The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1911-01-13
TAFT HAS MANY
IRONS IN FIRE
He Is Wondering Which Meas
uTes Should Be Pushed.
HAS CLEAR TRACK IN 1912.
Republicans Think He Will Be Re-
nominated Without Opposition-New
Jersey Man Repudiates Road Bill
Bearing His Name-Diamond Shoals
Light Is Again Before Congress-.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Jan. Z. - Especial +
Upon which Of the several important
measures urged by President Taft
should be concentrated all the forces
at his command is a question which
has been discussed with senators and
representatives and other advisers
The president outlined 30 much IN
his message that congress was some
what bewfldered as 10 where 1t should
beafn. One result was that before the
holiday recess no attempt 10 begin any
thing was tried.
The impression seems 20 be that the
administration WIN concentrate upon
a permanent tariff board, ship subsidy
and conservation measures as about
an that can be passed IN tho next two
months.
Pfedgina Themselves For fsf2
One day an announcement came
from the White House gossfpe that
many pledges were being made for the
support of President Taft for the NOM
nation In 1912, and list of five men
who had that day announced them
selves for the denomination was given.
Then there was a quiet laugh among
politicians, for it was observed that
four of the men belonged to the Tame
duck brigade" men who for one rea-
son or another failed 10 come back to
congress, and the other was a man
that had q mighty serious time getting
through.
At the same time there is no Repub-
lican who thinks that there is the re-
hottest possibility Of any man but Taft
being nominated in 1912 by the Repub-
licans. In fact, most of them believe
that no other man will be considered
Few Freak Bills
congressman are not given TO the
introduction of freak bills quite as
much as they were few years ago,
name attached to one which provides
for the construction of national high
way mile wide from ocean to Osasn,
The New Jersey congressman says
that the bin was dropped IN tho box
with his name ON 1t without HIS knowl-
edge.
Several years ago the late Senator
Hanna put in a bin ''hy request
which meant that he did not indorse
it-that proved to be very troublesome
as It proposed 10 pay the expenses OF
all colored people who wanted 10 leave
the country. sharpers collected
great deal of money from the ignorant
negroes ON the strength of the bin.
Ohio Election Bribery.
Everybody In Washington is vey
much interested In the election bribery |
development In Ohio, especially as the |
sentiment among congressman against |
the lavish use of money is growing.
At present 1t appears that the dragnet
has caught many Ohio voters who
have sold their votes, but II would De
to know who furnished the
money and were the benefciaries OF
the bribery. Those who have discuss
ed the subject say that as long as
men who furnish the money for cleo
ton bribery go unpublished the evil
will continue.
Always Before Congress-
The Diamond shoal light OF cape
Hatteras, North Carolina, is perpet-
ual congressional problem There Is
always n bill pending for the consuuc-
ton of light ON that dangerous coast.
for the story Of the lighthouse Is one OF
continual failure. The government mas
built lighthouses which were washed
away, and private individuals ana cor
porations have had no better success.
Congressman Small has introduced a
bill authorizing four men TO Dulid
lighthouse on Diamond shoal, Tor
which the government IS 10 pay Sl'ooo'- I
300 when completed and IN operanon'
Provision is made that no payments !
Ire necessary unless the hghtnOuse 9
stays put" G
Can He Convince Tfenf
Jim Watson, who achieved collsio-
srable fame as a politician, surprised
his friends about the capital by tell :
ng them that a popular and winning c
ssue'in the middle west Vould DC .
hip subsidy TO restore the American .
marine. >
Whether the Indiana nan- NDo mas
IN earnest way of taikins' can con- a
Tfnce the members Of cO1Sress ron 3
hat section OF the count5 Is announcer
question Heretofore they nave not Y
'een inclined to support snything that
'ouid be labeled subsidy but II may
'e that they win look at 4 Inherently 4
'efore the end Of the pre~snt session q
Wsrshlps For the Coast y
Senator Perkins Of California, chair 7
nan Of the committee on naval affairs, =
ihares the usual feeling OF the men =
rom the Pacific coast b regard TO a o
arge navy. o
There ought 20 be no fleets one
n the Atlantic and tbs other on the n
'acihc side Of the Continent" be as
erted IN a recent statement and add D
d that there ought 70 Be about a dos- D
q battieships IN TIE Pscinc Heet- u