The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-01-01
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

The most interesting event thaI mas
occurred since the adjournment of Cen
gres has been the conviction of labor
leaders for contempt Of an injunction
sentence. President Gompers was SEN
fenced to serve twelve months; vice
president Mitchell, nine months and
Secretary Morrison, six months. The
sentence was imposed by Judge Wright
who was appointed judge of the
Supreme Court of the Dis riot Of COlum
bia by President Roosevelt, on the re-
commentator of Senator Foraker about
three years a go. Judge Wright's decis
ion was one Of unusual lenghth, occupy
ing seventy typewriter pages and re-
9uring over two hours in the delivery
It's language was remarkable in its
strong and positive arraignment and
what he called the "vulgar and arrogant
attitude of the defendants and their de-
ianee of the court in which their cause
had been pending" Tie decision of
the court is discussed everywhere and
it will doubtless have a decided effect
upon the future relations Of organized ]
labor. Many kilograms and letters are
pouring in upon the President from
labor leaders throughout the country,
who appear to think that he can inter
fere peremp torily with the action Of the
court. Such interference on the part
of the executive is, of course, out of the
question. He can, if he desires so to do
exercise his pardoning power, but not
until the sentence has matured and the
condemned are behind the bars. Inas-
much as Gompers, Mitchell and Morri
son have taken an appeal and will pro-
Court of the United States, President
Roosevelt will have no opportunity to
act on the case, but it may come before
President Taft on petition for pardon
1t cannot be predicted, of course, what
Judge Taft will do after he becomes
President Taft, but those who have
been looking up the decisions of Judge
Taft while on the United States Bench,
have found that he sentenced labor
leader to Jail for contempt and that the
man served his sentence. If Messrs.
Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison carry
out their expressed determination to re-
fuse to ask for pardon, it is believed
that President Taft will not consistent
" and in line with the decisi IN of
of Judge Taft.
While it is pretty we'll understood
that Congress will do nothing more
during the short two months remaining
of this session, than pass the appropria-
ton bills and that the tariff question
will be put off sntil the special session
for its consideration is convened. it is
nevertheless a fact that this question is
so important that other questions are
minitied in comparison. During the
recent tariff discussion before abe Ways
and Means Committee, the President of
the Harvester Trust testified that SO far
as he was concerned, all duties on agri-
cultural implements might be removed.
This trust, it appears, produces more
than half the total supply of agri-
cultural implements made in the United
States and has also a large export trade
1t has no need of protection and not
withstanding the high prices paid to its
employees, it can make and sell cheaper
than any of its competitors, here or
abroad. The president of the trust
advises a duty of 30 er cent. on i'm
ports from any country which did not
give the United States the lowest tariff
accorded to other countries. 1t IS a
| curious fact that this great trust, the
steel trust, as represented in Mr. Car
| negie's testimony and other great tusts
appear to be Indifferent to protection,
while it is the small manufacturers who
are solictious for continued or greater
protection. The tariff Investigations
have developed an interesting situation
in this respect. Representative of
the trusts avow that they can get along
without protective tariff but that the
smaller manufacturers would not fare
so well. One automobile manufacturer
asked that the tariff on automobiles
| should be reduced one-half. Mr. Payne
and Mr.. Dalzell tried for a long time to
get his reasons for such a unique re-
quest, but the nearest they could get
was his answer that it would contr ibste
to better feeling all around to have
a lower tariff 1t is evident that the
state of tariff opin ion in the country is
very different now from what it was
when the Dingley Bill was PASSED.
The President and his friends in the
Army and the Navy are working migat
and main for improved conditions in
the military and naval services of TIE
United States. The President will not
be able TO pursuade much in the way Of
legislation during the short two months
remaining to him in the White House,
but it is probable, indeed almost certain,
toat his successor will tske up the work
where he will be compelled to leave it
off and carry out much-Geeded reforms
The presidents Secretary of the Navy,
Mr. Nswberry, is accomplishing some
thing without the assistance of the Act
of Congress; and the Chief of Staff of
the Army, doubtless taking his initiative
from the Commander in chief, is doing
all he can to make the rank of the Army
more efficient. He is encounteripg OPP
position, as might be expected. Many
army officers between the ages of 40 and
them older, are unfit for service and
they are, of course, recalcitrant against
the recent ordar for test marches on
foot and on horseback. 1t is the object
of the President to eliminate these
knock kD eed pot bellied Old fellows