The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-08
Mr.. TAFT'S MESSAGE AS
SEEN BY LEADING EDITORS

Philadelphia Public Ledger: The Presi-
dent. in his message to the country, ex-
presses the eountrys need and desire.
The disconnected will complain that the
message is not progressive" The sober
sense OF the people mas already reoog-
nized that true progress is not made IN
agitation and tumult, but by steadfast
development and orderly advance. NO
President. midway of his first term, mas
ever presented such a record or positive
achievement, with so little Of self-asser-
ton, and those who have trusted him 10
lead the country in the paths OF lawful
security, peace. and confidence VIII not
be disappointed of their hope.
Brooklyn Standard Union: There is not
a single sensational paragraph in the
Presidents long message. II is for the
most part a chronicle of peace and pros
perity. The message is dated The White
House, December G. i0i0," but it does not
bear Mr.. Taft's name at the end ana the
personal pronOun is chiefly conspicuous
by its absence When il is used, az IN
these concluding words OF the message.
il adds welcome emphasis 10 a declara-
ton which will cause great content
ment TO the business community, as
well as TO the people at large =
believe il to be in the interest OF all
the people of the country that for the
time being the activities of government.
in addition to enforcing the existing law
be directed toward the economy OF admin
Of
tunlties for foreign trade. the building
up OF home industries and the strength
ening of confidence Of capital in domestic
investment"
New York Herald: Judge Ebert H.
Gary. chairman of the board Of directors
OF the United States Steel Corporation
expressed himself as extremely pleased
with the Presidents message Judge Carr
had studied the message carefully.
That business interests and investors in
all parts OF the country will md re-
Election OF their own sentiments in Mr..
Tafts attitude toward commerce and
trade particularly toward future legisla-
ton tending to regulate business. is the
belief OF Judge Gary.
good state paper. an able document that
is well written. well put together and IN
which Mr. Taft has expressed clearly and
forcibly his views on all the great ques-
tions in which the country AT large Is IN
terested The message is a mine or inf0r-
nation. touching on a great number OF
different and interesting topics. and be
cause Of this 1t will be widely read By all
classes of people"
New York American: The tone Of the
Presidents message is admirable. II deals
lueidly and frankly with every subject
considered. and contains no dark corners
or subterfuges. Il is as straightforward
as the character Of the man that wrote il.
Without buster OF timidity. it sets forth
the state OF the country and rallies the
confidence Of the people.
The President stands in wholesome con-
trast 20 his predecessor in his apprecia-
ton OF the honesty and efficiency Of the
great body of American business men and
in his steadying counsels for the encour-
agement OF enterprise and the establish
ment of credit
But even among those who share with
the President this attitude toward the
legitimate corporate and commercial IN
terests OF the country. there viii be grave
question whether the time has come 10
call a halt. even a temporary halt on
Federal legislation for the proper. ade-
quate, and effective supervision Of trusts
and corporations doing an interstate bust
ness.
Baltimore sun. There is nothing start
ling or sensational in President Taft's
90 600 word message TO Congress. II is a
comprehensive survey. Of the state OF the
Union, and reads not unlike the annual
report of a corporation executive TO his
stockholders. The touch-and-go reader
will not find il particularly interesting
reading but neither will he md il super
fetal or perfunctoTy. IL is the serious re
port of a President who seriously con
ceives OF his duties as administrative
rather than political. The political note
10 be sure, is not entirely lacking, for
| the President is anxious To justify him
self and his party on number OF Ques
| lions like the tariff and conservation, but
| in the main the message is vast i'm
prOvement on the personal and politica
| broadsides OF his late predecessor. As
matter of official record for the ofticia
| files 10000 words may not be too many
/ for such a message, but if the Congress
sional or lay mind is 20 be reached tbs
value of any message increases inverseh
with it's length. and certainly many o.
Mr.. Taft's lengthy summaries could wei
have been left TO the departmental re
ports.
Baltimore American: Mr.. Taft does not
feel it to be his duty to churn the coun
| try with agitating comments upon trusts
He realizes that the issue is now before
| the Supreme Court, and he is content
10 leave it there, with the assurance that
the highest judiciary, in passing upor
the cases of first Importance before il
will do more to clarity the popular judg
ment than any one, no matter what hi:
position. could do by anticipatOTy OBJ
servations as to the range and intent o.
| the Sherman antitrust law and thu
present accountability OF mopopolies un
der its terms. In this respect the mes
! sage will be quieting. The country il
| sickened of mere agitation, with indus
trial catchwOrds used for purposes o
popular excitement Mr.. Taft does no
| reflect any of the superficial agitation
over the relations Of the rate question
but his outline OF the duties and re
| sponsibilities of the Interstate Commerc
| Commission leaves no room for doubt a
to his confidence in this body as tn
final repository OF matters relative Il
| the placing of transportation in a RICH
position toward trade. This right posi-
ton must be one of common equity, II
which the consumer will be the para
| mount person.
Philadelphia Record: The bushes
world will be able to read til
| r,nocnnrre ,r-itI,n.-t nr,. a1,ttnrinc. Of n