New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-08
FROM Ihs rrIsans sur-sa.l

rrrom The Tribune Bur.eul
Washington. Dec. President rafts
first annual message was the feature OF the
day in Washington II received the most
favsrshis comment from many members OF
the barr. There was naturally con--6era-
bic disappoirunsnt when IL was learned that
Mr. Taft had postponed 70 a later date ire
discussion Of the most important subjects
with whicn he IS expected 90 DEAL amend
n-ents 20 the interstate commerce act and
the ANTITRUST law and legislation promoting
tha conservation OF natural resources, and
there is. Of course. much speculation as 10
how be will handle the subjects IN the spe-
cisr messages which he promises in to-
DAYS communication.
The safe aud sane tone of Mr.. Tafts ut
terances was the occasion OF peculiar graft
fcatica to the conservative element in both
houses Of Congress. as was. indeed. his
postponemanr OF the recommendations
which he promises 70 discuss in special mes
sages. as the conservatives believe nrrniy
I'm their ability 20 induce the President MAJ
terialIy to modify the propositions con-
tanned in his message as originally written
There Is a large and an influential element
I'm Congress which believes that. TO use its
own expression. the country needs rest
and that prosperity can best Be promoted
by inactivity on the part of the national
legislature. DO nothing but pass the ap-
preparation bills and adjourn is the motto
OF the members OF this element and in the
Presidents communication they believe they
see at least a tacit approval of their views.
I. Is hardly necessary 10 remark that those
features OF the message which afforded
qualification 70 the conservatives proved 10
ar equal extent Disappointing TO the fIlsur-
gent members OF the Republican party.
That the President had practically COM
pleted his message. and that Il contained
strong recommendations on the subjects ne
has now omitted when he called TO the
White House last Thursday number OF
his advisers. Including members oil the
Cabinet aud the Junior Senator from New
York. Mr. Root. is we'll known in inside
circles Exactly what occurred at that
final conference. has never been revealed
but it Is known that At its conclusion
forceful and drastic indictment OF the
Sugar Trust for its part in corrupting pub
lie officials and defrauding the government
Of customs duties had been stricken out
and that the Presidents faith in his own
recommendations for amendments TO the
antitrust and the Interstate Commerce
servation Of natural resources had BEEN SO
far shaken that he had consented TO clint
nate them from HIS first message. and to
give all these SUBJECTS further and extended
consideration before submitting recon-
r1endations to Congress and TO the public.
That tn. conservative element in Con
zress possesses an abiding faith in its sbl-
uv 10 wsan the President away from what
Il regards as his radical views has already
been told in these dispatches. The first
step I'm the movement 10 that end was TO
induce Mr.. Taft TO refrain from further
public advocacy even OF the propositions
he had advanced on his Western trip OF
course. the publication to-day of the an
nusl message without these recommends
tions makes clear TO the progressive ele-
ment in the party the purpose OF the con-
servatives and the extent 70 which they
have achieved their end. and from now on
there will hs waged a bitter contest be
tween the two elements. each seeking TO
obtain Executive approval OF their respsc-
tive opinions In view Of the character OF
the men who lead the conservatives, of The
facility with which their views can be car
ried into effect and Of the temperament OF
the Executive. it is probably a safe predic-
1ion that some measure OF success will
crown their efforts, although the extent to
which they can impress their opinions on
the President must remain . matter OF
speculation