Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-08
PROGRESSIVE SENATORS AGREE
TO OPPOSE APPo,NTEEs WITH
TRUST RECORDS.
HOLD IMPORTANT CONFER
ENcE TO DECIDE ON ACTION
Republicans Who Desire Clean Men
On Supreme seneh-Soms Of Prev
ious Appointses Too Closely Allied
With Corporate Interests.

Washington, Dec S.-The republican
progressives of the senate will fight to-
g.,her against the elevation to the
federal supreme court Of any person
who has shown corporation influences.
If President Taft should nominate men
will fight their confirma-
tion.
This policy was decided upon at
meeting of the senate progresslves held
late yesterday. 1t was attended by
Senators Cunmins, La Toilette. and
others of the progressive group. The
was called for the purpose
OF discussing the policy the progress
sives will pursue in regard to the judi
ciary appointments and the program of
legislation which will come before con-
gress this session. But only the
Judiciary matters was disposed of and
the legislative policy will be determined
at later conference.
The decision of the progressives to
oppose the corporation judges on the
supreme court applies also to the court
OF commerce. which is to be filled with
five jurists.
Taft Asks Progressive Advice.
The attitude of the progressives un-
doubtedly has had its effect at the
White House. President Taft has been
calling in the progressives to ask their
opinion OF the men he has under con-
sideration for the supreme bench.
Some of these possibilities are men
who are criticised as having been too
closely identified with the big corpora
tions. The progressives have told the
pres ident that these men would not do.
whereupon Mr.. Taft asked them to
suggest others.
1t developed during the day that
President Taft had desired Senator La
Toilette to come to the White House
for the purpose Of consulting him with
regard to the appointment OF Chief
Justice Winslow OF trc Wisconsin su-
preme court as one OF the associate
Justices of the United States supreme
tribunal The Wisconsin senator did
not see At to respond to the presidents
invitation In person. but sent a letter In
which he outlined his attitude.
Hook Finds Insurgent Favor.
Both Justice Winslow and Judge
William G. Hook. of Leavenworth.
Kan. are strong probabilities FOR tine
supreme court vacancies, but whether
both will be acceptable to the progress
sives is in doubt. Judge Hook is on the
federal berch in the eighth circuit and
is acceptable to the progressives from
that part Of the country. His appoint
ment has been strongly urged by Sena-
tor Bristow Of Kansas. while his stand
pat colleague. Senator Curtis. has been
backing District Judge Pollock.
Samuel ]. Elder. Boston lawyer, is
practically assured of place on the
commerce court.
The attitude Of the progressives has
resulted in causing the president to re-
turn to the consideration Of the federal
Judges who have passed on the Stand
ard Oil and other big corporation cases.
On account Of the fact that the Stand
ard OIL case is pending in the supreme
court he at first was disinclined to con-
slider for judicial vacancies any OF the
eight circuit jurists who decided
against that corporation.
Fight Oil Case Objection.
The progressives contend that this
appointment Of progressive judges and
iy the fitness Of the candidate during
the whole term OF service he will give
the country on the bench.
In his letter to the president Senator
LaFollette offered the suggestion that
supreme justices be selected who will
construe the constitution with due re-
gard to the interests Of the people.
eliminating from consideration those
whose legislative or judicial records
show them biased toward the special
interests, or whose legal connections
would tend TO prejudice their minds In
favor Of such interests"
The senator added he would support
Mr.. Taft's administration whenever he
found he could do so consistently and
would oppose 1t when he found 1t nee
essary. in accordance with his convic-
tions.
House Favors Waterways.
That in the house practically every
man is in favor Of comprehensive and
adequate legislation providing for the
improvements OF the navigable waters
Of the United States, and equally ready
to appropriate money for carrying or
the work" was the declaration made to
the rivers and harbors congress today
by Representative Champ Clark. He
advised the delegates to concentrate
their missionary efforts upon the SEN
ate and White House.
Governor Harmon, Of Ohio, expressed
full sympathy with the cause Of con-
gress, to which he pledged support
The waterways Of the country, he said
were free from monopoly by virtue OF
tine constitution OF the country, and
they offered solution for transporta-
ton difficulties which the railroads
declared they would soon be unable to
overcome.