The Washington times., 1909-12-25
TAFT MAY COMBINE
WITH PROGRESSIYES
Evidence Seen of Intention
To Disregard Organi-
cation.
By ]. c. WELLIE-R-

By J. G. WELLIELR.
Is President Taft making overtures
looking to an alliance with the pro-
gressives in Congress, With a view TO
forcing the passage Of legislation in line
with the Roosevelt Dolicies2
That is the question which begins TO
interest the Republican progressfves f..
both houses. They believe they have
seen some distinct evidences Of the
Executive purpose very soon after the
holiday recess to defy the organizations.
and 10 appeal to the country, the pro-
gressives, and the Democrats. to pass
such legislation as would be in general
harmony with the promises Of the party
to the country.
Following the development OF the
highly important fact that the Presi-
dents interstate commerce measure has
been rejected by the leaders OF che two
houses as too radical, f. So now an
nounced that the Preside. sin shortly
send to Congress a message demanding
some reorganization Of the sherman an
ti-trust act.
Taft Had Hope.
The President had strong hope that
the organization In the two houses
railroad bill, in the preparation Of which
Senators Cummins and Elkins were
consulted. The bill was not entirely
satisfactory to any Of the people con
cerned in its drafting, because neces-
sarily II involved various compromises.
Senator Cummins would have had it a
good deal more vigorous in the prohi-
billion Of capital imitation, and made
%, rv,
IN line with the Roosevelt recommended
ton that the capitalization of unearned
increment of value I'm terminals and
wanted a valuation OF the railroads
made for thWith, and was in favor OF
directing the Interstate Commerce Com
mission TO make general schedule OF
rates for the entire country.
on all these matters his views were
rejected, but a. various other points
the measure was drawn in such fashion
that ne considered it a distinct step
forward, and ii was understood he was
willing TO support II. with the reserva-
ton Of the right to offer his own amend
ments and make a fight TO get them
incorporated into It.
But the railroads have been making
a terrific attack on the measure, much
70 the surprise OF the Administration
leaders They want no legislation what
ever at this time, and 1t has now been
strong support at the hands Of the con
servatives in Congress.
Disposed to Fight
Senators Cummins and ClaDp have
been disposed to make a big dght in
the Interstate Commerce Committee TO
force out a bin which viii represent at
least g. considerable part Of their de-
mands. II they succeed, It will be by
precisely the same tactics which enabled
Senator Doliver, three years ago. TO get
the Hepburn-DOlIiver Dill reported That
is, they VIII scrape together a bare ma
jority Of the committee by an alliance
Of the progressive Republicans with
the Democrats. Whether the Democrats
viii enter such an alliance, at a time
when the passage Of such a measure
would be Of immense political advan-
tage TO the Republican party, is very
uncertain. even in the minds of the
men who have been trJms 10 make
President Tafl has not given up hope
or getting an arrangement with the
organizations Tor The report and passage
'i Dill ont chances are now decidedly
against linn one OF Tie most serious
difficulties In the way Cf making terms
arises from the fact that the Admin
iStrat1On's methods OF handling patron
age have not commended themselves TO
an the elder and regular Senators The
AIasSa chuSctts Senators have been set
by the ears, The West NlrEiuians have
experienced complications which have
indicated a startling determination of
the President 20 run his own patronage
affairs, the Illinois situation has become
erubarra esing and Ohio has ifs own
patronage troubles. Tn general. the
Senators are watching and waiting TO
see to what extent the President is go
Ing 10 deprive them OF the patronage
power they have assumed to be their
M To- G. {
for a satisfactory Arrangement In FAVOR
Of q legislative program which at best
As not favored by the organization sen
ators. IS not brilliant
To Ask Revision.
Along with these complications, It rs
now declared that the President is going
10 send to Congress n message asking
revision Of the sherman antitrust act,
with the view 70 making II more definite
In its terms classifying great corpora
lions so that 80 VIII be possible more
certainly 10 determine which are VIC
Iatiug the law and which are not and
I'm General 10 relieve both tho Govern
nrnt and the business concerns of much
OF the present uncertainty Tho Prgsi-
dent was declared some weeks aEo 10
have decided against any effort TO re-
wise the Sherman act The present SEES
sion p~CfeTrmE. 70 was explained, 20
wait until the Supreme Court should
nave nHuNfl UDWl lIe Af....HI|..H lll iiIH
STANDARD OH auo Tobacco trust cases
and given u more accurate idea of the
changes. fl any, which would improve
the situation and clarity the law.
No Tinkenng Wanted.
Tho particular thing which the Con-
ErcssIouaI conservatives do not want
is .-tinkcrinE with the antitrust law"
Many Of them, Of course, would be well
pleased If they could be assured that
the 'tinkering" would make the law
distinctly less drastic; but they have
40 confidence that anything OF the
kind would result Rather. IN view 81
Judge Lurton's appointment 20 the
Supreme bench, they are hopeful that
the decision In the old Knight or Sugar
trust case viii be revived as a prece-
dent IN the Tobacco and Standard OH
cases. and that the combinations will
be found not TO be in cCutraveuJion OF
the law.
The Presidents long maintained view
that che Federal powers could best be
exercised through some sort Of Federal
Incorporation or licensing act, f. likely
10 dominate his coming communication