New-York tribune., 1909-12-13


trict Of Columbia and the military bills
may be passed before the holiday recess.
which begins on the list The prediction
that they will prove successful with both
OF these measures is hardly warranted. but
that the District bill will be sent to the
upper house il probable. An effort Is also
heing made 20 frame and report a state
hood bin and secure for Il a place on the
calendar which will insure its considera-
tion Immediately after the recess. and this
is also true OF the Mann Panama Canal
hill
The friends OF Representative Tavney
are looking forward 10 a hearty laugh at
his expense on Tuesday. AS chairman of
the Committee on Appropriations and as
chief promoter Of the economic policy OF
this administration Mr.. Tawney has been
preaching the absolute necessity OF elimi-
mating every unnecessary expenditure OF
the public funds Members who with fear
and trembling have knocked at his COM
Hittee door and have sought 10 impress on
I'm the Imperative political necessity OF
an appropriation for the improvement OF
'seuedunk Creek or some similar project
nave encountered what they describe $
the icy heart" To every appeal Mr.
But on Tuesday. unless the prosnosticators
are sadly at sea, Chairman Tawney will
himself introduce bill appropriating
t3o,oo0.oeo for the Improvement OF the
Mississippi River. II is confidently pre-
diated that IL will take more than cigars
for The great apostle OF economy TO square
himself with his fellow members
President Taft is seriously contemplating
sending TO Congress a special message on
the subject OF waterways improvements.
This is a new idea with The President. and
he has not yer fully made I'D his mind on
the subject The course Of Chairman Alex
anoer IN taking the steps preliminary 10
the framing OF a river and harbor bill, how
ever, the desertion of Representative Taw-
ney where the Mississippi Is concerned. Mr..
Taft's conviction that funds should be ex-
pended for waterways Improvement only in
accordance with a comprehensive and CO.
ordinsted plan. and his belief that water
courses are the natural means Of controlI-
ing railway rates. all tend 20 impress on.
him the advisability of communicating his
views 10 Congress in a special message Mr..
Taft believes, IL should b. added. that IL
such a comprehensive scheme is 10 be IN
dertaken It should be adequately financed.
even II that requires bond issue.
a prominent naval officer, one who 20 A
peculiar degree commands the respect Of
the country as well as the service, declared
to-day that the Swift scheme Of reorganiza-
ton which Secretary Meyer has so ably
installed constitutes the greatest step in the
promotion OF the efficiency Of the feet
which has been taken IN a quarter OF n
century Reduced 20 it's simplest FORM
said this officer the whole end and aim OF
the navy is the ability 10 fire gun AZ sea
under the most nearly ideal conditions.
Nothing could contribute more 70 the
achievement OF that end than the Meyer
Swift scheme OF reorganization. The navy
yards and the Navy Department will be
made 10 contribute their utmost TO the
training OF the men who are TO command
the ships ana fire the guns, and adequately
20 support them In time OF war Under
this scheme the great investment OF the
American people viii be administered by
executive council analogous. for IN
stance, 10 the executive committed OF the
directors OF the Pennsylvania Railroad. and
while much depends on the ability and en-
ergy and tact Of the aids TO the Secretary
OF the Navy. an equally able and fortuitous
management OF the affairs OF the navy may
be expected. q. O.. II.