Evening star., 1909-03-04
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

a half years he was i'm office filling the
unexpired term of President Mckinley,
he did not see fit TO enter upon radical
course until the people had expressed
their approval Of him and his policies at
the polls in November, 1904. Immediate
ly after that he put forward his cor
poration restriction views more sharply
than before. and entered upon some of
the greatest contests with Congress
known in the history Of the executive
and legislative departments of the gov
ernment Busting and batting the
trusts became the chief sport of the day
the country giving it's moral support to
the man leading the attack. The bat
ting average of many a statesman was
fattened at this game. Between ham,
merlng the trusts and working along
lines tnaf greatly centralized federal au-
thority. President Roosevelt has kept
busy. but declares that he has enjoyed
every minute of his occupancy of the
White House.
Attacks Railroad Merger.
Seven years ago President Roosevelt
gave orders to attack the merger of
the Great Northern and Northern Pacific
becomes Secretary Of State In the Taft
cabinet, conducted the fight for DISCO
luton, and won. That was Mr.. Roose-
veits first success against railroad COM
'bination. In spite of this, however. rail-
road mergers continue, and the govern
ment is today endeavoring to stop the
agreement under which the Union and
soutnern Pacific railroads work In per-
feet harmony.
The beef trust was next tackled and
put through griliing 1t had never
thought of getting, but today it fixes
prices the same as before, although the
government Is now after it for receiving
rebates from railroads.
These early successes against the trusts
even though temporary, gave the Presi-
dent the confidence OF the masses of
the people, and 1t was his standing with
the great majority of voters that enabled
niim nm IN later years to club Congress par
tally into line for railroad legislation
that is at least credited with having
stopped rebates and discrimination, even
If doing nothing more.
Settlement of Coal Strike.
The settlement of the great coa, str;L.
OF l9o2 was one of the earliest achieve
ments of Mr.. Roosevelt. Winter was
coming and the people of the country
feared widespread suffering from lack
OF fuel. Entering in a conference with
the coal mine owners and leaders of the
strikers, the President quickly brought
the two sides to terms. Before he did
So though, he practically threatened to
send federal troops into the coal mining
region at the request of the Governor
or PENNSYLVANIA, and operate the mines
under federal supervision.
With the coming Of bp nrocj1apf;oI
campaign of 194 much interest was ey-
cited as to whether Mr. Roosevelt would
have serious opposition for the republican
nomination. The conservatives united
upon Senator Hanna as the man most
likely to be able to win over Mr.. Roose-
velt 1t is curious comment on politics
that Senator Foraker, the man who did
more than any other person to DISCOURAGE
the Hanna candidacy. finally became the
most bitter enemy of President Roose-
welt and literally had his political life
crushed out by the President. When the
Hanna supporters in Ohio were preparing
to give that state to Hanna in the pre-
liminary work of the national conven-
ton Senator Foraker telegraphed Mr..
Roosevelt that he would be loyalty sup
ported by him. This showed such divi-
sion in Ohio that Mr. Hanna withdrew
his name. He and President Roosevelt
became warm friends before the great
Ohio leader died.
Against Predatory Wealth.
Following 1904 came tho fight Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt for legislation restricting
the railroads. with an aggressive attitude
against predatory wealth generally. From
platforms in all parts of the country the
President worked up sentiment in sup
port of his views. He Travelled more than
any President the country has ever
known. There is not a state he has not
visited since he has been in Office. and
some of them he has visited two and
three times. In this way he has met and
been greeted by millions Of people. COM
ing in direct contact with them and show