The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-25
BATTLE FOR PRESIDENCY
REVOlvES AROUND TAFT'S
I. ACTION ON WOOL TARIFF
Regulars, Insurgents and Demo-
Gratis All Seek To Gain
Advantage.
WILL BE BITTER FIGHT.
WILL BE BITTER FIGHT.
Politics, Not Legislation, Is To
Be Chief Issue in Congress
This Session.

| WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-The first
gun has been fred In the presidential
campaign, and members of congress
are hurrying home to spend the Christ
mas holidays and talk politics with
their constituents. says John Callan
O'Loughlin in dispatch TO the Chica
90 Tribune.
The gun was loaded with the mes
seges OF the president enunciating his
attitude on various matters OF intense
interest to the country The ammuni-
ton used comprised recommendation
for the settlement OF the trust ques-
ton, overissues OF railroad securities
revision OF schedule X OF the Aldrich
tarin law, abrogation OF the treaty OF
1882 with Russia, and finally a large
number OF matters ranging in impor-
lance from the Aldrich currency re-
form plan to an amphitheater in Ar
lington cemetery.
There remain for the president to
discuss the revision OF the cotton
schedule. second class postal rates,
employers liability. etc.
What has the president gained polit-
lcally by the expression OF his views?
The regulars do not conceal their sat
isfaction with most OF the opinions he
has expressed, though they have no In
tention of adopting the majority OF
them. The progressives do not con-
ceal their hostility to the presidents
plans. The Democrats are feeling
content, or claim TO do so.
The question OF regulation OF bust
ness has been dwarfed by the message
a. . H. III oh ndN a
The regulars, speaking through Sena-
tor Penrose, chairman OF the senate
finance committee, announce they Will
frame a bill for the revision OF *.
which will be in accord with the find
lugs of the tariff board and the recon-
mendations OF Mr.. Taft.
The progressive Republicans OF the
senate, who hold their position has
been sustained by the report Of the
board. are willing to join with the reg
ilars In passing an honest measure.
- Fear Another Bad Deal.
During the extra session the pro-
Kressiyes combined forces with the
Democrats in order TO get through a
wool revision bill. They felt they
we're badly treated on that occasion,
and they were unwilling to resume
the alliance. If they can they will
stay In the Republican fold this win
ter, but they must be dealt with fair
ly.
The Democrats OF the house Will
pass wool bill the latter part OF
january! By that time the ways and
means committee will have submit
ted it's report. The bill advocated
will not be materially different from
that reported by Mr.. Underwood dur
ing the extra session. 1t is the pur-
pose to bring in a special rule under
which debate will be limited TO a few
hours. Speaker Clary feels that. as
ample opportunity was given TO mem
bers to express their views last sum-
mer, IL Is not necessary TO take up
much time in going over the same
Did ground.
The Republicans will protest they
are being badly treated, and that con-
ditions are worse than in the gloom
lest days OF Cannonism But their
protest will avail nothing.
Politics will play an important part
In the determination OF the wool and
also the cotton duties. Ii will, indeed,
be the dominant factor In every bit
Of legislation considered. Take. for
example, the report or the nalOnal
monetary commission. which has been
approved by the president The pro-
pressive Republicans and progressive
Democrats are vigorously opposed to
The plan which bears the name OF
former Senator Aldrich. They claim
the president has merely given an
other Endorsement to the Rhode Is
lander beginning with the speech he
made in Boston some time ago, and
continuing from time TO time.
They say that while Mr.. Taft may
be gratihed at what Mr.. Aldrich has
done and is doing they are not, and
that they do not propose TO hang a
r,illstone around their necks by vot-
ing for the proposal of man whose
"malign influence" upon the govern
ment is a matter of public notoriety.
There Is no overwhelming senti-
ment in either house for immediate ac-
ton upon the federal incorporation
plan proposed by the president or for
the adoption OF the report OF the com
- ncr Al ITNyn AnnI