New-York tribune., 1909-09-15
THE PRESIDENTS TRIP.

President Taft has started on his first long
tour of the country since his election. Before
his return TO Washington, on November 10, he
will have travelled nearly thirteen thOrSlnd
miles and visited twenty two states. His trip
will enable him 10 ascertain for himself the
views Of his great constituency, the American
people. II will afford an opportunity TO judge
at first hand of the correctness of the views
which Senators and Representatives sought TO
impress upon him during the recent tariff ses-
sion. 1t will bring him into touch with the
great West, with It's multiplicity of problems,
including the several phases of the movement
to conserve the nations natural resources and
the statehood sentiment In Arizona and New
Mexico.
Despite the dire predictions made by some
of the critics Of the Payne tariff act, Mr. Taft
seems to be approaching his ordeal with entire
complacency. If the ultra-radicals and the
ultra conservatives in the Senate and the House
are 20 be believed. the Executive will hear some
unpleasant things on that subject. According
to the La Follettes and the MurdOcks, the
Presidents course in approving the best tariff
bill he could secure has won for him the severe
condemnation Of the Middle West According
10 the sO-called range Senators" his stand for
free hides was anything but popular IN their
states, and according 10 the Idaho and Wash
ington delegation his advocacy of n reduced
duty on lumber subjected him 10 drastic cTiti-
cism by their constituents. But the President
manifeSts no sign of anxiety Possibly he has
just a suspicion that In their zeal some OF these
statesmen exaggerated the situation. In the
abundance of his good humor he would never
question the sincerity of the men who made
such pathetic pleas for higher duties during the
recent session. but 1t is possible that when j,
has completed his trip and seen for himself his
estimate of the good judgment and of the sense
of proportion Of some members of the national
legislature will have diminished
The Presidents progress through half the
states of the Union will be watched with keen
interest and his speeches. which, il Is said. will
outline the policies of the coming years of his
administration. will be read with close atten-
ton The knowledge which he will acquire will
doubtless prove Of high value TO him and to the
nation. and the entire trip will demonstrate the
wisdom of Congress in continuing the appro-
priation 10 defray the travelling expenses of the
Chief Executive. 1t has been said that Presi-
dent Taft will find a divided party in the West,
that the representation in Congress clearly
demonstrates extremes of opinion which are
irreconcilable and that. wise and winning as
he is. he will be unable to please either faction
without alternating the other. That view.
venture to believe. is mistaken. The Presidents
"trip is more likely 10 exert salutary political
influence. His frank method of discussion will
convince his hearers of his sincerity of purpose
and they viii realize more than ever before
that they have in the White House an Execu-
tive who is doing his best for their welfare
Convinced of that they will be less impatient
Of those compromises of which all legislation
consists.