Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-12-29
PRESIDENT lNslsTENr THAT
CONGRESS SHALL MAKE
A RECORD.
LEADERS IN AGREEMENT
TO PLAcATE THE WEST
Aldrich Gives Support to Legislative
Program in Order to Unite Repub-
Iican Factions-A Do Something ses-
sion Demanded, With Economy the
Keynote.

Washington, Dec. 29.-While Presi-
dent Taft's rare tact and good humor
are having great deal to do with the
unexpected success which he is having
In his efforts to unity the republican
party as represented in congress in
support of definite and far-reaching
legislative program at this session,
there are other reasons for this ap-
preaching condition of party harmony
which should not be overlooked.
| The presidents good humor and good
sense are much, but the practical de-
mand for harmony and progress, if the
republican party is to retain control of
the government. is of equal Importance.
Besides, without harmony it will not be
possible for Senator Aldrich to get far
with his plans for monetary reform.
Even with harmony, he may fail; but
without it, failure is absolutely certain.
And so it happens that the president
finds working with him for a legisla-
tive record which will satisfy the en-
tire country, but more particularly the
central west, not only the so-called
progressives of the two houses, but al
so the leading men among the so-called
reactionaries
A "Do Something" Session.
A good deal has been said in the
daily press about an understanding hav-
ing been reached between the president
and these congress leaders, to cut the
work of the present session short, and
bring congress to an early adjournment
In is
said in some places that this is to be
a do nothing" session. This is as good
a place as any for an authoritative de-
NAL of those statements.
Not only the president, but the lead
ers of the republican party in congress
understand thoroughly that it is neces-
sary for the party, which is in full
command of all branches of the gov
eminent, to make a record at the pres
ent session which will carry weight
with the voters next year. A do MOTH
| ing" session, added to popular disap-
pointment with the new tariff law,
would certainly give the next house to
the democrats, and so paralyze Mr.
| Taft's arm for the latter half of his
| administration Talk about do moth
ing" session doesn't impute much poll
teal sense to the president and his
| managers, who it may be said are a
good deal better posted than people re-
sponsible for this talk understand.
Economy Key Note.
| Just what congress will be able to
do in the way of legislative record
is not now known. Obviously, how
ever, everything the president has rec
commended in his annual message and
will recommend in the several special
messages he has promised for January,
can not be enacted into law When
the proper time comes there will be
council of the party leaders of the
house, the president and several mem
bers of the cabinet These men will
go over all the legislative recommended
tions of the messages, make up their
minds as to which of them are of most
Importance, and then get together in
support of constructive policy which
will mean additional laws, and Incl
dentally something on which the party
can with a good face go to the country
and ask for a continuation of power.
Even the president does not yet know
precisely what items will be embraced
in this legislative program. In all
probability. however, the items will in
clude some additions to the Hepburn
rate law, the appropriations asked for
the tariff board injunction legislation,
good start toward conservation, and
possibly postal savings bank law. The
key note of the session will be economy
of administration, as the estimates of
the executive departments already have
indicated.
Why AIdrich is Willing.
Senator Aldrich is moved by two
considerations in his support Of the
presidents legislative policy. in the
first place, there is his responsibility
as the leader of the republican party in
the senate; and of equal significance
in his mind is his desire to secure cur
rency legislation-not at this session,
but perhaps next winter.
| Mr.. Aldrich understands that the new
tariff law is unpopular in the west, and
it is good strategy for him to stand by
the president in support of what he
knows the west now wants. 1t is his