Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-01-08
ELKINS TO BATTLE
TAFT'S MEASURES
Veteran Republican Will Take Up
Gauntlet for Railroads.
PRESIDENT REFUSES DELAY

May Make Minor Changes, But Will
Not Sacrifice Chief object-Elkins
viii Have to Fight His Old Col
leagues of the AIdrich colerie.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 4.-Senator
Elkins, of West Virginia, millionaire
railroad man, mine owner and hither-
to one OF the most stalwart Republi-
cans in the Senate, will fight the bat
tie Of the railroads against changes in
the Interstate and Antitrust law pro-
gram of President Taft.
Elkins will have to line up against
his old colleagues of the Aldrich CO.
terie. Senator Aldrich, the majority
leader, will support the Presidents re-
concentrations. So will NEST of the
other Senate leaders.
Senator Elkins will take whatever
republican, insurgent and democratic
support he can get. He is going to try
concilatory methods at first, and fail
ing in these, will resort to active bat
tie on the floor of the Senate. He says
he does not wish to be put in the posi-
ton of antagonizing the Adninistra-
ton, and if Mr.. Taft will consent TO
some changes his opposition will not
be necessary.
AS those suggested changes are just
about the same as those suggested by
J. Pierpont Morgan and the six rail.
road presidents who visited the Presi-
dent, Mr. Taft will be constrained TO
reject them. AS matter of fact, moth
ing would satisfy Mr.. Elkins except
ing modification of every recommen-
datfon proposed by Mr.. Taft.
It would naturally, be within Sena-
tor Elkins' power to hold up the In
terstate Commerce bill that the Attor-
ney General has prepared at Mr..
Tafts behest. The influence of the
administration prevent this exercise
of arbitrary power, however, and FL
kins realizes that he will have to
make his fight on the floor with AL
drich and other leaders opposed 20
him.
Elkins will not be without support,
however. There are number eff other
Republicans and a few Democratic
Senators who are opposed to the Pres.
ident's program. Some of those will
be heard by the President when FL
kins Is heard. The conference is
scheduled for tomorrow morning. The
railroad presidents have abandoned all
hope of favorable results by dealing
directly with Mr. Taft. They are
aware that their sole hope is with the
members of the Senate who favor
their contention that railroad legisla-
tions on stock issues. will be a blow
at all industries.
insurgents Anxious.
The insurgents" in the Senate are
anxicusiously awaiting the arrival Of
the Presidents message and the two
bills They say their attitude will de-
pend largely on the phraseology used
by the President. If his demands are
not strong enough they will try to
have Senator Cummins' more drastic
bill regulating the railroads adopted.
Failing in this, they will endeavor to
have portions of it substituted for the
Presidents bill. And, failing in this
too, they will turn to the adminstra-
ton measure as their final hope.
President Taft is not saying very
much about the insurgents these
days, but he is thinking a whole lot.
Postmaster General Hitchcock is han
ding the situation in practical man.
ner. Hitchcock is the political mana
ger Of the administration He has
been informing some of the insurgents
they cannot expect much patronage
from the administration.
The President expects his bill to go
through. however, not as result Of
the endeavors of the insurgents" but
by reason of the support of Senator
Aldrich and Speaker Cannon. Mr.. Tar
has lately expressed his complete be-
lief. in party regularity. 1t will be a
matter of pride with him to have his
policies adopted by the regulars" in
his own party. And unless the prom
Uses made by Aldrich and Cannon are
broken, his desire will be fulfilled.
May Make Minor Changes.
A Congressman who was closeted
with Mr.. Taft made this statement:
"Mr. Taft may make some minor
changes as result of his conference
with Senator Elkins and other sena-
tors, but he will sacrifice none of the
objects which he is seeking to obtain.
1t can be taken for granted that his
present plan, having in view the re-
turn of all railroad securities to a
basis of actual value, will be sent 20
Congress virtually intact. Any ohanges
that are made will be of minor char
acter and will have to do with the
method of obtaining the object rather
than the object itself"
Among the Sick.
T. 4