New-York tribune., 1911-02-24
THE EDAyIN WA SHTNGTON

, politcians warned him that any effort on
the part OF the administration 10 increase
the postage on magazines would incur the
bitter opposition OF these publishers. Mr..
| taft explained that the present rate was
so low as to constitute an enormous sub
sidy paid from the public Treasury into the
private Golfers Of the magazines. and that,
as the magazines were practically unani-
mously opposed 10 subsidies, they could not
consistently objec; TO an equitable read
! iustment Of the rates. RE further ex-
plained that. whatever might be the view
of individual publishers. they We're as n
whole far too bitterly opposed to anything
! that partook Of the nature OF lobbying TO
/ undertake to influence Congress in their
| own interests. Now that the magazines are
/ openly maintaining one of the most power
! fui lobbies over seen In Washington. and
are practically boasting in the public prints
Of the magnitude OF the fund they have
! raised 10 defeat the Presidents recommen-
dation, he has no explanation 10 make TO
those OF his political advisers who unkindly
say 81 told yCu so
/ NEED M0RC LIGHT.-Wnatever may be
the result of th- vote on the Lorimer case
tended with dissatisfaction. because it will
be so close that ii must fail 10 carry con-
/ vlction TO many sincere inqurers. To those
who have studied the evidence and listened
TO the debate it il obvious that through its
narrow conception Of it's duties the sub
committee charged with the responsibility
Of investigating the case failed utterly to
carry out the wishes Of the Senate and 10
present z groundwork upon which can be
based an even fairly general conception OF
rs merits. II is q fact conceded by both
parties 20 tho controversy that the sub
committee conceived II 10 be its sole duty
IN frs. the case presented against Mr.. Lori
mer by Chicago newspaper. and that'
therefore II made no effort, by following
10 their logical conclusions the various
nerts OF inconcusve evidence presented, 10
determine independently the validity or IN
validity of Mr.. Lorimer's election. That
further and comprehensive Investigation.
conducted by special committee composed
of both supporters and opponents of Mr.
1oriner. such Senators. for instance, as
Messrs Root. Lodge, Bailey, Paynter and
others. would result IN a report which
would command the support OF = two-thrds
or three-fourths vote in tho Senate ana
would carry conviction 70 the public can
hardly be gainsaid
SECRECY \ DRAWBACK.-It IS now
evident 10 the administration and To Seha-
tors that most Of the opposition, hoth
pollticaI and editorial, TO the now japanese
treaty. IS based on n misconcepiion OF that
convention. a msconccption practically IN
avcidahle because ~ tho secrecy WIN
which the terms Of the agreement nave
been attended Western Senators beheVe
that only the salient fact That this govern
nent had Yielded 70 Japan's plea for omis-
sion Of all reference 10 the immigration OF
her Iaborers had reached the Pacific coast
when the California Senate. trade councis
and other organizations adopted reson-
Nons of protest That the salient points
Of the treaty would become public 9s soon
rs If reached the Senate was inevitable,
and some Senators, notably those from
the Pacific Coast. are disposed to wonder
II it would not have prevented misunder-
standing and thus avoided trouble II the
Injunction 81 secrecy had been removed
not only from the treaty, but from the
attending resolution Of ratification. as soon
as the instrument was reported TO the
! 'til1aN'HA
relations in secret session Is probably ques-
toned by no Senator. but as 1t IS obviously
impossible 20 mainain secrecy regarding
conventions which must be submitted to
Senate committee composed Of ninety
two members, some Senators believe II
would he the part Il wisdom 10 make pub
lie the text Of most International conven-
tjons as soon as they are favorably re-
ported by the Committee on Foreign Re
lations. The most serious disadvantage or
such a course rests in the fact that u
would make possible, through tho com
parison Of a treaty as reported and as
finally ratified clear determination Of ths
amendments which the Senate may have
deemed # necessary 70 insert. and while
these things generally find their way into
the public prints under the present sys-
TEN. they do so with lack OF authority
and fdelty which precludes official cog
nizance by foreign powers. &. e. Il.