New-York tribune., 1912-04-04
ROOSEVELT ATTACKS
TAFT AND COURTS

merits the cordial approval OF these gentle
men is not the kind of progressivehess
which We on our side champion. however
good the Presidents intentions, believe
entitled to the support OF precisely these
men. Take the most important bit OF les-
islation enacted by the last Republican con-
SIess-the rate bill. When this bill was
submitted by the administration IL was a
thoroughly mischievous measure. when
would have undone the good work that
has been accomplished In the control OF
the great railroads during the last twenty
years. In that shape Ii was reported out
OF the Senate committee by its ardent
champion Senator Aldrich. In that shape
ii was cnampioned by all the representa-
tives of privilege and special interest ana
II received the earnest support OF all those
gentlemen whom have mentioned who had
IL In their power TO give such support
But the Progressives In the Senate
amended the bill. against the determined
opposition of the reactionary friends of the
administration. They made It a good bill
by striking out the chief features of the
Dill as the reactionaries pressed II. Thsy
made but one mistake They lett IN the
and In its actual workings this feature OF
the bill has proved thoroughly mischleVous
and should be repealed.
Pure Food Administration.
The gentlemen in question and their allies
pure food and drug bill during the last
three years which has resulted in DR..
Wiley's resigning, because. as ne says IN
print the situation has become intolerable,
and the fundamental principles OF the food
ana drug act had one by one been para
lyzed and discredited. He specifically
mentioned among the interests engaged In
the manufacture of misbranded or adul-
tcratcd foods which had escaped from the
control OF the bureau the interests engaged
In the manufacture of so-called whiskey
from alcohol colors and favors." The gem
tlemen / have named and the great IN
terests back Of them, and their allies. like
Mr.. Tawney. of Minnesota, were responsl-
bic for the President abandoning the
Country Life and Conservation commits
Sions, which had cost the government moth
ing and had rendered invaluable service
to the country; and then also cordially APP
proved the nomination of Mr.. Ballinger 10
the position OF Secretary OF the Interior;
For two years the administration did
everything in its power to undo the most
valuable work that had been done in con-
servation. and especially in securing to the
people the right to regulate water power
franchises in the public interest. This effort
became so fragrant. and the criticism so
universal, that it was finally abandoned,
even by the administration itself. As for
the me, efforts to secure social justice in indus
trial matters. by securing child labor In
Vesugation, for instance, the administration
simply abandoned them completely.
Alike In It's action and in It's inactioh,
tue conduct OF the administrator curing
the last three years has been such as TO
merit the support and the approval OF
Messrs. Aldrich, Gallinger. Penrose. Lori
mer Guggenheim and the other gentlemen
have mentioned | do not wonder that
they support 1t, but | do not regard an
administration which has merited and
which receives such support as being en-
titled to call itself progressive, no matter
with what elasticity the word may be
stretched.
No men have been closer or more inter
ested students OF the career Of President
Tart than these men, no men better under
stand its real significance. no men better
appreciate what the effect OF the continu-
ance of this administration for another four
years would mean. ! believe that their
judgment upon the administration and upon
what its continuance would mean to the
people can be accepted. and | think that
their judgment, as shown by the extreme
reckessness of their actions In trying to
secure thc Presidents denomination. gives
us an accurate gauge as TO what the ad
ministration merits from the people and
what the action OF the people should be.