The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-13
Prediction That President
Elect Would Have Friction
less Administration May Be
Fulfilled.
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
OF NEEDED LEGISLATION
viii Recommend Amendment
To Law Permitting Rail-
roads to Agree on Tariff
Schedules.
BY Sheldon S. Cline.

Washington, ID. c., Dec. 1.-THE
prediction made Immediately after
election that President-elect Taft would
have the most frictionless administra-
tion Of any chief executive in recent
history, gives early promise of full,
fillment Two weeks ago it seemed
absolutely impossible that he could
avoid conflict with the ''reactionary''
forces of the house of representatives,
but today the "reactionaries" are eat
ing out of the hand of the man who
will be president after March 4. Just
how 1t was brought about no man can
quite say. but Taft has received assur-
ences that an honest effort will be
made to give the country what 1t
wants in the way of tariff legislation,
and he is satisfied the assurances are
given in good faith.
Always Gets Own Way.
It has been thus with every knotty
problem Taft has ever tackled. In
the Philippines, in Cuba and at Pana-
ma, apparently irreconcilable differ
ences have been Immediately recon
ciled, and the adjustments always have
been along the lines Taft proposed. No
other man In American history has so
conspicuously had this trait of getting
his own way, and getting 1t without
having to fight for it.
II Speaker Cannon and the other re-
publican leaders in the house live up
to the understanding they reached
with the president-elect, and it will
have to be assumed they intend to do
i, the next four years ought to see a
in the way of legislative achieve
Il. President Taft ought to ac-
complish more, in fact. than President
Roosevelt has been able to do, for
Roosevelt has had to fight for every
thing he has gotten at the hands of
congress
Taft's Legislative Program.
Mr. Taft has very comprehensive
program Of legislation which he will
advocate, and it is understood that
Speaker Cannon has agreed to this
program in principle, though reserving
the right to disagree in the matter of
details.
One of the things Mr.. Taft has indi-
is an amendmEnt to the present law
permitting railroads to agree on tariff
schedules. This recommendation has
been made by President Roosevelt, but
there is little chance of it's being ia
yxorably considered before the end of
the Roosevelt administration.
Congress Favors Change.
There is practical unanimity among
republican members of Congress in be-
lieving that this change in the law
should be made. and there is no good
reason why such bill should not be
put through between now and the
Christmas holidays. The only reason
It will not be put through at this ses-
sion is because Theodore Roosevelt
has recommended it. The statement
of the fact thus BADLY may be subject
ed to criticism, but it is the plain
truth. The republican leaders in con-
gress do not propose. il they can help
It, that Mr. Roosevelt shall have credit
for any more remedial legislation.
1t is intended that only revision of
the tariff shall be considered at the ex-
ira session to be called by President
Taft Immediately after March 4. so
that this matter as well as other kin,
dred legislative proposals will have to
go over until the regular session to be
convened in December of next year If
Mr.. Taft advocates such legislation in
his annual message next December. it
will be enacted almost without ques-
tion. 1t is very plainly case where
the present king is dying, and all the
courtiers arc waiting to curry favor
with the heir apparent.
Aerial Navigation.
II the several plans now under con-
sideration are successfully worked out,
and congress gives assent and provides
The necessary funds, next year the
army and navy win cooperate in try
ing 70 devise a practical flying ma
slhine. Under the present system
with each branch of the service going
II SaIone. there Ia waste of money, time
and' talent There is general agree
nietht thai the time has come when the
problem Of a@vial navigation should
pccn 10y the serious attention of the gov
erni lnent. and the only question is as
70 be best way to proceed
Sentiment Changes.
Tn&ere Is striking difference in SEN
limefht today from the days when the
bxpckriments az tie late Prof. Langley
sse4 to be Sanding joke in con-
t