The Washington herald., 1910-05-22
PUTTING ON THE SCREWS.
Tart and Department of Justice No
Lnggards I'm Prosecutions.


From the Pittsburg Gazette-Timcs.
President Tafts response TO the House
or Representatives, request for informa-
ton why it is inexpedient 70 press a Con-
sreSsional investigation Of the sugar trust
at TINS time is in harmony with the policy
he has pursued ever since he assumed
once IL has been said Of him that he
has gone after the criminal corporations
with more vigor than that which char
actefized the Roosevelt administration.
There has not been a great deal Of beat
ing OF tomtoms. and proceedings against
various combinations In restraint Of trade.
or for unlawful practices OF any kind.
DO not attract as serious attention or
cause as much excitement now as they
once did. when Mr.. Roosevelrs warfare
was new and novel. But neither Mr.
Fait nor his Department Of Justice has
been laggard. as the oil and tobacco peo-
pie can testify.
The House resolution furnishes the Pres
Ident an opportunity to remind Congress
and the country that this administra-
ton is living up to its duty and promises.
There never has been a time when the
sugar masnates were as hard pressed as
they are to-day. Large sums out Of
which the government was defrauded have
been recovered several minor and exceed
ingly dangerous offenders have been sent
10 prison; and the secretary Of the prin-
cipal refining company is even now az the
bar faced by a fate he has done the ut
most to- dodge. SO far from the govern
ment having faltered or halted. il has
pushed toward punishment, or at the very
least for a definition Of its powers. in
this sugar case and others. regardless Of
individuals. OF Of past political develop
ment or OF any influence whatever save
the letter Of the law
The plain truth is that. with respect 10
this particular resolution Of the House,
as IN several other notable problems OF
government and policy. Mr. TAFT and his
administration have been held Up 20
public contumely unjustly. Il has been
said, FOR example. that because Mr.. Taft
has surrounded himself with a Cabinet
almost entirely composed Of lawyers. the
administration is too remote from the
people. on tne surface and by appeal 70
classes. this may appear 20 be a fact
We are living IN a time when men are
set aside according 20 calling and classi-
fed thereby. Politics is auathema. par
tsanship is bad form, % hold office is 20
subject yourself To suspicion, 10 be rich
is 20 be unexpected. % have influence is
10 De dangerous. 20 be In Congress Is 20
be an agent OF the maIefactors. 10 he In
the Cabinet is 20 hold a special retainer.
and 20 be President IS 20 De q suspicious
character. But there Is one statement
that may be made truthfulIy I'm favor Of
the legal profession. and that is that
when its representative gets into place
OF definite and individual responsibility
20 the people he most generally makes
good. This has been noted time and
again in cases where the person concern
ga was not ideal iu his ethics nor scru-
pulous iH his practices; and vet he did
notably valuable service for the state.
in short. as long as we IN America have
Ia David j.. Brewer. from the plains Of
Kansas. dying fin service on the Supreme
Bench OF the United States with bur a
scant SEQ in his bank checking account.
and a Charles F. Hughes. plucked from
the flower OF the bar Of the great citv
OF New Iork-Where there 5s a fortune
in single fee-to 90 upon that bench.
we need not despair Of the legal fra
ternity any more than we do OF the Union.
And the same idea holds good with re-
spect 10 that other lawyer who is I'm the
White House and 20 the peoples coun-
selor. who is Attorney General IN this
matter Of sugar II YOU are in doubt.
inquire Of the oil people, or the tobacco
folk.