Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-08
President Taft Invited to At
tend the Gardner Dinner.
NOT. INFLUENCING COURTS
Executive Keeping His Hands Off
Railroad and Trust Cases.
SUGGESTIONS ARE RESENTED
Not Seeking Nor Does He Wish ANY
Information in Advance
| of Decisions.

President Taft was today invited to
attend the dinner to be given at the
New Willard Hotel February - by
the Commissioners and citizens of the
District to Representative Washington
Gardner. chairman of the subcommittee
OF the House appropriations committee
dealing with District affairs. The
President said he could not give an
attend. The committee of invitation
consisted Of Commissioner Judson,
John Il. Larner and Gist Blair
Ihe president also received an invi-
tatlon to attend a reception in New
YORK, to be given by the New York
commandery to the Military Order of
Foreign Wars. at which honorary MEM
bership will be conferred upon him. The
President held the matter open. The
committee consisted of Amorv S. Car
hardt, Talbot Root and Clinton Brain,
ana was introduced to the President
by Rear Admiral Glover.
Talking Over Ohio Matters.
The President today gave some time to
Ohio affairs. In the morning he talked
with l. Il. Langdon, floor leader of the
republicans in the lower house of the
Ohio legislature. Mr.. Langdon told the
President about what the republicans are
doing to embarrass Gov. Harmon.
In the afternoon the President con-
ferred with Senators Burton and Dick
about the nomination of federal district
Judge for the northern district of Ohio.
There Is little doubt that the President
would long ago have named L. G. Dem
man Of Toledo but for the opposition of
Senator Burton. The latter has no per-
sonal objection to Mr.. Denman. but in
sists that the vacant judgeship should GO
to Cleveland man, Cleveland being the
largest city in the district.
Resented at White House.
President Taft resents suggestions that
he should know what the United States
Supreme Court and the interstate com
merce commission are doing or about to
do in the big trust cases and the rail-
road rate cases. The Standard Oil and
American tobacco trust cases are pend
ing In the greatest judicial tribunal in the
land, and decision is expected at almost
any time within the next few weeks The
question whether the railroads will be
permitted to increase freight rates is be-
fore the interstate commerce commission
and its settlement is only short time
off.
There is widespread impression
that President Taft will be consulted
before the Supreme Court hands down
Its final decisions in these cases, and
that the interstate commerce commits
sion Will not announce Its decisions on
the freight rate cases until it has given
1nttmation of it's purposes to the Presi-
dent, with a view to ascertaining
whether he Is satisfied or dissatisfied
The business world is hanging upon
these cases with bated breath. Tn
questionable they are the most inpor-
tant cases the business of this country
has ever known. Their outcome is pos
sibly fraught with tremendous eOnse-
quences in all directions. Under these
circumstances it is not strange that
people should think the President
would be consulted, at least as to some
Of the details. The President, however
has said with Dositiveness that he does
not seek or wish any information in
advance as to the decisions in the trust
or rate cases, and that he would view
with regret the act of any judge who
undertook to impart this information in
advance.
UNFOLDING Highest Ideals.
In the days of President Roosevelt the
influence Of the White House was sc
dominating in all directions that it was
generally understood that everything and
everybody turned in advance informa-
ton to that chief executive.
This did not apply to the Supreme
Court. which maintained its traditional
dignity and secretiveness, although the
justices were frequent visitors to the
Roosevelt Offices and on intimate terms
with the President.
President Taft, by act and word, does
all within his power to uphold every high
ideal as to the functions, duties and
powers of the courts. He knows tina:
these tribunals would lose respect with
the people if they should forget their
dignity and practically report to the
executive branch of the government. The
President. too. regards the interstate COM
merce commission as judicial body
He wants the commission to pass upon
the rate cases without advice or sugges-
ton from him, and he does not want to
know in advance anything about it's plans
or intentions.