New-York tribune., 1912-01-18
THE DA WIN WASHINGTON

the philippines. where they have not paio'
ana also in Porto Rico, where there mas
been considerable agitation in favor or
disposing of the Improbable government
owned lines to some private individual or
corporation. And finally, as has been SAID
before in these dispatches, Mr.. Taft grave
iy doubts the necessity of such a radical
step now that he has obtained from Con-
gress authority to supervise the rates
charged for telegraph and telephone SER
vice, precisely as in the case of the rail-
roads. The Presidents attitude does not
involve any great measure of criticism or
Mr.. Hitchcock. because the President does
not believe that he took these things into
consideration, and, furthermore with char
acteristic modesty, Mr.. Taft assumes some
measure Of blame himself. because when,
several years ago, he rejected Mr.. Hitch
cocks recommendation he did so on the
ground that the postoffce had all ii could
do at that time, and failed to inform the
young man" of the other and more perma-
nent reasons which prompted his reJec-
tion Of the recommendation.
THE DEMOCRATS SLY.-In the opinion
OF those who have the interests Of the
army closest at heart, the supporters OF
the Hay bill are pursuing methods which
are far from open and above board I'm their
consideration Of that measure and the sub
ject TO which It pertains. They are hold
ing quas-executive hearings, and are re-
framing from printing the testimony for
public use, so that the most effective argu-
ments against the Hay schemes are not
being read and probably never will be-
1t Is believed that II they had the testi-
mony of those who have appeared against
the Hay bill before them many even OF
the Democratic members OF the House
would hesitate to adopt number Of its
provisions. Ultimately, the hearings may
be printed. but not in all probability, until
II is too late for them to affect the vote
of the House. The Democratic members,
assuming that their chairman OF the Mill
tary Committee is acting with both sim
ccrity and wisdom, will be prone to accept
his advice, and those arguments, advanced
by men competent to make them. which
would demonstrate anything to the con-
trary. will not be available. or course. tho
strong probability IS that the army bill
will bc framed behind the closed doors OF
the conference room. The House. with its
large Democratic majority. Is expected TO
adopt the bill as reported from Mr.. Hays
committee. The Senate will doubtless re-
iect the bill In its entirety and send a
simple appropriation bill TO conference.
There the final measure will he framed.
without public hearings. and without even
any public record Of the proceedings. The
Senate will be represented. not by Senator
Warren. one Of the Senators most able to
deal with questions affecting the army. but
by Senator du Pont. and probably by Sen
ator Dixon. Senator Warren stands next
10 Senator du Pont. the chairman. on the
committee. but 1t is feared that with the
pressure on the Senator from Wyoming
as chairman OF the Committee on Appro-
prations he will not he able to serve on
the military conference Altogether the
is most disquetIng to the friends
of an efficient army.