New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-24
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

Justice 10 the President. and in the final
analysis. must work no inconsiderable an
noyance 10 members of Congress them
selves. IT is impossible for the President
to secure for this post man OF sufficient
calibre unless the salary is somewhat
commensurate with the responsibility and
the arduous character of the duties TN
like members of Congress, tho man who
fills this place cannot with propriety en-
gage in any other business He must
give his entire time 10 his work. and even
then the days, and even the nights, are
not half long enough On his capacity de-
ponds 10 inconsiderable part Of the suc-
cess of the occupant OF the White House
and 20 a very large extent the convenience
and comfort Of those who have 10 do bust
ness with the President. lie should be a
man OF political experience. He must be
man OF executive ability, infinite tact
and possessed Of a clear insight into hui
man nature. So arduous have become the
duties of tho President with the increased
growth of tho country that he rarely has
a moment free from obligation, and hts
secretary never has one. Under these cir
cumstances II is felt that il is highly I'M
lust 10 adjust his salary 10 that of men,
hers Of Congress, and that the disposition
10 do 50 argues 4 narrownes far from
credtable TO these statesmen
THE WRONG MR.. wICKERsHAM-
Considerable annoyance has been occa-
stoned the administration by an erroneous
report widely circulated, 10 the effect that
the Attorney General appeared on Satur-
day before the Public Lands COMMITTEES Of
the Senate and argued against the Nelson
bill, which provides for the leasing of
Alaska coal lands. This IL mistake easily
made, because OF the identity Of names.
but the witness who opposed the Nelson
bill was Wickersham the delegate from
Alaska. and not George W Wickersharn,
the Attorney General. Because of the
Presidents cordial Endorsement Of the leas-
Ing proposition in his annual message and
his subsequent advocacy Of this ieeisla-
ton. the news that the Attorney General
had appeared before committee of Con-
gress and opposed a bill in entire accord
with the Presidents views naturally occa-
stoned the greatest seurprise. That the
Alaskan delegate should oppose the admin
tstraton on the other hand, would occasion
no surprise whatever, as that has been
HIS stock in trade for considerable time,
and It is alleged, he won his reelection
by posing as the implacable enemy of the
Guggenheim interest in Alaska.
DIPLOMATIC REFORM-Senator Lodge
introduced in the Senate to-day the two
Louden bills, one of which was fully de-
scribed in these dispatches a few days ago
and which provides for classification of the
diplomatic and consular service, for the
conduct Of regular examinations and the
publication OF the results. a record Of ef-
fciency also 10 be made public. etc. The
other provides for the purchase of certain
embassy buildings abroad. There is little
or no hope Of favorable action on the
second at this session, but both the Presl-
. dent and the Secretary of State are most
anxious that the first should pass and are
doing all in their power TO promote that
end. The bill enjoys the cordial support Of
all who believe that merit rather than
political influence should prevail in the for
eign service, and this view has no more
earnest advocate in the Senate than Mr..
Lodge.
FOR JUDICIAL REFORM. 90 Senator
Root introduced to-day an amendment
which he will propose TO the Legislative,
/ executive and judicial bill and which places
at the disposal of the Supreme Court OF
| the United States, $4,000 TO be employed in
! tro work Of simplifying and making clearer
o., locedure in equity, admiralty and
/ bankruptcy cases. This is in accordance
with the recommendation n the Presidents
annual message, in which he called atten-
ton TO the fact that on the Supreme Court
rested a considerable part of the response
bility OF simplifying judicial procedure
In view Of the extraordinary streak OF econ
omy which is controlling Congress at this
session-except where pensions are con-
cerned-it would be unsafe to predict the
fate Of the amendment which Mr.. Root has
fathered. " u H.