The Washington times., 1909-12-07
PRESIDENT TAFT'S MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS.

President Taft's message TO Congress
will be the subject of more comment
by reason of the things it does not con-
tain than on account of those which are
included in it. It is not so long as were
some of President Rooseveits messages,
but it is by no means brief. 1t gives a
very inclusive survey Of foreign affairs
and contains much in the way of a
resume of domestic matters
But the striking thing about the
document is that it does not contain
any recommendation as to three sub
jects Of leading, indeed of cverwhelm-
ing. interest to the country. These are
legislation concerning the railroads.
legislation concerning the trusts, and
legislation in regard 20 the development
of the conservation policies of the
Government.
The omission Of these matters. &C
cording TO the current understanding is
related to the fact that there has been
much controversy about all of them.
The President passes them over with
the explanation that he viii take them
all up in special messages later, and
discuss them in such detail as their
importance requires.
Necessarily, tho message thus emascu-
lated. is akin to an edition of Hamlet"
with the lines Of the Prince of Denmark
dropped out. The country was waiting
to hear what the President had to say
on these matters Congress was wait
ing likewise, for it is recognized as prac
tically impossible to get a program for
the session formulated and work actu-
ally started upon il until the Presi
dent shall have presented his recon-
mendations As to these subjects. IL
Is certain that the utmost effort of the
President, and the best possible man
sgement Of the various political forces,
will be necessary to obtain results at
this session. There has been and viii
continue 20 be determined opposition 10
effective accomplishment along these
lines. That the President after his
great trip throughout the country, and
in view Of his many conferences with
members Of Congress and his Cabinet
should not now be ready TO present his
recommendations. Is not only a disap-
pointment to the country but mis-
fortune 10 his legislative program. Il
is inevitable that forces hostile to any
accomplishment along these lines viii
seize the opportunity 90 organize a
parliamentary situation in which it viii
be increasingly difficult 10 press these
belated subjects into advantageous po-
sition for action during the present
session
The President discusses foreign af-
fairs at considerable length While hc
deals in moderation of terms with The
Nicaraguan affair, ne makes plain that I.
irresponsible and inefficient governments /
on this continent are not 90 be tolerated /.
under the protection of the Monroe doc /
trine OF any other American policy.
Reform % judicial proceedings, with /
the view To making their processes less /
expensive and more prompt, is a sub .
ject on which the President has long
held strong opinions; and 1t is not sur
prising that he asks Congress for /
authorization 10 appoint a commission
toNxamine the whole methods and pro-
cedure Of the Federal courts. and recon-
mend measures looking 10 needed re-
forms Without doubt this proposal viii I
develop some important efforts toward .
reforms in a department where they I.
arc strongly demanded by the people.
Efforts 40 economy in the public ex-
penditures are outlined. and the co.
operation Of Congress in them is urged. |
1t is forecast that by a year from .
next june the Treasury deficit can be
wiped out, provided the general policy
to which the Administration is com
mitted shall be-followed
Because Of the postponemeut Of the
most pressing matters in public interest
at this time the message obviously lacks
the color, the interest and the value az
q gauge Of the executive program and
purpose. which were anticipated I'm it.
That the necessities Of the situation
should have been deemed 10 nacossitate
n postpOnement of these ovorshadowing
affairs is occasion for the utmost regret.
The message is left rather penumbral
and pointless 1t win be impossible
for Congress to get fairly started on its
real business till after the omissions
Of the message shall have been sup
piled in the supplemental communica-
finna ALaf o. 70 r.rnr..t-n D. L. I'll. L.