The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-19

Kansas City, Mo. Nov lS-Charles
Nagel, Secretary Of Commerce and Labor.
is the first member of President Taft's
Cabinet 10 express an opinion publicly
on the causes which led TO Republican
defeat in the recent elections, He dis
eussed that subject in a speech here to-
night before the Commercial Club.
Some folks thought they saw sly dig
at Col Roosevelt in Mr. Nagers crit
icisms of the time and energy that had
been wasted in the campaign on personal
controversies and on ''the heralding OF
extravaganza ideas"
Again, the Secretary referred in his
speech TO the lines drawn between 1.-THE
old doctrine OF States rights and the
most modern claims for national author
ity." remarking that in his opinion very
little had been done in the prediction
fight TO aid a clearer understanding on
the general subject of national authority
This indirect reference 10 the New Ma
Tonalism issue in the recent campaign
is the first time that any member of the
Presidents Cabinet has publicly referred
TO Mr.. Rooseyelt's hobby.
p" ANTS
The Secretary in his speech here to-
night also advanced important sugges-
tons for the upbuilding of the country's
foreign trade He would have the Fed
eral government profit by the experience
OF other countries and maintain a corps
OF expert agents for the collection OF in
formation for American manufacturers
wherever trade is possible. Furthermore,
he would have Federal Incorporation to
insure a central control over companies
enjoying foreign business privileges
through treaty agreements, and he would
also have the Federal government estab-
llsh a merchant marine
Here is what the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor had TO say about the
recent elections:
within less than two weeks We have
had a national election. While ii appears
that business has remained unaffected,
il must be admitted that In many parts
of the country the election was had IN
der stress OF very great excitement. In
fact, as the result is surveyed We prob
ably all agree that there is no one ground
for the decision. That there Is and has
been widespread dissatisfaction is I'M
doubted. The question is how far that
dissatisfaction bears a legitimate relation
TO politics and government There is rea-
son to believe that by degrees the de
mands upon government have outgrown
legitimate bounds. We certainly look 10
the government for the accomplishment
Of things that have heretofore been re-
garded as foreign TO it, There is an I'M
doubted disposition TO blame the other
man or to legislate for his regulation and
his well-being.
Modern Spirit Factor.
AT the same time it must not be over
looked that condition had arisen In this
country which called for decisive inter
ference by the government. The last
fifteen years have demonstrated 10 us
that conditions had become intolerable.
Confessedly, measures had to be resorted
20 of character that had heretofore
been unknown. We are now engaged IN
an attempt 10 find our balance between
the old reactionary spirit and the modern
often radical-spirit We are cropping
our way. and it Is needless to say that
in that attempt our safest guide will be
now, as 1t has always been. the Consti-
tuition Of the United States"
1t was at this point that Secretary
Nagel referred Indirectly 10 the B-called
New NatiOnalism issue in the last cam
paign. Said he:
There is one phase OF the last cam
paign which | think calls for serious and
rauona! consideration. and that is the
general subject of national authority. l
want TO address myself TO IL particularly
with reference to domestic and foreign
commerce. OF course. this subject viii
always be new, but 1t appears TO me that
during the last campaign very little has
been done 10 aid a clearer understanding
Discussion was directed TO draw the line
between the old doctrine OF State rights
and the most modern claims for national
authority. In my judgment nothing is 20
ne gained by such an approach 10 the
question"
The Secretary spoke of the feeling that
has always existed between States right
ers and federalists, but he added that
II is now time that the functions of state
authority and the national authority be
nationally considered and recognized in
accordance with the Constitution and tho
conditions that are 10 regulate il He
was neither a States Fighter nor a fed
eralist; he was believer in both. be-
cause he read the Constitution to mean
that the integrity Of both was guaranteed
and that the active cooperation Of each
is absolutely essential TO a successful
solution Of the problems confronting the
country.
Refers to Roosevelt.
1t was we'll along toward the close Of
his speech that Secretary Nagei made the
reference which was interpreted as re-
ferTing 10 Col Roosevelt Said he.
ITO refer once more TO the campaign
that has just been closed. il appears 70
me TO be deplorable that so much OF the
time and energy of those who partici-
pated In II was wasted upon questions
OF personal controversy; upon the herald
ing of eXtravagant ideas that can accom-
plish little beyond retaFding actual prop-
roSs; upon mere party controversy which
is In conflict with individual conyjctions
when we have questions of such gravity,
immediately confronting us that so far
have scarcely been given serious n,blic
consideration
The questions to which Secretary Naqel
referred were those OF commercial ev-
pansion. He declared that the deyelon-
ment OF the country's foreign trade is
one OF the things that the central gov
eminent viii have TO undertake actively
He said:
The national government ought TO do
with respect TO foreign trade. at least
what II Is doing at home for agriculture
We make no question of the appropria
lions for the Department of Agriculture
which are used to demonstrate how soil
may be employed acknowledgements. how
stock may be protected, how forests may
be saved; but We do not seem to cras,, !