-03-27
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Newspaper Comment on the Latest
White House Recommendation.

'N""B~DcE NouAneDt On thc DlACsA
White House Recommendations.
From the New YORK sun
We object TO the passage Of any law
touching the admission Of wood pulp. We
desire 20 pecuniary benefits or advantages
that are not common 70 the whole people
We consider the proposition immoral. and
rather than it should prevail We cheer
fully absolve Mr.. Roosevelt from any and
all OF fiiS obligations 70 this paper.
From the New York Times
The Presidents message makes still
more plain what was plain enough be-
fore, that the Civic Federation's blll-it
ought 10 be called the Roosevelt bill
amending the Sherman antitrust act. is
not simply amendatory. but is new and
original legislation intended to vest in the
Executive the power OF control over the
larger business concerns Of the country
We are by no means Of the opinion that
this power should be granted. II is too
great, its exercise IN the hands Of an am
bilious or a scheming President would be
dangerous and detrimental: IL is unneces-
ssry.
From the NeU York Eiening Post
All told, the message and the political
negotiations which lie back OF IL are 10 be
taken as intended to set the Republican
party in battle array. Democrats who
had been foolishly thinking that Rspubli-
can divisions and quarrels would give
them an easy victory. must now see their
blunder. The Republican genius for pOliti-
cal generalship is once more in evidence.
ind ? he
Rough Rider 10 get OF his horse. and
turn his big stick into an olive branch.
From tie PhiadslDhia Record
As a political paper the message is
edroit. II is intended to soften criticism
OF past mistakes. and 10 conciliate dan
gerOus hostilities: but throughout It is an
appeal for opportunity Of further en-
erOaehment upon the legislative and
Judicial authority and a further concen-
tration of arbitrary power IN the hands
Of the Executive. II has the true Roose-
veltian ring II begins with a curt re-
minder 70 Congress 10 do certain things
for which there Is ample time; and It
ends with a threat.
From the Boston Transcrip,
The Presidents recommendation for the
modification Of the Sherman antitrust
law is in line with the general tenor OF
his policies for the last seven years. IN
that he seeks TO accomplish results
through bureaus Of the executive depart
ment rather than by the courts. Serious
men in Congress may well pause in con-
sidering the extent 10 which ali opera
tons Of government, rapidly being Fed
eralized. should be swung into executive
department channels and currents.
Prom the Baltimore American.
II was al right for the President 10
say the tariff should be changed TO the
extent OF taking the tariff OF OF wood
pulp. but il was an Illuminating colnci-
dence that the same day he advised this
the Ways and Means Committee OF the
House Of Representatives declined to give
hearing % the advocates OF free wood
pulp, on the ground that nothing would
be done 10 disturb the tariff situation.
Prom the Baltimore sun.
II may be desirable that the Sherman
act should be modified so that legitirl. Il e
combinations OF capital and Industry
which 90 not Oppress the consumer
through the creation OF monOpolies, may
not suffer But II the executive depart
ment Is 10 have the power 70 decide what
trusts are good" and what are bad.
IL is easy 10 understand the tremendous
Capitalization OF power which would be
placed In the hands OF the President
From the New YORK Journal q Commerce-
No doubt the law in regard 70 combina-
tiops and contracts in restraint Of trade
should be modified as the President
urges. bat il should not be modified for
the special benefit Of a particular class Of
citizens or kind Of business or occupation.
Let all stand equal before the law.
Prom the New YOrs Tribune
President Ro0sevelt's latest message TO
Congress ought 70 stir that body out Of
its fit OF lethargy and secure some Iegis-
latiOn Of real Importance at this session
From the Neg York Herald
The tone Of the message is Characters
ticaliy paternal and the Presidents sug-
gestions all make for increased power in
the hands Of Federal officials