The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-23
RoosEvEIrs IDEAS AND TAFT.

ROOSEVEITS IDEAS AND TAFT.
Efforts are being continuously in
dulged in by what may be termed the
'1nsurgent uress'' of the country to
prove, to its own satisfaction at least,
that President Taft's administration is
not in harmony with the Roosevelt
policies" But such newspaper en-
deavors do not appear to have any sub
stantial legs to stand on.
1t will be remembered that these
Roosevelt policies were directed chief
" at establishing something like an adj
equate and just control Of the railroads
and other corporations: and also for the
conservation of the great natural re-
sources of the country which have been
exploited to such an extent during the
past haIS century that they are we'll on
their way to dissipation unless a halt
Is called.
Already has President Taft succeed
ed in getting one law placed on the
statute books which gives the govern
ment more supervision over corpora
tions than it has ever enjoyed before.
This is the corporation tax law which
is now awaiting adjudication in the SUI
preme court. If it is declared valid
there has already been a good start
made by the Taft administration in
carrying out the Roosevelt policies"
for the control of corporations. In the
bill which Mr.. Taft has suggested for
the amendment of the interstate COM
merce law, it is aimed to give the gov
eminent a proper control over the big
railroad systems of the country in line
with Colonel Roosevelt's ideas. In fact
there are provisions in this measure
which provide for a more radical con-
troll of these corporations than was
suggested by Mr.. Roosevelt. One fea-
ture of this bill which will give the
interstate commerce commission power
to legalize pooling is being attacked in
"insurgent'' quarters on the theory it
would have the result of permitting
the railroads to violate the antitrust
laws. And the same Insurgents who
are attacking this feature Of the bill
and also insisting that the Roosevelt
policies have been cast aside appear to
forget that Mr.. Roosevelt has time and
time again expressed the opinion that
the railroads should be permitted to
enter into pooling agreements.
On the subject of conservation Presi-
dent Taft is willing to go even consid-
era.bly farther than did Mr.. Roosevelt.
establishment Of postal savings banks
and passing legislation that will re-
strict the operation of the injunction in
way that ought to be satisfactory to
labor and all other interests involved. |
In fact. President Taft is just as pro- |
gressive as was Colonel Roosevelt in |
urging remedial legislation on a vari- |
ETY. of important matters which the |
people have been demanding.
The real truth is that personal and |
petty differences among members of
the house of representatives and of the |
senate are responsible for the fact that |
.hese Roosevelt policies as President |
raft has worked them out in concrete |
'orn are not being enacted into law. 1
That's where the fault lies. That's
where the blame belongs. But Presi-
lent Taft will have to bear much OF
he odium If there is eventual failure
n the passage of this legislation. The
machinery had been built up to pass
his legislation, but it would appear
hat 1t has now been smashed in the
,ouse, at any rate. If the warning
Republican factions in the house can
low get together and pass this legisla-
ion well and good. But men who have
zen fighting each other tooth and nail
n every proposition that has come be-
ore them for three or four years are
Tot in the habit of kissing and making
10 as some people think they will in
he case in point.
HELMETS FOR FIREMEN.