The Washington herald., 1909-04-22

The evident desire Of each Of the sew
erzI actions in Congress 10 obtain the
approval OF President Taft for the ideas
which It would embody in the pending
tariff bill has served to emphasize IN the
minds Of observers the desire OF the en-
tire Congress TO work in harmony with
the President in the enactment Of the
tariff law. This anxiety 10 obtain the
Presidents approval extends to Demo
Gratis as well as Republicans. There
have been several Instances where the
Presidents sanction OF Democratic sug-
gestions for amending the tariff bill have
been sought, and it is evident that Mr..
Taft, in spite Of the difference between
his methods and those OF his predecessor.
exercises q powerful moral influence over
the legislative branch Of the government.
The President has shown that ne be-
lieves thoroughly in the policy Of non
Interference on the part Of the Executive.
with the Iaw-making branch, except 10
the degree which the Constitution per-
mits and virtually advocates He has
not hesitated to express his ideas to in
dividuaI Senators and Representatives as
10 the character and scope OF the tariff
law which he would like 10 see enacted,
but he has not gone TO the extent Of in
Sisting that he knows better than Con-
gress does just what the tariff law should
provide in detail.
Seeks the Greatest Good.
From the beginning he has expressed
the view that the forthcoming tariff law
should afford the greatest good TO the
greatest number. He wants law that
VIII furnish real relief in reducing the
cost Of living and bringing a correspond
ing degree Of content and happiness to
the people Of the country Having OBJ
tanned a bin drawn in accordance with
this idea. he would then ascertain wheth-
er 1t would produce sufficient revenue 10
meet the needs OF the government II
It should be found that It would not
yield enough income 10 provide a sur
plus OF receipts over expenditures. he
would then consider the matter OF i'm
posing special forms Of taxation, with
an inheritance tax first. and second a tax
On the net receipts of corporations.
Efforts have been made 70 create the
impression that Mr.. Taft was decidedly
anxious TO have an income tax provision
Incorporated in the pending bill Moth
ing Is farther from the truth The Presi-
dent, IL IS known, IS not opposed TO the
principle OF an income tax, but those who
have his confidence assert that he would
advocate such a tax only as q last expe-
dent Those radical Republicans in the
Senate. headed by La Toilette and Cum
Minis, who are preparing for an effort 10
have the pending tariff bill amended by
the insertion Of an income tax feature,
have received no comfort AT the White
House To carry through their plan they
are depending on the solid support Of the
Democratic Senators. and this has served
10 emphasize that the income tax is
really Democratic policy. and that the
Republican party Is not bound 20 Il by
any pledge Of moral obligation.
Refuses TO Take Sides.
Mr- Taft realizes that 10 carry out the
pledge Of tariff revision contained in the
Republican national platform OF 1905 he
must have the support OF the Republicans
IL the Senate and the House. Efforts
have been made to induce him TO take
sides with this OF that Republican factor
ia the two branches Of Congress. but he
has good-naturedly resisted the importu-
pities Of the overzealous.
Al the outset Of the extra session there
was virtual demand made on Mr.. Taft
10 esp0use the cause Of the thirty-odd
Republican insurgents OF the House who
we're seeking, by a combination with the
Democrats. 10 curtai or overthrow the
power OF Speaker Cannon and the regular
Republican Representatives. The Presi-
dent was quick 70 see that II he should
become a party 70 this factional contrO-
versy his administration would fail 10
carry out the promises contained in the
platform Of principles upon which it was
placed in power by the people He real
lied instantly that 10 put the ban OF dis
approval on the course OF the great ma
jOTity Of Republicans IN the House would
place him on such bad terms with the
House organization that his recOmmen-
datiOGs would have little If any weight
The President has insisted that every
Republican Representative was bound as
much as the President was by the pledges
Of the paTty's national platform. and ne
has taken the ground that Il IS not his
business TO interfere with the internal
affairs Of the House Of Representatives.
OF the Senate, but TO regard the RepubIi-
can membership Of the two bodies as the
machinery AZ his disposal TO turn out
leSlSidtiOA AOE WHICH LnS people nave de-
clared their preference.
VIII Keep Free OF SquabbIeS.
It is evident from knowIdge Of Mr.
Taft's position in these particulars that
while he VIII not hesitate to emphasize
his ideas on the subject Of legislation in
messages 10 Congress and in private con-
versation with individual legislators, he
intends TO hold aloof from the scuabbles
OF his party associates in the Capitol
realizing that by this attitude he can
accomplish more for the good OF the
people
= Mt. Taft. it is understood. is not con-
ceTned over the pessimistic view that
the tariff bill. as amended by the Senate
Committee on Finance, viii not produce
sufficient revenue. Even IL this view
should be verified. the excess Of expendi-
lures over receipts for the period that
Congress would be IN recess would not
exhaust the present Treasury surplus.
and the administration officials point out
that the trouble could be rectifed as
soon as Congress assembled in regular
session next December