New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-04
From Tie Tribune Bur"au.l
washin rton. il


WILL, rOp1vER TELI.?-A telegram
received from Senator Lorlmer TO-DAY ny
the chairman of the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections. in when ne ASKS tlat
he may be heard in his own behalf az the
coming investigation of the validity on ms
election. has aroused no small amount OF
curiosity In Washington close friends OF
Senator Lorimer have continually main
tanned that he could easily clear himself OF
all suspicion IL he would consent TO tell all
he knew OF the corruption in the Illinois
Jegi.,ature When asked why Senator
Lor,mer did not avail himself OF the op-
portunity and tell the facts to which they
referred they have replied that To do so
would involve betrayal Of Mr.. Lorimers
friends: that he had enjoyed the confidence
NJ many members of the Legislature ire
spective Of party: that he knew their meth
DDS and all the inside history Of tho legis-
lstive Jackpot" and that he could not
clear his own skirts without sending 10 the
nenitentiarv men who had been loyal 10
him. and incidentally. without DESTROYING
his own political influence by proving HIM
self "a bad pal" instead of "a man VINO
would never peach on de gang. MT.
Iorimer's opponents have accepted these
assertions with large grain Of allowance.
Some Of them have regarded the eXplana-
ton as the ebullition Of enthusiastic
friends. and others have somewhat sar-
casticaIlv suggested that the ethics in
volved so closely approximatod the famous
"honor among thieves" that. even If the
expla nation were correct. il hardly const-
,uted convincing proof of Mr.. Lorimer's
states Senate. Mr. Lorimer's request
at this early stage to he permitted
70 testify in his own behalf has. however,
served 10. revive the report. and there IS
considerable speculation az to whether ne
has decided to make clean breast OF al
he knows. regardless o. tho injury his dis
closures may work 10 the liberty of his IN
Inmates and supporters.
SOCIALISTS GRATIFlED.-Whe asked
rocontIv precisely what constituted the aim
Of the Socialist party in this country, Repre-
sentative Victor Berger. the first and only
representative of that party in Congress
replied: Federal ownership of the trusts.
II is hardly necessary 10 add that Mr.
Berger and those Of his school are extreme
" eratined TO see President Taft ex-Presi-
ROO9cNpl'.
States Steel Corpora ton, and other influen-
tial men advocating even federal super
vision and control of the trusts. Ihere IS
however a radical difference between the
Socialistic ideal and the policy advocated
by these men, precisely as there is raui-
cal difference between government owner
ship Of railways and the federal control
exercised lay the Interstate commerce ON
mission Members Of tho Interstate com
nerce Commission are frank 20 assert That
they find il far from an easy task To SATISFY
the public with the limited functions they
have TO perform in connection with mo
TRANSFORMATION companies, and they 1nu-
mate that the surest and most eXpeditlouS
vav TO send Uncle sam 10 an insane asN
Inn, would be 10 make him, not only the
servant Of all the people in the matter w
transportation. but the employer as W."
If the great army Of men necessary 10 car
rvine on the functions of transpor''''o'
Under present conditions II is IN easy gu"
comforting pastine to abuse the boss
sort of safety valve which woulu ~ "
stroved II the boss" were inc soNe'"
nert especiallv in country Wnele t'o
mamie are sovereign. What IS no" p'e'S-
ure and relief would then necoile "'i
unsatisfying, not 20 say hunliilauns'
of entertainment. a fact which Nj Berger
and his friends appear wholly TO oVeIiooh'
TRIALS OF A PRESIDENT.-Preside
ia f. will soon be confronted by another Try
,n,, situation growing out OF the pardoilihs
nouer of the Executive. \ NSNnlns '''
r.cress has been convicted Of numbering
~ husband and sentenced TO be hanged
j., local newspaper has started senu-
mental campaign TO prevent the na"-'n
of q woman in the District OF 'olu'I'D'"'
on. Representative caleb Powers. oI MN
.,,crr has undertaken 10 make apphca'io"
o. rsrdon or Communication OF sentence
.,,,o,,cb tho Department Of Justice ne nav
49,. 0rs, called on the President in cohilec'
49,, a.;,b tho affair, and by him referred y"
mat department. II appears tha' '"'S =
,ha Graf instance OF d woman peliis -"
..,,,od N he hanged by the civil COURTS -.
40 instruct. the only previous instance Vi
s,,cb a hanging here having been 'he o'S
~ Mrs Surratt convicted ana
-. military court for complcity III inc
.ase,,a,ion Of President Lincoln. haN'ns
No., Judge. there is little prooaoii,S va,
pr.sident Taft will yield TO the seh.'ine','''
aida ., the argument That he Will 'ne
s,stdo,c. warrants 1t. gladly commute ,no
sentence TO life imprisonment Is certain