New-York tribune., 1911-02-26
tFrom The Tribune Bureau.l

CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS.-"
al recklessness" is the term the more con-
servative members OF the Senate apply TO
the pension legislation embodied in the Sui
loway bill which its supporters will make
determined effort to attach as an amend
ment TO the regular pension appropriation
bill. This measure. which was supported
by Speaker Cannon in the House-indeed
was passed largely as a result of his impas-
stoned oratary-has aroused so much oppo-
sition among the regular Republicans Of the
Senate that there is no chance OF passing
IL on its merits, and. moreover. the PTesi-
cent has let II be known that II II is sent 10
him he will veto it. Accordingly its sup
porters have determined TO attach II to the
regular appropriation bills. so that a veto
would make a special session imperative.
Now that special session appears TO be
inevitable however. that would hardly pre-
vent the Presidential disapproval, and II is
quite possible Mr.. Taft would veto il even
II he did not purpose TO summon Congress
In special session for other reasons. There
has been much discussion Of the political
results 10 those who oppose this legislation,
but If the measure were fully understood
opposition to 1t would, in the estimation OF
competent Judges, make for the credit
rather than the reverse OF those who nave
the courage TO take that stand. When the
people realize that since 1875 the govern
ment has spent for pensions $4,000, 600. 600,
or as much as has been spent for all other
purposes except the navy. and that PENSIONS
have cost the government more than the en-
tire military establishment they will, 1t Is
contended. be reluctant TO condemn those
who would forestall legislation which would
increase this burden incomparably. 1t is a
surprising fact that two Democratic Sena-
tors will vote for the Sulloway bill, and, 1t
is feared. will also vote 20 overrule the de-
cislon Of the chair that it is not in order
as an amendment TO the pension appropria-
ton bill. They are Senators Chamberlain,
Of Oregon and ShiveIy of Indiana All the
remainder Of the Democrats are expected 10
vote against the amendment or at least TO
sustain the decision of the Vice-President
The men who are leading the fight against
Lodge and Smoot,
MIGHT MEAN INCOME TAX.-The en-
actment Of the Sulloway pension bill would
make immediate provision for increased
this bill as it passed the House it would
entail an expenditure for pensions IN tne
next ten years Of s44o.o00,0cO. The Senate
committee has slightly curtailed Its proN-
s,ons. but even as IL has been reported 20
the Senate and is now on the calendar IL
would entail an expense OF s5So,"V'"p IN
the next ten years. The present pension
budget Is sl53,OO0000. The pensioners. as
Senator Scott teartully informed the Sen
ate recently, are rapidly dying Off. and
yet II this bill were passed the annual PEN
sion budget would have increased by 1913.
with considerably fewer pensioners than
there nov are, TO s2l000,0oo. The fiscal eX-
perts assert that such an Increase Wouio
make inevitable an income tax or some
other form OF special taxation. II Is, per-
haps. significant that the extreme "stand-
patters" are practically all lined up IN SUP
port OF this bill, from which II is assumed
that they would welcome the necessity OF
increased revenue as an excuse for ad-
vancine the tariff rates. Fortunately, there
is a determined effort TO kill this bill In the
Senate and ~ that does not prove success
ful II is certain TO meet with Executive dis
approval when il reaches the White House.
The argument Of certain Republican lead
ers in the House that it is good politics TO
pile I'D the necessities Of the government
because II would be the Democrats in the
next House who would have TO face the
deficit and impose special taxes, certain TO
be most unpopular. does not appeal 10 the
statesmen at the other END OF the Capltol.
THE JAPANESE TREATY.-President
Taft told some OF his callers to-day that,
in his opinion. the ratification of the new
treaty with Japan Is Of even greater i'm
oortance than the approval Of the Ca
radian reciprocity agreement The impor-
tance which Secretary Knox attaches 10
ihis achievement IS shown by the state
ment he made to-day, IN the course OF
which he said that this ratification was
especially gratifying because II so sig
naiiy reflects the cordial feeling Of friend
ship which America has for Japan. and be-
cause II will be rightly understood In Japan
a. one more OF the signs of the special
amity which this government has given
from the beginning of Japans relations
with the Western world" Senator Lodge
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