New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-22
PRESIDENT LEAVES
TARIFF TO MR.. TAFT
WILL NOT MENTION IT IN
MESSAGE.
Problem for. the 61st Congress to
Deal With-Attitude of Lead
ers and President-Elect.
Tsrom The Tribune Buresu.l


Washington. Nov. H.-The President VIII
make no reference whatever to the tariff in his
annual message to Congress. II has been as
sumed in some quarters that In view OF MI
Roosevelts hearty sympathy with the cause OF
tariff revision and the many indications that
serious difference between President Taft and
the leaders of the 61st Congress is possible the
Chief Executive might endeavor TO pave the
way for genuine revision by forceful enunca
ton OF what, in entire sympathy with Mr.. Taft,
he regards as the plain duty of the Republican
party.
1t is not, however, because the President is
In the least sacking In his advocacy of q real
revision of the tariff, because he regards
the coming contest as "Air Taft's funeral" that
he deems it wise to hold of. It is because his
message will be addressed to the Goth Con-,
gress. which is not charged with the respon-
sibity of tariff revision and which, properly
speaking, has nothing to do with it, that Mr.
Roosevelt deems it proper TO remain silent on
the subject. The fact is that 1t is not even
the Ways and Means Committee. correctly
speaking. which is conducting the present in
vestigation Of tariff facts. but rather the mem
bers OF the Ways and Means Committee who,
by virtue Of tbs fact that they have been elected
their places on that committee have undertaken
an investigation with a view TO facilitating the
work OF the special session.
The most important question in connection
with the coming revision at the present time Is
whether President Taft win choose to go TO the
country, so TO speak, to compel, through the
force Of an educated public sentiment, the mem
bers Of the s1st Congress to perform real re-
vision. This. and not whether Mr.. Taft purposes
to make fight against Mr.. Cannon's reelection
to the Speakership. is the question which IS
turning all legislative eyes toward Hot Springs
and drawing some legislators there. No one
conVersant with the views and intentions OF the
President-elect believes fer 6 moment that he
has ever seriously entertained the idea OF a
contest against Mr.. Cannon's reelection Mr.
Taft is far too able a statesman to engage in
any such fight at the outset Of his Presidential
term He doubtless realizes the strength of the
Cannon forces, and the fact that In all probable
lty The Speaker already has sufficient votes
pledged to insure his reelection. Moreover, even
were such fight won II could hardly escape
nenscing the discipline not to say the unity, of
the party In Congress-
THE STAND PAT LEADERS.
The fact seems, however, that Mr.. Cannon
and three Of his ablest stand pat' Iieutenants
form quartet representing views which, in the
opinion Of President Roosevelt and President
elect Taft. are the reverse Of progressive. Can
non' Payne, Dalzen and Tawney are antipa-
theto TO the Roosevelt policies and therefore
to the Taft policies. and especially so TO the
proposition TO revise the tariff along the lines
indicated in the Republican piatform-namely
to reduce the duties until they shall not exceed
the difference in tbs cost of production at homo
and abroad, plus a reasonable profit for the
manufacturer. The 'old guard" leaders are
earnestly hoping that Dir. Taft will not decide
TO go TO the country and will not attempt, by
methods similar to those President Roosevelt
employed to compel the passage of the railroad
rate bill, TO educate the public to demand with
compelling force such revision as he believes
in and stands pledged to. They appreciate to
the full that Mr.. Taft occupies a point of pc
culiar advantage. He could not be accused of
executive usurpation if he adopted that course
for the revision he advocates is demanded by
the Republican national platform, and. standing
squarely on that platform and pledging himself