New-York tribune., 1911-02-18
THEDAyIN WAS SHINGTON

The Minnesota delegation. however has
mado every effort to evade its responsibility
and 10 induce the President TO decide this
delicate question. And the Presiden, has
decided. His decision reads like a legal
opinion banded down from the bench He
has reverted to the spirit OF the treaty
agreements. In a number Of instances he
holds that, the conditions which led to the
prohibition being no longer present the
treaties themselves are obsolete and that
there Is no reason why the federal govern
nent should interfere with the rights OF the
citizens Of the state to control themselves
in this respect. In other instances, where
conditions similar 20 those which obtained
when the treaties were entered into still
nrevail. he holds that the prohibition must
he enforced. In some instances he is COM
PEELED by the terms OF the conventions
themselves 10 refer the question to Con-
rress for decision. The Presidents political
friends are seriously frightened because OF
the possible effect of his decision-an effect
TO which he is wholly Indifferent. Some OBJ
servers believe. however, that. as in the
case Of the probable veto Of the Sulloway
pension bill. the people az a whole will too
greatly respect the courage and independ-
ence and he devotion to duty which Mr..
Taft has displayed TO permit his action Sc
riously to injure mis- political prospects.
PELAGIC SEALING. - The Department
Of State, as is proved by the treaty now
before the Senate, has finally yielded 10
the demand OF the Canadians that their
shippers be compensated for their losses IN
refraining from pelagic sealing. although
the extent OF this compensation IS limited
10 10000. This demand for compensation
has long been the chief obstacle 70 an
agreement putting stop TO pelagic sealing
by Canadians. The pending treaty Is, how
ever made contingent on the ratification OF
conventions of like character with Russia
and Japan like, OF course. except In the
matter OF compensation. There is strong
probability, however. that Japan will de-
mand compensation for her shippers. who
are much more numerous than those OF
Canada; and Russia may possibly pursue
the same course, so that IN the end this
country will be compelled 10 pay hand
somely for the suppression Of this industry.
However. as the Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor. by abrogating the private con-
tract under which the seal killing has
hitherto been done and by limiting the Kill
TO the surplus male seals has paved the
way. not only TO increasing the herd ma
terially, but 10 securing for the govern
ment handsome revenue, 1t Will doubtless
pay we'll 10 grant such compensation as
may be necessary to achieve the desired
end. With pelagic sealing abolished. the
herd will increase rapidly. and its proper
margin is certain TO yield 10 the govern
ment revenue of handsome and con-
stantly auglnentlng proportions.
LABOR FIGHT COMING.That bitter
labor fight over the provision Of the nava
appropriation bill repeating the eight-hour
law is inevitable is the conviction OF the
House leaders. This law has operated Sc
.. greatly to increase the cost Of naval con
struction that the House committee ha:
recommended its repeal. Representativ:
Hughes. OF New jersey, who secured the
adoption of the law, is determined to make
a vigorous effort to defeat the committee
accommodation. This recommendation
does not, Of course. refer to the eight-houl
law as enforced in the government navy
yards, but TO it's compulsory observance or
the part OF the contractors who undertake
the construction Of naval vessels. Repre-
/ sentative Hughes will doubtless enjoy th'
support Of Representative Fitzgerald. th'
4 ablest Democratic parliamentarian In tn
| House, who is angry because the Secre
/ tary Of the Navy has asked authority 4
make contracts for the construction OF al
| naval vessels in private yards. instead o
/ building one each year in the New Yorl
| Navy Yard. Because OF the close approach
| OF the end of the session the prospect o
anv fight as bitter As one involving th
| eight hour law is certain to strike terro
! to the hearts of those who are hoping &
! escape an extra session Of Congress.
/ .. G.. III