New-York tribune., 1910-12-09
THE DAyINWA ASHINGTON


has been pointed out by other students of
the transportation problem that municipal
ownership of terminal facilities. both rail
and water, affords the only protection
against rnonopolistic control Of transporta-
ton and the only safeguard against ulti-
mateIy exorbftant rates Indeed. there are
already conservationists who believe that
terminal facilities In a large city. the value
of which is constantly being increased by
the growth of the city itself. are as much
a natural resource as coal and other miner
al deposits and should be dealt with by
means of a similar leasing system.
INSURGENTS WITH TAF~T.-Due credit
was given in this column this morning TO
Senator Cur1n1ins for the merit of his pro-
posed amendment TO the rules of the House
and Senate whereby tariff revision. sched-
ule by schedule. would be made feasible Il
now appears that thsre is another policy
Of the President which the insurgents, or
some of them at least more anxious 10
promote than many Of the regulars This
is the leasing Of coal deposits, to which
the conservative element is decidedly. al
though not always openly, opposed. There
are of course insurgents also, like Senator
Borah. who are bitterly opposed to this
fundamental principle of the conservation
policy. but an alignment of the two houses
of Congress on this. as on the tariff revt-
sion policy, is likely TO show far larger
percentage of insurgents than regulars in
sympathy with the President. It is too
early 10 make definite forecasts, but there
IS at least an interesting possibility that
before this session ends number of the
men who have in the past been classed as
insurgents may be found fighting shoulder
20 shoulder with the more progressive regu-
lars to carry to a successful issue the poll
cies of President Taft while a few insur-
gents are compelled TO barter with the "old
guard" in an effort to prevent the really
progressive measures to which they are cp-
posed from becoming law.
CONGRESS WORKING HARD.-What
ever differences may exist between mem
bers Of the two houses of Congress regard
ing the advisa bility Of attempting to pass
general legislation al this session, both
houses are displaying an industry such as
has not been Witnessed in a long time. The
committees are working steadily and eX
peditiously. and there is a prospect that the
approDriatiOn bills will be reported to the
respective houses at earlier dates than ever
before How fast the houses will work on
them viii depend on many things, particu-
larry on the disposition of the Democrats to
facilitate their passage or TO delay II. AS
is usual in the early days Of a session, the
number of hours which the two houses re-
main in session Is no criterion OF the indus
try of the members. ali of whom are mem
bers of committees. The greatest expedi-
ton often can be achieved By short sessions
Of the houses and adjournments for two
days AT a time SO that the members may
be free 70 devote more time TO committee
meetings.
CUNNING FOR M[YER.-The members
Of the House Naval Committee are exultant
this evening. because they believe they have
discovered a serious discrepancy in Secre-
tary Meyers claims of economy, as the re-
suit Of the installation Of his new system
OF Navy Department administration. Rear
Admiral Mason, chief Of ordnance, was be
fore the committee to-day, and when asked
regarding the ordnance items in the esti-
mates asserted that 81, 900 previously ap-
propriated was still necessary TO complete
batteships under construction. He ex-
planned that this sum had not been used be
cause Of the delay in completing the ships
The admiral was asked if this sum was IN
cluGed in the total sum Whlch Mr- meyer
said had been saved in the administration
OF the navy, and he said It had. With great
gIee the committee recorded the fact that
81. 500 .ooo must be deducted from the claimed
saving and the members intimated that
they expected to find other discrepancies
AS q result Of to-day's deliberations the
committee cut $4,000 from the total esti-
mates. which sum was asked for certain
minor work under the supervision Of the
Bureau Of Ordnance G. G.. H.