The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-02-05

the belief TO be found In the talk OF
the Democratic leaders, that before
the end Of the present congress in
March. 1915. the powers of the board
which the president wants to have ap-
pointed will be largely increased and
that ultimately 1t will have a standing
equal to that of the interstate com,
merce commission.
The administration apparently has
felt that the Progressives Of the coun.
try, led by Theodore Roosevelt, would
say II had become a convert to their
views II 1t should recommend the es.
adjustment Of such a board as Colo.
mel Roosevelt and other Progressive
leaders have advocated from the first.
It is thought here that the Democrats
believe they can develop this Progress
sive plan so slowly as to take away
whatever capital the P%rogressives
may try to make out Of the admins
tration's apparent conversion to one OF
their policies. Already the Progress
sives OF the country are saying that
President Wilson has begun to steal
some of their thunder.
Making the Guilt Personal.
Today the leaders in congress are
still comforting on the matter Of
strengthening antitrust legislation so
as to make 1t certain that guilt can
be made personal. When Theodore
Roosevelt was president Of the United
States he was credited with saying
that dozens Of managers, superintend-
ents, head bookkeepers and other jun
Tors in big corporations could be put
into Jail for violation of the antitrust
laws, but that 1t would be little less
than criminal to put the little fellows
In Jail and to let the big fellows es-
cape.
Investigations by the attorney gen
erals department in the Roosevelt
and Taft days showed that the heads
Of great corporations which we're be-
lieved to be conducting business in
violation of the law had so covered
up their personal tracks that they
could not be followed by the law and
reached by its hand. One Of the worst
features OF the whole situation was
the Willingness OF the big men so to
arrange things that the responsibility
should fall on their subordinates. who
would have to go to prison If any
body went.
Now what the Democrats are trying
to do is to make the law so strong
that there will be a certainty when
there are law violations that the big
fellows can be arrested, after assur-
ance that the evidence is right to put
them behind the bars. Admittedly,
n of the hardest tasks which the
Democrats have is the framing OF a
law that will produce this result. Time
and again the guilt of the big men has
been known positively and yet 1t has
not been susceptible OF proof.
Colombian Treaty Not Liked.
Day by day the belief is grow
ing stronger in Washington that
the United States senate will refuse
to ratify the treaty with the Co
lombian government that the state
department has prepared containing
a provision for the payment to the
Colombians OF $25,000 900 for their
loss OF Panama and also containing a
paragraph of apology from this gov
eminent for having recognized the in
~nnn1n nF DnnaVaa Napnr nfphf -
Hannis Taylor, who is acting as
counsel for the Colombian govern
ment, is urging that the United
States not only shall, agree to pay into
the treasury Of the South American
country the sum of $25, 900, 900 for the
Panama strip, but shall further soothe
its wounded feelings by humble apol-
ogy for an act OF the Roosevelt ad-
m~inistratlon. Endorsed later by the
Taft administration and which many
senators and representatives seem
fully to believe has been lndorsed by
a majority OF r~ed.bl0oded citizens Of
the United States,
6aik Especially at Apology.
There are Republicans and Demo-
Gratis In the senate whose personal
and political relations with Theodore
Roosevelt are not warmed by the fires
Of affection. 1t will take a lot OF
pleading. however, to get these men
to vote a gift of S25. 900, 900 to the
Colombian people as payment for
something which many Americans
think did not belong to them. 1t cal
be said that from all appearances the
suggestion of an apology Is more re-
pugnant to the majority OF men in con
gress, irrespective of party afllia-
tons than is the thought of the pay
ment of money.
Why is the senate OF the United
States likely to refuse to apologize
the name OF this country to the
Colombians? There are plenty of
in the senate who would
ike to join with Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
IIannis Taylor in making IN apology,
we're II not for the fact that ever
since this government recognized the
Independence of Panama and thereby
offended the Colombians," Democrats
n congress have been voting for leg
station based on the very act of rec
ignition, The majority in congress
seemingly would make score Of It's
members ridiculous II 1t should vote
o give the Colombians a cent and
hey might stultify themselves II they
ihould vote to tender an apology.
Scared.