New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-11-28
9seas~ag 6!96 Steel.
TAFT AND CONGRESS
Continued from first page.

especially 10 New Mexico-have about
reached the conclusion that further op-
position IS impracticable and probably
unwise
President Taft viii urge the advisa-
bility OF creating postal savings banks,
but il is probable that postponemeEt Of
such legislation until the National None
tary Commission has reported its COM
prehensive scheme for financial reor-
Ganization and Congress is ready 10 act
on il wiz cause him no serious disap-
pointment
Some OF President Tafts utterances
have led the public 10 believe that he
would urge Congress to make immediate
provision for a generous bond issue with
which to improve the waterways OF the
country. This view is held especially by
those whose enthusias for such legis-
lation leads them devoutly 10 hope that
the President viii so promote their
plans Mr.. Taft Is a consistent and
earnest advocate Of the comprehensive
and coordinate development OF the
waterways OF the nation but apparently
the opportunities OF observation employed
him more conservative, and latterly in
discussing the subject he has sought 10
impress on the promoters Of the deep
waterways movement the necessity not
only Of presenting plans and estimates
TOR specific undertakings, but Of demon
strating beyond all question the tangible
benefits 70 be derived from the large e-.-
penditures they ask Of the federal gov
eminent
Il is not likely. therefore. that the
President viii regard the authorization
Of waterways bond issue as a vital
feature Of his legislative programme at
the coming session. II should be added.
however. that Mr.. Taft is strongly Of the
opinion that If any comprehensive sys-
tenn of waterways Improvement is 10 be
undertaken the expense should be de-
frayed by a bond issue, 20 that future
generations, which VIII be the benefci-
aries Of il. may have an opportunity 10
share the expense.
While President Taft's confidence IN
his own ability 10 harmonize the con-
tending factions in Congress is large.
and while he places the utmost reliance
on the loyalty OF those conservatives
whom he regards as owing him much be-
cause Of his concessions on the tariff
bill. it is only proper 20 add that there
are few politicians in Washington who
share his faith.
some Of the Insurgents" il is true.
seem disposed 10 5ide their time and to
give the President an opportunity 20
the conservative element. but in 50 doing
they are merely paying tribute 10 the
optimism OF the Executive. with little
hope that his expectations will be real
lied
The conservatives. on the other hand.
while reluctant 10 make predictions.
clearly indicate their confidence IN their
ability 10 induce the President mate
rally TO modify his views. They init
mate that Mr.. Taft has been led some
what astray by radical advisers. aud as
sert their own confidence in their ability
Il lead him back within the limits OF
he conservatism they represent. Some
OF them go SO far as 70 insist that even
in his railway recommendation the
President has gone further than wisdom
dictates. that the enactment OF the
legislation he advocates would imperil
4 he prosperity OF the country that any
check 70 the prevailing prosperity must
lose the House and prove gravely detri-
mental 20 his own political welfare. anu
that. therefore. II Will only be necessary
Tor them quietly but firmly 20 impress
their views on him 20 obtain a material
mobilization or his. They appreciate
that H. the limited time at their dis
posal II may not be possible 10 obtain
from him such notifications OF his mes
co &c as they desire. but they believe, CT
affect 20 believe. that with the opportu-
mites presented by a session OF Congress
they viii succeed in convincing the
President that any determined insist
ence on what they regard as the ultra
radical features OF his programme will
Prove highly inadvisable. both from a
political and from a personal point 5f
view.