Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-12-14
The President Message.

TO congress, and the one which, I'M
doubtedly, will meet with the greatest
measure of popular approval, is his
regarding Injunction
in labor troubles.
Following out the platform declara-
ton of the party in 1908, Mr.. Taft
urges legislation prohibiting the
issuance of labor injunctions by the
federal judiciary, without notice to
the defendants. Only in the event
of great property danger, he suggests,
should injunctions he issued without
notice, and then only for limited
term not to exceed seven days.
There can be no difference of opinion
on the part of the people as to the
wisdom of this recommendation. The
republican party went into the cam
paign with that issue as a part of its
platform, and it was to be expected
that the president would urge it at
the earliest opportunity. There viii
be much curiosity and some apprehen-
sion as to the attitude of the present
congress on the question, however.
Another recommendation, fully ex-
pected by those who followed the
presidents speeches on his recent tour,
is for commission to evolve some
plan to expedite legal procedure
President Taft takes the eminently
just stand that the laws delays under
the present system of procedure work
hardship on litigants, and in many
cases bring about grave miscarriage
of justice. Legislation requiring
publicity for campaign expenses in
congressional campaigns, is another
commendable recommendation.
With these exceptions it is quite
possible that the message will prove
disappointing to many admirers of
the president. Returning to the form
the message contains little to indi-
cate vigorous following out of the
policies of the preceding administra-
ton.
No declaration is made on antitrust
legislation, this subject being reserved
for later consideration, but the presi-
dent does go on record as against any
attempt to amend the tariff law
adopted at the special session. He
declares that the enforcement by the
executive of the maximum and mini
mum rates against nations unduly
discriminating against the United
States will not bring about tariff
war, and urges that there be no fur
Their attempt at tariff legislation until
the new tariff commission shall have
gathered its information as to the
relative cost of producing dutiable
articles in this and other countries.
As this task is expected to take two
or three years at least, the presidents
attitude indicates his hope to avoid
another tariff row during his term.
The president urges the establish
ment of postal savings banks, on
which there is little difference of
opinion, except that which proceeds
from bankers, but, on the other hand,
he strongly favors the ship subsidy,
on which there is decided diver
gence. He recommends civil pen
Sions, increased postage rates on peri
odicals and magazines; fund of
$4,000 to aid in suppressing the
"white slave trade;" statehood for
Arizona and New Mexico; national
bureau of health, and makes numer-
Gus minor recommendations.
Altogether, the message is not in
any degree a notable state document,
nor will it go far toward altering the
attitude of the people who are waiting
for President Taft to ''make good"
1t was prepared in an exceptionally
brief time, and it is possible that the
Forthcoming special messages on the
antitrust and interstate commerce
legislation, conservation of the
natural resources and the Nicaraguan
situation may give more definite in
dication of a firm and settled policy.
MilWaukpp News