Evening journal., 1910-04-13
GOOD THINGS IN THE TAFT RECORD

0OOD lk1llNOO I'm Ar REOOKD.
IT HOSE who have thought that the criticism
\ leveed against President Taft and the adj
ministration would end in the decentralization of
the Republican party at the next election are
likely to be bitterly disappointed. There has. Of
course, been a great deal of adverse comment
from Democratic sources and by independents
who have been staunch admirers of Mr.. Roose-
welt. The former President has a large following
IN both parties. But when the question is put
before the people of an alternative of either the
present Republican administration or a Demo-
cratic victory which would result merely in tying
up all legislation there will be a disposition 20
give second thought with probable reaction
in favor of Mr. Taft The administration is not
to sit quietly by and let its enemies have every
thing their own way.
The much discussed and abused tariff bill
among other things has resulted in increasing
enormously the revenues of the country. This IS
a point that has been overlooked by its opponents,
and yet is must be remembered that the keynote
in making the tariff laws was the producing of
adequate revenue for the government and at the
same time the upholding of the protective
doctrine
But after all, has the President been idle and
doing nothing' The record does not say so. If
anyone is to blame for shortcomings il is Congress
and not the President In the framing of the
tariff law the influence of the President was
largely, if not chiefly, responsible for the placing
of hides and oil on the free list, the lowering of
the duty on leather. shoes coal and lumber, the
creating of tariff board the taxing of corpora
tons the maximum and minimum tariff rate
section and practically free trade with the Philip
pines.
Mr. Taft is responsible for a law that will make
always available Porto Rican funds for purposes
OF government A rebellious legislature made that
action necessary by refusing to vote appropria-
tons for the expenses of the government of the
island.
He has recommended to Congress the passage
of laws to amend the Interstate commerce law,to
issue national charters to a certain class OF cor
poratons TO establish postal savings banks, TO
broaden the liability of employers for injuries re-
ceved by employees, nine bills TO promote the
conservation OF national resources to create
national health bureau, publicity of campaign con-
tributions, to amend the law relating to inunc-
tons to increase the price paid by magazine
publishers, whose productions arc now sent
through the mails as second-class matter, State
hood for Arizona and New Mexico and to issue
S3o,ooo,ooo worth of government certificates TO
complete reclamation projects
Bills on all these subjects pending in Con-
gress. None has become a law. The bill to
issue certificates has passed the Senate and the
Statehood bill has received the approval of the
House. The administration Interstate Com
mercs bill is being given daily consideration by
the Senate. Several of the measures have been
or soon will be reported for passage bv commit
tees and others have not been and will not be
given any attention by committees at this time
In the matter of foreign relations, the admins
tration has been engaged in an effort to advance
American interests in the Orient proposition
to neutralizc the ownership of railroads in Man
churia was rejected by the powers, but efforts TO
establish the open door and secure fair trade
ditions are still in progress.
The fact that Argentina placed orders for
the construction of two cruisers in this country
has been hailed as an indication that the State
Department is making progress in promoting
American trade abroad.
The administration has been dilgent in the
prosecution of the Standard Oil, Tobacco and
Sugar trusts, that was begun by President Roose-
velt
Under Tafts direction, the customs frauds of
the sugar trust were unearthed in New York, the
result being an addition OF $S5oooooo in payment
of penalties to the United States treasury the
returning of 100 indictments and the conviction
. of 4S men,
the country is a matter pending in court, but has
confidently been placed in the list of deeds that
will greatly benefit the country.
Estimates for the expenditures of the executive
departments next year were S43,ooo,ooo less than
the amount appropriated by Congress for this
years expenses They were So4,ooooOO less
than the estimates OF last year for the govern
ment needs of the present year
1t will thus be seen that the President has not
blank record,but the very reverse. The strength
of the party before the country will therefore rest
upon the action of Congrcss--what shall be done
with these measures recommended by the Pres-
dent