New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-29
From TIE Tribune Ru-ean.l

Washington April 3.
REGRETS TAFT's ABsENCE-Some If
ne members 81 Congress who are working
earnestly 20 promote the Presidents leg1s-
lative programme sincerely regret me
uecessity q his leaving the city tomorrow
FOR an absence - a week. There is no dis
guising the fact that the enactment OF the
measures on which he has set HIS heart is
fraught With grave difficulty. The Senate
Insurgents wholly Indifferent % anything
but their individual interests. are combin-
ing with the Democrats on every possible
occasion against TIE regular Republicans
and the wishes OF The administration. and
he House insurgents. while ready to sacri-
zee more % 3ovaltv n Mr. Tafi. are stnl
prone 10 follow strange gods. and show
little restraint when confronted with temp
alton Of Democrats Populist nature Too
wide divergence between the two houses in
the interstate commerce bills which they
adopt. for instance. viii inevitably lead to
serious trouble in conference. and in neither
house does there appear 70 be any adequate
appreciation OF the satisfaction afforded the
Democrats by the course Of the
insurgents. who are wholly oblivious
20 the fact that they cannot pull
down the pillars 81 tire temple with
out bringing disaster on themselves
The insurgents are also utterly indifferent
70 The arguments and persuasion OF their
regular colleagues, and the only influence
which can possibly restrain them IS that OF
The President himself II Is appreciated. OF
course, that the President could not have
foreseen the present difficulties when he
mace the engagements which compel his
absence. bur that absence is not the less
regretted nor its erect. regarded with less
apprehension. T. is felt that IL will be i'm
possible Tor him 70 accomplish as much
good away from Washington in this critical
period as he could IN the White House.
hEFNS NOMINATION The nornina-
ton q John ". Kern as the Democratic
candidate for Selator from Indiana news
or which reached here this afternoon. is
regarded as seriously pre1udicial to Repub-
hcan success n that state. II is declared
By members o. the Indiana delegation that
the Democrats could have made no more
fortunate selection from their point Of
view than Mr.. Kern. He has more than
once been chosen 10 LEAD a forlorn cause
has yielded 10 THE demands Of mis- party
when there was no prospect OF success. is
regarded as having been cheated out OF an
erection 70 the senate 70 which he was
rightly entitled when Senator shively was
elected, and Is therefore looked upon as
something q 3 martyr, ano he is probably
the one man n Indiana who can unite al
the factions OF the Hoosisr Democrats. The
Democratic candidate for the Senate will
oegln the race with a conside-a bic number
~ holdcver votes IN the legislature. The
nomination OF Taggart would doubtless
nave estrangsd many Democrats but. un-
fortunately for Republican prospects, that
is not true OF IL. Kern.
PANAMA DEFENCEs The plans for
fhe tortthcations OF tAe Panama Canal out
lined in this column last Monday have been
formally adopted without change. snd the
Acting Secretary % the Treasury. NJ.
Hllles, submitted 20 Congress to-day ap-
pro1imate estimates q the cost. the total
being upward OF s-4C90 pg1. Mr. Hilles asked
on behalf Of the Secretary Of War an ap-
preparation OF s.. co. In order that work
may begin Immediately on the sites. en-
placements. gun, ammunition, power
plants fire control stations. mine defences
and garTisons. Secretary Dickinson SAYS il
was Impossible 10 Submit this estimate ear
her. az e Is based on the report Of the