The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-11-24
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, November 20, 1911.

Il
Tariff revision should be vigorously
| pushed by the Democrats in the coming
session of Congress, but, at the same
! time, no effort should be spared to put
through legislation calculated to strength
Ell the Anti Trust Law This declara-
ton was made today by Senator CuIber-
son, of Texas, who is regarded as one of
the most thoughtful and level-headed
of the Democratic Progressives.
Senator Culberson has lust returned
here from his State, entirely recov-
cred from the effects af the long siege
of nervous trouble. which forced him to
retire from the floor leadership OF his
party in the Senate and has kept him
from his accustomed part of prominence
in legislation for nearly two years. He
is ready for the work of the winter,
which he believes will be arduous and
important and ought to be of substantial
benefit to the country if President Taft
does not again interpose vetoes TO pre-
vent the consummation of the Demo-
cratic legislative program.
The Senator, whose record as an ear
nest and unfaitering advocate of a revenue
tariff is without flaw. wanted the fight
for revision carried forward with all pos
sible energy and dispatch, but at the
same time he thinks that there should
be no neglect of the almost equally inn
portant question of amending the Sher-
man Antitrust Law, in wav that it
will correct what he regards as the weak
ening effect of the Rule of Reason"
read into it by the Supreme Court in its
Standard Oil and the Tobacco Trust
decisions
Senator Cnlberson introduced the first
bill presented in Congress last session
TO counteract the effect of he Supreme
Courts decisions and he means to push
this bill at the coming session. He be-
lieves that the demand for this legislation
is even stronger now than it was imme-
diatey after the Supreme Courts de-
cislons were announced and he regards
it as the duty of the Democrats in Con-
gress to respond to the demand.
Bernard N. Baker, of Baltimore, who
attempted to organize an independent
steamship line to operate through the
Panama Canal, told the Senate Inter
State Commerce Committee today that
financial interests had refused to back
the proposed line because they feared
injury to the transcontinenta railroad
securities. Mr.. Baker said that it was
difficult to prove any concerted opposl-
ton to an independent Panama line.
I'VE want to know whether the rail-
roads are doing anything to prevent this
competition" said Senator Cummins.
Il have not found any interest doing
anything directly contrary to law" said
Mr.. Baker, but have found objection
on their part to putting on any fast
steamship line by way of the canal.
They desire to control the route them
Selves
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
which is controlled by the Southern Pa
cific Railroad, Mr.. Baker said, is plan
ming to use the canal. He suggested
also that If the government would go into
the steamship business the Interstate
Commerce Commission would be able to
exercise absolute control over the trans
continental rate making since it could
make a lair rate on the coast to coast
business through the canal.
Conditions among the rank and file
OF the Republican party in Ohio makes
things look gloomy for President Taft's
future, according to the reports of polit-
lcal scouts who have just arrived in
Washington from the Presidents State.
The Republican party of Ohio is honey
combed with aggressive insurgency to
such an extent that only those who have
been on the ground taking careful obser-
votions can appreciate, these observers
declare.
They make the surprising assertion
that if the election of delegates to the
Republican National Convention were to
be held at the present time, Taft would
be able to carry but few counties out
side OF his home county of Hamilton,
where the Cox Machine is still in good
working order, even il Boss Cox himself
has ostensibly retired from the manage
ment. The Republican Insurgents are
reported to have perfected all over the
State first rate organization that is busy
day and night spreading the propaganda
OF insurgency. They are said to be
much better organized and more active
than III almost any other State of the
West. While they are not openly work.
ing for the nomination of LaFollette, the
Wisconsin leader unquestionably will
reap the benefits of their efforts, it is
said. AT the Progressive Republican
headquarters here it is admitted that
the reports from Ohio are encouraging
beyond all expectations.