New-York tribune., 1912-02-21
From The Tribune Bureau
ua...o, TabrlIaT

Washington, FEBRUARY ~
TAFT FOR President
message on labor, sent to Congress '"-u"''
is regarded by some of the ablest me'''De'J
NJ Congress as one Of the most forcelu'
communications which Mr.. Taft mas SUI
nitted 10 that body. Not only does '"e
President speak forcefully in his adVoCa''
Of workmen's compensation and the eli''
iration Of that litigation which so olt'i
onerates 10 prevent the workingman or MS
family from procuring adequate coinpeiS"-
tion for injuries received, but he taxes up
and dIsposos OF in advance. ana In COZ
vincfng manner. certain legal objections
which otherwise were certain to he au-
vanced against the measure. While the
increased cost to the railroads Of the coun-
try as result Of the proposed Legislation
is estimated at approximately 2,JO'O" II
is also estimated that the Compensato,
afforded the employees would be increase
by approximately S,00OoOO. this difference
representing the cost Of collecting the coi''
pensation received by the wOrkingmen uL'
der existing conditions. Those VINO nave
examined the message and the accompany
ing report of the special commission aP-
pointed by the President to investigate thls
subject and devise a remedy FOR eNlsllhH
evils are impressed with the practcaplily
of the scheme and the great dement's whch
would inure from its adoption. The PreSi-
dent makes an earnest plea for legislation
at this session of Congress-a pea VIM"
no reitarates and which ne believes VIII ne
needed. in view of the fact that ms COM
mission was non-partsan Unfortunately
his optimism is not shared by some Oh 'i'e
leaders of his party, who fear tna' '"'
Democrats Will be unable TO rise u
height of craftsmanship which would over
look the political advantage when oo'i-
ouslv would accrue to the President were
such n measure enacted, and this despite
the fact that the political credit gained by
the Democratic House would he less OILY
I'm degree The fact that the President aP-
pointed on this commission lawyer Whom
he holds I'm as high estimation as senator
Sutherland whom he regards as ntted Cy
.temperament and ability for seat In the
supreme Court: that he also chose SEN
ator Chamberlain of Oregon. one Of tho
abIest Democratic lawyers in the upper
house. and Representative Brantley'
Georgia Democrat, who has proved his
legal ability I'm the House, shows Of itseit
the importance which the President at
taches TO this subject, while he is greatly
reioiced over his ability 10 urge upon Con-
gress a practical scheme which would DE-
strov in large measure that inequality be-
fore the law of the poor man who Is IN
iured in the performance of his duty whlch
has always been so abhorrent TO MI Isit'
OPPOSING ROOSEVELT.-While Presi-
dent Taft persists in his belief that e&-
President Roosevelt will not be candidate
and while Mr.. Taft is doing everything In
his power 10 prevent his friends from tax
ing any steps which might by any posSi-
bility be construed as an anront 10 ms
predecessor, the La Toilette forces are not
actuated bv the same faith or by the same
deIicacy. Evidence of this fact comes from
North Dakota AS l have repeatedly as
serted. both when the President was N
The vicinity Of North Dakota last fall ana
later in this column, the Presidents friends